While its larger neighbour Portland grapples with significant challenges, the Oregon city of Beaverton is being hailed as a model of proactive governance and thriving community. Its mayor, Lacey Beaty, has detailed the strategic ‘hard work and planning’ she credits for the city’s resilience and growth.
The Blueprint for a Thriving City
In a recent interview, Mayor Beaty, who is Beaverton’s youngest and first female mayor, dismissed the idea of a ‘secret’ formula. ‘What I would tell you is it’s hard work and planning,’ she stated, pointing to targeted strategies for attracting restaurants and a decade-long push to establish a performing arts centre.
This focused approach has contributed to Oregon being ranked as the number 11 growth state by U-Haul, with Beaverton alongside cities like Tigard, Happy Valley, and Bend driving that success. Beaty attributes the city’s appeal to its safety, cleanliness, and responsive governance. ‘We’re addressing issues head-on,’ she affirmed.
Partnerships and Proactive Projects
Central to Beaverton’s strategy is its collaboration with major local employers and smaller businesses. Beaty highlighted ‘greatest partners’ like Nike, Columbia Sportswear, and Reser’s Fine Foods. This cooperative spirit extends to community projects, such as the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, which has become a cultural hub for Washington County and boosted nearby restaurants.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Nike’s partnership with the city facilitated one of the largest private vaccine sites in Oregon and the entire country. The mayor emphasised that the city pays ‘a lot of attention’ to the business climate, understanding that a healthy ecosystem benefits everyone, from corporate giants to mom-and-pop shops.
Confronting Statewide Challenges Head-On
Beaverton is not immune to the pervasive issues affecting the region, notably homelessness. Statewide, the 2025 Point-in-Time count recorded 27,119 people experiencing homelessness across Oregon, with nearly 61% unsheltered. While Multnomah County (Portland) reported 10,526 unhoused people, Washington County recorded 940.
Beaty explained Beaverton’s response is guided by dignity and speed. The city opened Washington County’s first year-round shelter, which hosts around 60 beds and boasts an ‘incredible track record’ of moving people into permanent housing. A dedicated bike team of four officers patrols the downtown area to engage with people humanely.
This focus on safety and efficiency has tangible economic benefits. Beaverton boasts an office vacancy rate of just eight percent, significantly below the national average of 15%. ‘That’s why businesses are locating in Beaverton,’ Beaty said, citing the ‘concierge level service’ the city provides.
Political Tensions and Local Control
The mayor also addressed political friction, condemning recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests. Beaverton, Oregon’s first sanctuary city, has become an ‘epicenter’ for such activity. Beaty argued these actions erode community trust and public safety, stating ‘[ICE] are making our streets unsafe… They’re bringing chaos.’
She revealed discussions with other cities about collectively suing the federal government, asserting the importance of local control. ‘We’re not going to allow a federal government to come in and just take money back because they disagree with the local leadership,’ Beaty declared.
Raising her daughters in the city, Mayor Beaty concluded that she works hard every day to improve her family’s hometown. ‘I want them to be proud of it,’ she said, encapsulating the driven, community-focused ethos she believes defines Beaverton’s success story.
