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Each summer PBOT tests out new plaza locations led by the community for the community. Learn more and share your feedback. The Beaumont Crossing evaluation survey is now live with Woodlawn Yards to follow.
About 2026 Pilot Plazas
Pilot Plazas, a tool of the Public Street Plaza Program, enable communities to put their ideas to the test for a summer, repurposing roadway for public space using a simple toolkit provided by PBOT of furnishings, a street painting, and traffic control.
Why we use pilots:
Pilots test location viability and partner capacity. They offer an excellent on-the-ground engagement opportunity to garner tangible feedback as community interacts with the space. By using low-cost materials and quicker installation timelines, the City can trial more spaces, therefore expanding the reach of the program with the goal of plazas becoming a more accessible placemaking tool.
How pilots were selected:
The 2026 Pilot Plazas were selected through PBOT's first-ever Open Call for Plaza Partners, which invited groups across the city to propose locations and ideas for new public spaces. The process emphasized local leadership, community benefit, and geographic equity, resulting in a diverse set of projects that reflect the unique needs and character of their neighborhoods.
How pilots are evaluated:
Pilot Plazas are evaluated during their 8- to 12-week trial period through community surveys, staff observations, and ongoing feedback. Staff look at several factors, including how the plaza is being used, how well the space is stewarded, whether the site layout and traffic control are functioning as intended, and how the partnership between PBOT and the Plaza Partner is going. See Evaluation Criteria below. Ultimately, PBOT staff will determine whether a Pilot Plaza can continue. Evaluations and survey data will be made public and accessible on this webpage.
Evaluation Criteria:
- Traffic Control & Operations
- Public Access & Public Use
- Maintenance
- Programming
- Plaza Partner Capacity
- Public Support
Evaluation Reports:
View the 2026 Firland-Schiller Pilot Plaza Evaluation
What happens after the pilot ends:
At the end of the trial, PBOT staff will evaluate, see evaluation criteria above, and will make a determination whether the pilot is ready to be added to Portland's Public Street Plaza inventory. Public Street Plazas must demonstrate significant community benefit and support and have a strong Plaza Partner. If the plaza is not chosen to become a part of the program long term, the plaza will be dismantled shortly after the evaluation period. All furniture, planters, and traffic control will be removed and the street will be restored to standard operations. Street murals will remain if plaza is removed.
How to provide feedback:
Portlanders will be able to provide feedback through public surveys. Not all Pilot Plaza surveys are live yet, check below for site specific surveys. If the survey is not available yet and you would like to provide feedback in the meantime, please contact us at portlandstreetplazas@portlandoregon.gov.
Beaumont Crossing
Beaumont Crossing, located at NE 44th Ave and Fremont St, is a partnership with the Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood Association,The Beaumont Business Association. The Pilot Plaza is set in the heart of the Beaumont Village business district on NE Fremont and surrounded by shops, eateries, boutiques, and more. With local businesses such as Green Dog Pet Supply, Blackbird Wine Shop, Nectar Frozen Yogurt, Beaumont Vision, and the new Fremont Garage food cart pod only steps away and numerous others within a few blocks, Beaumont Crossing is the perfect spot to gather and enjoy one of Portland's most vibrant neighborhoods. Planned events will include intimate concerts, outdoor yoga, bingo and game nights, community gatherings, maker demonstrations, and loads of kid-friendly activities. Want to help out or learn more? Reach out to plaza@bwnapdx.org for information.
Take the Beaumont Evaluation Survey
Parkrose Plaza (Pilot Ended 8/10/26)
Parkrose Plaza, located at NE 106th Ave and Sandy Blvd was a partnership with Historic Parkrose. As the first Public Street Plaza in District 1, it represented an exciting milestone in bringing the Plaza Program to new neighborhoods and communities across Portland. Situated in the heart of the Historic Parkrose business district, the temporary pilot transformed a portion of the street into a welcoming gathering place where neighbors could connect through events and passive recreation. Designed as a flexible public space, the plaza aimed to create new opportunities for community life in East Portland.
