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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.
Overview
Visit the Plaza Program Homepage for More Program Details
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!
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.
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!
Want to Throw an Event in a Plaza?
Got a creative idea for a community event in a PBOT plaza? Our streamlined permit process helps you bring it to life! Whether it's a game night, pop-up market, fitness class, or any small event, we're here to support you in bringing life to our streets.
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Stay up to date on the latest news and information about Street Plazas
More Questions? Check out our FAQ!
Plazas: Frequently Asked Questions
Evaluations and Community Feedback
PBOT evaluates the Street Plaza Program each year to understand how plazas are performing, measure community benefits, and identify opportunities for improvement. These annual evaluations help us track program outcomes over time while ensuring that community feedback remains at the center of how the program evolves.
We collect feedback through a variety of methods to hear from plaza visitors, neighbors, businesses, community organizations, and plaza partners:
- Annual Surveys – Public surveys invite community members to share how they use plazas, what they value most, and where improvements could be made.
- Interviews and Focus Groups – We meet with plaza partners, neighborhood organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders to better understand local experiences and priorities.
- Plaza Partners and Friends of the Plaza – Our community partners and volunteers provide ongoing, on-the-ground feedback about how plazas are functioning and help identify maintenance needs, programming opportunities, and long-term improvements.
- Direct Community Outreach – Community members can share feedback with PBOT staff by email, phone, or in person at community events. We welcome comments year-round and strive to make participation accessible to everyone.
Each annual evaluation combines community feedback with program data, including plaza usage, events, maintenance, safety, accessibility, and economic impacts. Together, this information helps PBOT and our community partners make informed decisions about the future of Portland's Street Plaza Program.