I'd actually be really interested in the ideas of closing certain streets in and around the trendy third area to "local only" traffic... i.e. the people who lived on the street.

Place gardens in the center streets with "local traffic only" signs and such, but make em' nice.

I think it would drastically reduce the "danger" of the streets over here. Now that I've lived over here for a while I notice how much more difficult it is to be safe since being the SW Portland area. If you're walking, biking, or driving it is extremely difficult to gauge and to view all of the vehicles coming and going at cross streets. You can only slow down and edge out into the street to view but so long, eventually one has to bite the bullet and plunge into or across traffic.

Instead of closing active commercial streets once a year or so to motorized traffic, we should be working to slow motorized traffic down every day of the year...start with standard 20 MPH signage, then design that includes marked crosswalks, curb extensions, different pavements, all the usual stuff that tells folks in their cars that they have entered a different kind of space.
This has been done successfully all over the world. We just need to get PDOT to put the safety and welfare of those who live, work and do business in commercial districts ahead of drivers trying to get through to somewhere else. For all the talk, PDOT consistantly favors via design through motorized traffic over all modes of local movement.