The People’s Free Space — a Portland grassroots community organization — is finding that space, in fact, is not free. The building they rented and renovated last May went up for sale in December, barely three months after its grand opening. (See “Free to Be, You and Me,” September 16, 2005, by Amy Martin.)
Although the future of their physical space is uncertain, change has motivated organizers to brainstorm new alternatives.
“We really came to see that renting in Portland is unsustainable,” said outreach coordinator Jonah Fertig. “We’re not a business, we’re a community group. And a lot of landlords want conventional tenants in their building.”
The Cumberland Avenue location is the second property that the Free Space has rented, only to see it go up for sale shortly thereafter. (See “Gentrify Portland,” December 31, 2004, by Alex Irvine.) Funding coordinator Jen Hodsdon is concerned that such a lack of control over their space is a detriment to the organization.
“It’s not a good way to build community,” she said.
The vision they have right now, said Fertig (who is spearheading the project for the time being), is for a cooperatively owned community building in Portland with the capacity to house the Free Space, as well as a co-op grocery store, office space, studio space, and even co-op housing.
“We know there are a lot of organizations, businesses, and individuals who are renting spaces,” said Fertig, adding that the co-op ownership model might be feasible, “if we could pool those resources together.”
Organizers recognize what a huge undertaking it would be, and they say that the only way it will happen is if multiple interests can collaborate. But, said Fertig, cooperative ownership has worked in other cities across the country.
“One of the bigger hopes in buying a building,” he said, “is that it will initiate and inspire more cooperative ownership in Portland.”
Right now, they’re in the “talking stage,” said Fertig. They’ve been speaking with other groups in town, and holding workshops and meetings to discuss the establishment of a food co-op, in the wake of the Whole Foods buyout of the Whole Grocer. (See “Veggies in Chains,” February 3, by Brian Duff.) They are keeping plans intentionally rough, he said, so that they can stay open to ideas from other organizations.
In June, the Free Space will hold another meeting to discuss the food co-op. A meeting to discuss the cooperatively owned building will be held later in the month. For dates, times, locations, or to offer a donation, email info@peoplesfreespace.org
