But now a "weird and wonderful" arts festival called b-side involving scores of artists, international and local, should show off this out-of-the-way spot in a very different light.
"Portland has a vibrant community and a strong artistic scene," said the festival's director, Rocca HollyNambi. "The place is magical - but it's also got the Bibby Stockholm here, it's got two prisons, it's been constantly quarried. It's been done to a lot. Through the arts we're trying to set up stuff we can do together."
The event, which begins on Thursday, will include a community parade under the banner Keep Portland Weird and Wonderful. Some may take the chance to express views on the barge. "There will be people who will want to use that to state their position," said Holly-Nambi. "We've got to let that happen."
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