About Portland's Public Street Plazas

Information
People dine at outdoor seating along 13th Avenue Plaza.  In the distance, pop-up vendors sell crafts to plaza visitors.
PBOT's Portland Public Street Plazas are community-oriented public spaces where business and the neighborhood come together. Rather than just a place to pass through, these sections of city streets become vibrant community hubs where all are welcome.
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Overview

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) partners with business districts, local businesses, non-profit organizations, and community organizations to support Public Street Plazas in neighborhoods throughout Portland. Originally developed in response to COVID-19, this effort builds on PBOT’s Healthy Businesses Permit Program where PBOT and community partners worked together to repurpose streets for public space to benefit both businesses and the community.

Most street plazas feature simple design elements and temporary, movable amenities. These plazas have become popular outdoor spaces for socializing, enjoying coffee or meals, community events, or just relaxing. Find out more about our plazas below!

Visitors to the plaza sit at umbrella shaded picnic tables. People biking pass through the plaza in the background
Ankeny Rainbow Road, a popular plaza in Central East Portland

Where are Public Street Plazas?

PBOT's Public Street Plazas are found all over Portland!  Check out the map and visit our Plaza Directory page to find out more information about plazas near you.

A map of PBOT Street Plazas featuring a sloth mascot and the tagline "All are Welcome Here"

Click Here to View a High Resolution Plaza Map


Love Events? Check Out Our Event Calendar!

From dance parties and markets to game nights and more, our Plazas host a wide range of community events. Our calendar is updated monthly, so be sure to check back regularly to find fun events near you!

Learn about Upcoming Events

Want to Throw an Event in a Plaza?

The Small Plaza Activation process is intended to remove barriers for small-scale neighborhood-based activities that build social and community connections in PBOT plazas. If you have an idea for how you would like to use the space to get to know your neighbors, we would love to hear about it!  Check out our Small Plaza Activation page for more info! 

Host an Event

Sign Up for Email Updates

Stay up to date on the latest news and information about Street Plazas

Newsletter Sign Up


Evaluations and Community Feedback

2024

In 2024, PBOT celebrated significant progress in its Street Plaza Program, introducing two new year-round plazas and launching a seasonal plaza pilot program. Preexisting plazas received upgrades with refreshed murals, new planters, and art installations. Meanwhile, community engagement reached new heights through initiatives like the Plaza Ambassador Volunteer Program and wider survey distribution. Public feedback demonstrated strong support, with 96% of survey respondents recognizing substantial community benefits and 97% agreeing that plazas enhance safety and vibrancy—an 8% increase compared to 2023. Partner led event programming was highly successful with over 250 community-led events bringing thousands together.

View the Full 2024 Report

View the Abridged 204 Visual Report

2023

The Public Street Plaza program has continued to grow. This years survey found 89% of respondents felt that plazas contributed to a safe and vibrant area with 90% believing they should remain open beyond 2023This years report also highlights the voices of many plaza partners. Their stories and experiences express an overwhelming positive view of the program and it's many benefits to the surrounding community.

View the 2023 Plaza Report

2022

The Public Street Plazas program has had great public support, with 86% of survey respondents in support of keeping street space open for public plazas beyond 2022. Additionally, when asked if they felt plazas and businesses operating outdoors contributed to a safe and vibrant area, 87% of survey respondents answered that they did contribute to a safe and vibrant area. 85% of respondents reached public street plazas by walking biking or transit.

Read the full 2022 Evaluation Report:

2021

Read the 2021 Evaluation Report: 

2021 Healthy Businesses & Public Plaza Evaluation Report

Contact

PBOT's Public Street Plaza team

PBOT Customer Service (by PDX 311)

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