Nearly two decades before he was elected to the Portland City Council, Mitch Green had his sights set on a different career: Hot dog vendor.

Green was studying economics at Portland State University at the time, and eager to start a business. So when he saw a hot dog cart for sale on Craigslist for $1,200, he didn’t hesitate. But, despite purchasing the cart, his plan to open a hot dog stand (named “Greenies Weenies”) on a Northwest Portland sidewalk was cut short when he learned he needed permission from the adjacent property owner to operate — and they wouldn’t give it.

“I thought it was pretty absurd,” Green, now a city councilor representing Portland’s westside and some inner Southeast neighborhoods. “But that was a roadblock I couldn’t get over.”

He’s still not over it.

This week, Green is introducing a proposal to remove the bureaucratic barriers that he claims stifled his business dreams.

“There’s a whole array of economic problems at the federal level right now, but these are outside of our control, right?” Green told OPB. “One of the things that we can control is whether or not we’re making it really impossible for people to do something so simple, and I would argue joyous, as to run a small sidewalk cart.”

Portland is decades into its street food movement. It’s synonymous with the food cart culinary explosion that has spread nationwide. But there are few, if any, sidewalk vendors operating in Portland. Most that pop up outside Moda Center events or downtown concerts are unlicensed, posing potential public health risks and dodging the annual $150 permit fee to the city.

Green’s ordinance would do away with the city requirement for vendors to get consent from adjacent property owners to run a sidewalk business. It would also lift restrictions that prevent these vendors from operating outside of a similar business — like a flower vendor setting up outside a florist shop. And it would allow street vendors to operate in neighborhoods zoned for residential development, where businesses aren’t normally allowed to operate.

It’s a divisive proposal. While Green and other councilors see an opportunity to boost small businesses and foot traffic as vacant storefronts become commonplace in once-bustling commercial districts, business advocates see a threat.

“Removing property owner approvals and proximity restrictions is a grave concern given what our industry has been up against in the post-pandemic environment,” said Jason Brandt, president of the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association.

Although foot traffic in downtown Portland has begun to pick up after a sharp decline during COVID-19, Brandt said that the more permanent pandemic-era shift to remote work has continued to hurt downtown restaurants.

“On top of those headwinds, if we have competing businesses opening up who haven’t made the same long-term investments that brick and mortar restaurants have made, it introduces a host of challenges for Portland’s economic recovery,” he said.

Jon Isaacs, vice president of the Portland Metro Chamber, shares Brandt’s concerns. Isaacs pointed to the city rule that requires property owners to manage and maintain the sidewalks adjacent to their property.

“To say they’re responsible for that but they have no consent over businesses operating in that area?” Isaacs said. “It will become unmanageable.”

Yet Isaacs said he wants to make it easier for street vendors to work in Portland, as long as it’s not hurting other businesses. He’s meeting with Green to propose tweaks to the ordinance before the Tuesday council meeting.

Unlike Green, Margo Childs has spent decades in the hot dog business. Her East Burnside restaurant Franks-A-Lot has weathered several economic crises since 1993. As it returns to pre-pandemic sales, Childs worries how street vendors could hurt business.

“If there is a vendor that is able to park right on the corner and sell cheaper hot dogs, I might be a little upset,” she said. “Especially if their customers came over and used our ketchup. On the other hand, if Franks-A-Lot had a cart and was allowed to be set up next to a park, I’d be interested in that.”

Few parks in Portland are in locations zoned for commercial use. But Green’s proposal would allow sidewalk carts to operate in those areas.

Ryan Hashagen is more certain his business will benefit from the ordinance. Hashagen is the founder and CEO of Icicle Tricycles, a Portland-based cargo bike manufacturer that specializes in making bikes for street vending — anything from ice cream to books. Because of the strict limitations on vending in Portland and other Oregon cities, the vast majority of the cargo bikes he builds are shipped out of state. Only 3% of his bicycle sales are in Oregon.

In Portland, Hashagen sees a missed opportunity.

“This city’s strategic advantage is creative entrepreneurship,” said Hashagen, who is also on the board of the Old Town Community Association. “Sidewalk vending allows for businesses to test out concepts, throw things at the wall and see what sticks. That’s what Portland does best.”

Hashagen said he’s seen several small bike vendors move into leasing a commercial space after gaining a customer base, similar to beloved Portland food carts that have opened brick and mortar establishments. He sees more street vendors helping — not hurting — the city’s economy.

“I am a firm believer that a rising tide lifts all ships,” said Hashagen. “Having a more vibrant and activated city downtown, where more people have economic opportunities and new ideas, will make Portland a hub for innovation.”

Green, whose District 4 includes downtown Portland, agrees.

“Downtown is the economic engine for our city,” he said. “I want it to be a place where we’re seeing a lot of opportunities for people to make money and for people to have a good time. And eating hot dogs is a great time.”

His office has crunched the numbers on hot dog sales alone, and estimates that a 10% increase in hot dog vending in Portland could boost economic activity — through sales, income, and other revenue — by roughly $6 million. Green also suggests this increased business could boost state and local tax revenues by up to $200,000. And, amid the city’s budget woes, the rule change could see an increase in permit revenues.

In Portland, street food vendors must be licensed and inspected by the county health department. If Green’s policy increases the number of food stands in Portland, it will increase demand on health inspectors. A spokesperson with the Multnomah County Health Department said the city hasn’t consulted with them on the proposal yet.

Green will introduce the proposal at the Tuesday Arts and Culture Committee meeting. He’s hopeful his colleagues will see the opportunity in street vending that inspired him in 2007.

And will he ever return to the hot dog business?

“I’m prohibited from doing so while I’m in office,” said Green, who is up for reelection next year. “But the good people of Portland have a distaste for my style of politics, then you know where I’ll be.”

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/09/22/portland-city-council-politics-government-mitch-green-street-vendors-food-restaurants/