OPINION: Portland’s Ben Hufford wants to create a place where people want to be

Published 9:04 am Friday, September 27, 2024

Every politician secretly thinks they are a hero. The not-so-secret reality is that politicians don’t actually fix anything. So this election, as Portland puts up a bat-signal for help, let’s stop looking for people who just want to be something.

If we want to create a city where people want to be, we should instead look for someone who knows how to do that. Simply put, it’s about time we hired an architect.

That’s what I am. My name is Ben Hufford and for the last 28 years I have been a successful architect and small business owner here in Portland. I’ve worked to create many places you’ve no doubt been — from light rail to iconic breakfast spots and pizza joints. I love this city, and I need to do something to help it get back on its feet.

That’s why I’m setting aside my business responsibilities to run for City Council. I am the ONLY candidate in the top 12 fundraisers who is coming from the private sector. That’s right — all the others are public sector or non-profit employees. There’s nothing wrong with those people wanting to help, but there IS something wrong with a government run entirely by people who don’t actually know what it means to HAVE to get things done, on a deadline, with a budget. That is what an architect does.

For at least the last 8 years, Portland has been taking whatever path is right in front of it. And the leadership and innovation that was behind Portland for so long has become something else: tired repetition, meaningless studies, and empty words from our electeds and no solutions. Portland needs a Plan!

● An architect makes plans. Architects design and plan urban landscapes, schools, housing, and more. Before launching into unproven efforts that probably won’t work, an architect has to plan and coordinate systems — so that the project works.

Portland has to address homelessness, housing affordability, and downtown revitalization. Portland needs Action!

● An architect takes action. Can you think of a recent project where a politician was successful in planning and building a new shelter? Building housing? Urban design? I can’t. You might as well ask kindergarteners to plan our city. Portland’s most urgent problems need action: urban design, building shelters and housing we need, actionable policy. An architect makes things happen.

Leadership in Portland is all ideological talk and no action. Portland has problems to solve that involve many people and different goals. We need leaders who can bring people together and get things done. Portland needs results!

● Architects get results. An architect brings financial partners, clients, builders, contractors and the public users together to make places people want to be. Not everyone has the same goals but a project is only successful if the various groups work together to complete the project. Getting results is what drives me every day.

Yes, we need the skills of an architect to help our City. If you want the planning skills of an architect who delivers results, I want to be that leader on city council, and I need your help to get there.

If you’ve made it this far, thank you, I know that this message is resonating. Here is what you can do to hire an architect to the City Council next year. I need your vote. If you live in District 4, ranking me as your No.1 choice will matter quite a bit in this crowded race.

We’ll never change what comes out of City Hall if we don’t change who we elect to office. Thank you for your support.