One of Portland's oldest neighborhood associations, the DNA was formed in 1977 to improve the livability of the central city.

Membership is free and open to anyone who lives, works, owns property, or attends school downtown. (The DNA's boundaries correspond roughly to the I-405 freeway, the Willamette River, SW Stark Street, and W Burnside Street).

Issues of recent concern include:

• affordable housing
• environmental quality
• parking
• public transit
• land use
• economic development and job growth
• homelessness
• crime prevention
• support for locally-owned retail businesses
• construction of new buildings
• preservation of historic buildings
• pedestrian safety
• noise
• parks and public spaces
• streetscapes and walkability
• quality of life
• social and economic diversity
• community cohesion

Among other acitivities, the DNA:

1. organizes public meetings, forums, and discussions on issues that affect the quality of life in downtown Portland
2. adopts positions on issues of community concern, employing a variety of strategies to advocate for those positions
3. sends representatives to city bureaus and planning groups that deal with parks, transportation, development, urban renewal, housing, homelessness, and other significant public issues
4. coordinates social gatherings, such as ice cream socials, group rummage sales, picnics, and concerts in the park

DNA Email List [UNDER CONSTRUCTION]
Sign up for the DNA's low-volume email list. You'll receive occasional messages limited to brief announcements about upcoming PDNA meetings and events. [We promise not to share your email address with anyone.]

DNA Online Discussion Board [UNDER CONSTRUCTION]
Click here to participate in online discussions of downtown issues and DNA activities.