CBRE | The Boulos Co. donates $45K to fight Portland graffiti
Photo / Courtesy of Kelsey Goldsmith
Portland Mayor Michael Brennan (left), CBRE | The Boulos Co. Managing Director Drew Sigfridson and LearningWorks Executive Director Ethan Strimling stand next to a Graffiti Busters truck on Wednesday morning.
In an effort to protect Portland’s property values, real estate firm CBRE | The Boulos Co. has donated $45,000 to double the graffiti removal efforts of a local nonprofit.
CBRE | The Boulos Co. said Wednesday morning that it’s making the donation to Graffiti Busters, a graffiti removal program administered by Portland-based nonprofit LearningWorks. The donation will allow Graffiti Busters to expand its staff and purchase a new truck at a time when requests for graffiti removal across the city are said to be on the rise.
“Our business is commercial real estate, and buildings are our lifeblood,” Drew Sigfridson, managing director of CBRE | The Boulos Co., said in a statement. “When developers and business owners come to Portland to grow their business, hire people and invest in property improvements, the economic benefits ripple throughout our city. Graffiti leaves a terrible impression on residents and visitors and devalues the city.”
Citing national real estate experts, CBRE | The Boulos Co. said in its Wednesday announcement that graffiti can lead to reduced property values in entire areas. Sigfridson said that’s why he is asking property owners to “remove graffiti as soon as it appears,” adding that “removal within 24 to 48 hours results in a nearly zero rate of recurrence.” Sigfridson said people can report graffiti by calling the Graffiti Busters hotline at 207-775-0105.
LearningWorks Executive Director Ethan Strimling said the new partnership “comes at a perfect time, because reports of graffiti removal in the city are on the rise.” He said this year’s number of requests have already reached 169, more than the 137 reported last year from April to November.
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