Schiller Plaza (Pilot Ended 9/8/26)
Schiller Plaza, located at SE Schiller St and 72nd Ave was a partnership with the Foster-Powell Neighborhood Association. This residential focused neighborhood plaza provided a central gathering place for the neighborhood for mingling, safer recreation, and community-led events. The plaza connected the two halves of the Firland Parkway, ensuring a safe, pleasant, and continuous pedestrian path between SE Holgate Blvd and SE Foster Rd. Every Monday of the month at 6 pm and Saturday at 9 am, the Firland Parkway Volunteer Corps met in the plaza to discuss parkway improvements, celebrate successes, organize work parties, and plan for the future of the neighborhood.
View the 2026 Firland-Schiller Pilot Plaza Evaluation
Note: For a detailed summary of survey responses, please refer to the Firland-Schiller Pilot Survey Results document.
Woodlawn Yards
Woodlawn Yards, located on NE Durham Ave between Madrona and Dekum St is a partnership with the Woodlawn Neighborhood Association and Woodlawn Farmer's Market. This is the home of the Woodlawn Farmers Market and the new spot for everyday living in the neighborhood. Follow their newsletter to keep up to date on any events happening in the plaza! You can sign up for the newsletter at the bottom of their website, gowoodlawn.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pilot Plazas
Q: What is the PBOT Street Plaza Program?
A: The PBOT Street Plaza Program transforms sections of Portland streets into welcoming community spaces where people can gather, relax, and connect. By repurposing roadway space, the program creates plazas with seating, art, greenery, and room for community programming such as markets, performances, and neighborhood events. Plazas are stewarded in partnership with neighborhood and business associations, individual businesses, and other community groups who help activate and care for these spaces. The program supports vibrant street life, local economic activity, and more accessible public space across the city. For more details, including program goals, impacts, and plaza highlights, visit the Public Street Plaza Program Framework, 2025 Annual Report and the Public Street Plaza Program webpage.
Q: What outreach is done prior to opening a Pilot Plaza?
A: Plaza partners (e.g. neighborhood associations, business districts, or community-based organizations) are looked upon to represent their neighborhood's interests and act as liaison with the City. As applicants, they are required to notify directly adjacent stakeholders of the proposed site during the Open Call process. Additionally, the applicant must notify any neighborhood or business associations affiliated with the area. Applicants may choose to hold meetings, perform surveys, or do additional outreach to strengthen their application. If the proposal is selected for a summer pilot, PBOT may provide postcards and/or signage to help inform the surrounding neighborhood about the project.
Q: Will a Pilot Plaza stay after summer?
A: Near the end of the summer season, Plazas will go through an evaluation period to determine their future status. During this time, Portlanders will be able to provide feedback through a public survey on each Pilot Plaza. We believe Public Street Plazas should be for the community, by the community.
Q: How will Pilot Plazas be evaluated?
A: Pilot Plazas are evaluated during their 8- to 12-week trial period through community surveys, staff observations, and ongoing feedback. Staff look at several factors, including how the plaza is being used, how well the space is stewarded, whether the site layout and traffic control are functioning as intended, and how the partnership between PBOT and the Plaza Partner is working.
Ultimately, PBOT staff will determine whether a Pilot Plaza can continue. We are committed to supporting community-led projects, and a plaza will not continue beyond the pilot period without evaluation showing strong community benefit and support.
Survey results and other evaluation findings will be shared publicly on the PBOT website. A sign will also be posted at each pilot site with information about how to access the results.
Q: Where can I find other Street Plazas?
A: Please explore our Plaza Directory to find other Plazas across Portland.
Q: Can I host an event in a Plaza?
A: Anyone can host an event in a Street Plaza. In most cases, the permit is free. View our Community Events in Plazas page for more information.
Q: How can I stay updated with the Public Street Plaza Program?
A: Sign up for PBOT's Public Street Life Newsletter to receive monthly updates on plazas, community events, block parties, street paintings, and other exciting community-led projects that bring Portland's streets to life.
Q: Can I get a Plaza in my neighborhood?
A: This is the first year of PBOT's Open Call for Plaza Partners where PBOT selected a limited number of Partners for a summer pilot. We'll update the Open Call page when we have timing and more details on the next Open Call for plazas. If you would like to vet a location for a future plaza application, reach out to us via email at portlandstreetplazas@portlandoregon.gov and we may be able to provide feedback on your site.