The selections, one in each Council District, were chosen by a selection advisory committee made up of staff from several bureaus and Prosper Portland out of nine total groups requesting ESD exploration support. The first group of two will begin ESD exploration efforts in July 2025, with the second group of two beginning in early 2026.
Selected Requestors
First group – work beginning July 2025:
- Parkrose via Historic Parkrose (District 1)
- St Johns via St Johns Boosters (District 2)
Second group – work beginning January 2026 (resource dependent):
- Division / Clinton via Division Clinton Business District (District 3)
- Pearl District via NW Community Conservancy (District 4)
Becoming a new ESD
In Portland, property and business owners fund extra services such as trash cleanup, ambassadors, public art installation, events, business development, etc. through the City’s Enhanced Services District program. In order to form an ESD, non-profit business district associations must demonstrate active interest and support for exploring an ESD for their community. They must then submit a Letter of Request asking for City support in exploring the establishment of a new ESD for their district. To select the four prospective ESDs, applications were reviewed by a selection advisory committee. City Council must ultimately vote on the formation of any new ESD, as required by City code.
Interested groups are still able to begin taking steps to explore an ESD establishment on their own, utilizing the same City-recommended process the selected Requestors will use. While the districts selected during this round will receive additional support and outside contractor support from the City, there may also be additional City resources in the future to pursue City-supported ESD exploration with other potential ESDs.