The upcoming closure of the Gateway Fred Meyer in Northeast Portland has left many residents devastated. For over 70 years, the store has been a cornerstone of the Hazelwood neighborhood, providing groceries and essentials for thousands of families. With its scheduled shutdown in September, community members are calling for urgent action from city leaders.
A Neighborhood Without Its Anchor
Residents say the closure is more than the loss of a grocery store; it represents the decline of an entire shopping district.
“The Gateway Shopping Center has been in decline for years,” one longtime homeowner wrote. “Except for TriMet’s recent improvements at the Gateway Transit Center, we’ve seen little effort to revitalize the area.”
For families who rely on the store for weekly groceries, the closure raises concerns about both convenience and affordability.
A Call for Innovative Solutions
With Portland facing high living costs, residents are urging the new mayor and city council to think creatively. One proposal draws inspiration from New York City, which is considering a network of city-owned grocery stores to help stabilize prices.
“Let’s pilot something like this right here at Gateway,” the letter suggests. “Our community needs access to affordable food, and this is an opportunity for Portland to lead.”
Addressing Broader Community Needs
The closure also highlights deeper social challenges in the neighborhood. Just blocks away, the BottleDrop on Northeast 122nd Avenue often sees long lines of Portlanders carrying bags of cans and bottles for redemption. Many of them, residents say, are struggling with addiction.
“Sadly, a group of drug dealers stands by, ready to take advantage of them,” one reader observed. The suggestion: deploy outreach workers and police officers to connect vulnerable individuals with services, offering help rather than allowing cycles of exploitation to continue.
Local Action Amid Federal Cuts
Residents also worry that local hardships will be compounded by federal decisions. With recent cuts to health care and food stamp programs coming from Washington, D.C., vulnerable families in Portland may face even greater difficulties.
“In this moment,” the letter argues, “we need urgent and courageous leadership from our local government.”
A Chance for Bold Leadership
Community members are clear: the Gateway Fred Meyer closure is not just about losing a store but about what the city will do next. Whether through pilot programs like publicly supported grocery stores, targeted outreach to vulnerable populations, or broader neighborhood revitalization, residents are asking leaders to step up.
The closure, they say, must serve as a wake-up call. If city officials act decisively, Gateway could become a model for how Portland addresses both economic and social challenges at once.
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