About PEMO

Why PEMO

View full size image of A circle with four icons showing the four pillar areas of PEMO's work: Livability; Safety; Corridor Cleaning.

The Public Environment Management Office (PEMO) was established in 2022 to solve problems, stabilize and uplift Portland's neighborhoods, business corridors, parks, and plazas. Problems often occur in public spaces where different City bureaus or public agencies have overlapping jurisdiction and priorities. When problems arise, finding solutions can be slow and frustrating. That's where PEMO helps.

We serve everyone who interacts with the public realm: residents, small business staff, non-profit partners and service providers, schools, business owners, and visitors.

"PEMO operates how many residents believe Portland should function, with accountability and action. Having a reliable interface with the entire range of city bureaus ... is transformative." 
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PEMO is positioned at the enterprise level, housed within the City Administrator's Office, under Portland Solutions. This allows PEMO to act as a central convener, problem‑solver, and rapid‑response team. PEMO focuses on practical, visible improvements that make a difference right away. 

"The Problem Solver Meetings are the most useful City meeting ever." 
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Our guiding outcomes

View full size image of Circles showing icons of PEMO's outcomes

Everything we do is built around simple "I‑statement" outcomes that reflect what Portlanders should experience in their daily lives:

1. Equity + Transparency: Freedom from Exclusion. "I can rely on PEMO to respect and empower communities through transparent problem solving and to avoid disproportionate negative impacts while supporting equitable results"
   • Problem Solver Meetings
   • Outcome tracking and response
   • Outreach to historically underserved communities across Portland
   • Increased bilingual outreach and translated material outreach
      
2. Reliability + Accessibility: Freedom to Move. "I can get to where I need to go for work, school, pleasure or appointments in a timely manner without barriers in my path"
   • Basic Sidewalk Cleaning
   • Micro-Murals
   • Proactive Asset Maintenance (Traffic Wraps)
   • Sidewalk biohazard response
      
3. Safety + Comfort: Freedom from Harm. ""I can enjoy my trip or activity, or operate my business, free from harassment and harm in the public realm"
   • Pedestrian safety tree lighting
   • Nuisance issue abatement support
   • School support
      
4. Culture + Community: Freedom to Connect. "I feel connected to my community and can celebrate Portland's cultural diversity and unique places"
   • Storefront Support Program
   • Nighttime Economy Initiatives
   • Taking in issues and making referrals
   • Stabilizing and improving public spaces

See our programs ➜  

"I can honestly say that this is the most empowered I have felt in years with the City. I like the routine of the meetings. And I love the lights." 
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