Good Afternoon,

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the warmth and connection that summer brings to our communities. This week’s newsletter is full of important updates and opportunities to stay informed, engaged, and connected to the work we’re doing across District 1.

From the upcoming closure of the Gateway Fred Meyer to the approval of the Parks Levy and our invitation to you for the District 1 Office Grand Opening, each update reflects our shared mission: to build a more equitable, vibrant, and responsive East Portland.

I also invite you to join the PCCEP Listening Session to ensure your voice is heard in conversations about safety, accountability, and justice. And don’t miss your chance to connect with neighbors at Sunday Parkways, a day of joy and movement for the whole family.

Thank you for being a part of this journey. Let’s keep showing up for one another and for the future we’re building-together.

In service,

– Councilor Loretta Smith
Portland City Council – District 1

The Gateway Fred Meyer is set to close in September 2025, and I know this will be a devastating loss for East Portland. This isn’t just the closure of a grocery store, it’s the erasure of access, the disruption of families, and the displacement of workers who rely on living-wage jobs to survive.

Last year, I stood shoulder to shoulder with employees on the picket line, fighting for fair wages, job protections, and corporate accountability. My message was clear then, and it remains true today: East Portland workers deserve better.

Just last week, my team returned to Gateway Fred Meyer to hear directly from the people most impacted — employees and community members who are now left wondering how they’ll make ends meet. We talked about food access, financial stress, and the broader impact this closure will have on our neighborhoods.

“We deserve better treatment from our corporate partners. Our neighbors deserve better.
Shame on you, Fred Meyer.”

This moment is a painful reminder that we must continue to fight for local investment, worker protections, and corporate accountability. I will not stop advocating for economic justice and meaningful reinvestment in the communities that need it most.

Last week, I proudly voted in favor of the $1.40 Parks Levy, which was approved by Portland City Council and will appear on the November ballot.

This levy is about more than just funding—it’s about our shared values. It supports safer, cleaner parks and accessible recreational spaces for every Portlander, especially those in historically underserved neighborhoods like ours in East Portland.

Last year, I joined neighbors at Luuwit View Park alongside Oregon Walks to promote walking, wellness, and community connection in public green spaces. I believe every child deserves a safe place to play, every elder deserves a shaded bench to rest, and every family deserves access to nature in their own neighborhood.

This levy moves us one step closer to making that vision a reality.