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PEMO solves problems on the street, one block at a time. Our projects come from the community, who identify the issues. We work with them to come up with ideas and opportunities. Using the principles of environmental design, we coordinate with partners to active, stabalize, and achieve results.
We provide coordinated listening, analysis, and action
"Please help me solve this problem on our street ... no one seems to be listening!"
To solve disjointed coordination and cross-bureau problem-solving, PEMO convenes short, bi‑weekly virtual meetings in 14 districts. Last year, we convened over 347 problem solver meetings with neighbors, small businesses, and City partners to coordinate solutions to issues in high-traffic corridors and other spaces Portlanders gather. These meetings focus on listening and moving quickly toward clear next steps.
Find your nearby Problem Solver Meeting
We brighten up dark blocks
"Our sidewalks at night are so DARK!"
A common concern from neighbors and businesses are dark sidewalks and pathways. Our quick-install lighting is designed to drive nighttime safety and commerce. We continue to expand this popular program across the city. We use energy-efficient LED lights installed using techniques to ensure the trees stay healthy and free from damage.
See our viaduct lighting project
Since 2023, we've installed over 44 miles of pedestrian‑level lighting, including 37 Safe Routes to School corridors and 43 High Crash Corridor locations. In areas with poor lighting, our installations have increased sidewalk illumination to three times the standard average, helping people feel safer and more comfortable moving through their neighborhoods.
See how we helped with Old Town Lanterns
We're creating clean, accessible sidewalks
"Our sidewalks are covered in human waste and trash ... can you please do something?"
A common concern for Portlanders is sidewalks that are covered in trash or human waste. Crews contracted by PEMO visit Portland's busiest locations on a regular basis to clean up trash and debris. Since October 2025, we're collecting on average about 12 tons of trash monthly. Clean sidewalks help promote health and safety for everyone, especially children, families, and vulnerable populations. In fact, 43 of our routes are along high-crash corridors. Our work also prevents debris, trash, and biohazards from entering the nearly 289 bioswales and green street infrastructure along our cleaning routes.
We're leading micro-murals for impacted business facades
Through a partnership with Portland Street Art Alliance, PEMO works with businesses adjacent to public spaces impacted by chronic nuisances to beautify their facades.
We've turned over 25+ walls near high-impact areas into vibrant micro‑murals. These projects reduce nuisance behavior, support small businesses, and bring color and pride to neighborhood corridors. For example, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that murals deter crime. The reason remains unclear, but the findings suggest that murals generate a sense of community identity and reinvigorate street traffic.
We activate spaces to deter nuisances and problems
"Can we proactively beautify and activate areas to bring people together and reduce bad behavior?"
When a public space or corridor suffers from nuisance issues, PEMO focuses on a multi-prong approach that includes creative activation ideas. Community vibrancy through small-and-simple but effective interventions are our specialty. In all cases, our rapid work reduces delays between bureaus, and stabilizes areas experiencing repeated challenges.
"What they did was give us a chance"
-- Portland skater Willis Kimbel
Q-Side took shape in an area that has long struggled with nuisances behavior, impacting nearby businesses and residents. PEMO supported the Q‑Side Skatelot project by coordinating partners and helping resolve site‑level issues so construction could move forward smoothly.
Signal cabinet wraps to reduce maintenance costs
PEMO proactively maintains assets like signal cabinet wraps by turning them into durable, attractive flair in neighborhoods. These simple changes brighten intersections and make streets feel more welcoming while reducing costs. Over 120 signal cabinet wraps have been installed, with more on the way!
"I wanted to just take a moment to write and tell you how pleased I am with the work [PEMO] are doing. [It] has been a breath of fresh air! [They] see that we are struggling with on the ground and are able to quickly synthesize it into actionable steps the City can take to help us." -- Old Town Business Owner
To help with foot traffic and general sense of place in the central city, we partnered with Travel Portland, Downtown Clean and and Safe, and the Pearl District on the Near Me Now project to highlight more than 120 classic Portland attractions, stores, restaurants, public art and enhance wayfinding.
PEMO led the design and implementation of a vibrant wayfinding and beautification project at the SW 3rd and Alder SmartPark garage, collaborating closely with PBOT, and local stakeholder groups like Travel Portland and Pioneer Square. PEMO enhanced navigation for visitors and spotlighted neighboring businesses during the garage's temporary closure
Horticulture, Landscaping, and Space Management
PEMO also coordinates horticulture, landscaping, and space‑management improvements across bureaus. We work with partners to clear overgrown vegetation, refresh plantings, and maintain sightlines so sidewalks, crossings, and storefronts stay visible and safe. Our team also helps manage cluttered or underused spaces, making small adjustments that improve comfort, access, and the overall look and feel of a block.
See the latest activation news from PEMO
We're coordinating programs to help storefronts
PEMO is building a coordinated support model to help small businesses reduce nuisance impacts, stabilize storefronts, and strengthen commercial districts through rapid, on‑the‑ground improvements. This project is in partnership with other Bureaus and Prosper Portland.
Learn about this Council mandated project
"Never in my 30 years of being in Lents have I had such a positive and proactive experience in which I felt the city wanted to hear about our issues ... for the first time in a long time, our community is speaking positively about our City and local department officials/leaders and their involvement."
-- John S., Steve's Imports
"Thank you for sharing your flyer with me. I appreciate the information and effort you put into creating it. Your work and commitment to providing solutions for our community are truly valued."
-- Mesfin H. Beshir, Oregon & SW Washington African Community Development Center