Overview
With the Public Street Plazas program, 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 work together to repurpose streets for public space for business and community uses.
As temporary spaces, most street plazas include simple design elements and temporary, movable amenities. Street plazas have been embraced by communities as outdoor spaces to socialize, share a coffee or a meal, enjoy music, or simply sit and relax with others.
Public Street Plaza Directory
Arleta Triangle Square is located at the corner of SE 72nd Ave and SE Woodstock Blvd and is supported by the Arleta Triangle Project. The site features public seating and a stage and is a shared space for events, gatherings, public forums, celebration, and relaxation. Expect to see this space host local events and activities and enjoy the nearby community destinations of Mt Scott Park, Community Center and Indoor Pool and local businesses like FAT Cupcake, Space Monkey Coffee and Hometown Pizza.
SW Madison Street Plaza is located on SW Madison Street between SW Park Avenue along the South Park Blocks and supported by the Portland Art Museum and The Numberz.FM. The site features public seating and will be used for markets and other community events all summer long. Expect to see local small businesses at the pop-up markets and enjoy the nearby South Park Blocks, Portland Art Museum, Oregon Historical Society, Shemanski Park Farmers Market, Giffords Flowers, and Shigezo Japanese Restaurant.
Couch Street Plaza is located on NW Couch Street between NW 3rd and 4th avenues and is supported by the Old Town Community Association. The site features public seating and will be used for community events like block parties and events supporting local businesses all summer long. While you're visiting the plaza, enjoy the nearby Lan Su Chinese Garden and local businesses like Deadstock Coffee Roasters, The Window, the Portland Chinatown Museum, the Siren Theater, Old Town Pizza and Brewing, Charlie’s Deli, and Fabos Tacos.
Montgomery Street Plaza is located on SW Montgomery Street between SW Broadway and SW 6th Avenue and is supported by Portland State University. The site features public seating and will be used for community events and PSU activities all summer long. Expect to see student led activations and enjoy the nearby pedestrian trails to the Park Blocks and the Portland Farmers Market at PSU and local businesses like Coco Donuts and Best Baguette.
Montavilla Plaza is located at SE 79th Avenue & SE Stark Street and is supported by the Montavilla East Tabor Business Association. The site features public seating and a small stage and will be used for weekend music performances and pop-up markets all summer long. Expect to see shows from local bands and farmers markets and enjoy the Academy Theater and local businesses like Johnny’s Original Montavilla Barber Shop, Flying Pie Pizzeria, Hungry Heart Bakery, Clogs-N-More, Flipside Hats and Lazy Susan.
Dream Street Plaza is located on the 300 Block of NE Sumner Street, just west of NE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and is supported by the Soul District Business Association. The site features public seating and is half open to traffic day to day but will be closed periodically for community and microenterprise events all summer long. Expect to see the pop-up Dream Street Market and enjoy nearby businesses like Green Haus, Cason’s Fine Meats, Champions Barbershop, Old Town Brewing, and Living Color Beauty Supply.
NW 13th Avenue Plaza is located on NW 13th Avenue between NW Everett and NW Irving streets and is supported by the Pearl District Neighborhood Association and the Urban Art Network. The site features public outdoor seating and will be used for First Thursday art vending, Fridays on 13th events and community activities all summer long. Expect to see block parties and other community events and enjoy nearby businesses like Two Wrongs Portland, Papi Chulo’s, Cider Bite, River Pig Saloon, and Austin Eddy Art Studio.
Pride Plaza is located on SW Harvey Milk Street between W Burnside Street and SW 12th Avenue and is supported by McMenamins Zeus Cafe. The site features public seating, street art, and expanded space for businesses. While you're vising the plaza, enjoy the nearby businesses such as John Fluevog Shoes, Vans, Jake's Famous Crawfish, and McMenamins Zeus Cafe.
Note: In anticipation of future building construction, Pride Plaza has scaled back to one block.
Ankeny Alley is located on SW Ankeny Street between SW 2nd and 3rd Avenues and is supported by the Ankeny Alley Association. The site features business seating and an integrated BIKETOWN station. Visit the plaza during the nearby Saturday Market, and to enjoy the nearby local businesses like Voodoo Doughnut, Dan & Louis Oyster Bar, AFURI ramen + dumpling, Kaizen Sushi, and BAES Fried Chicken.
The Cart Blocks is located on SW Park between West Burnside and SW Oak Street and is supported by Friends of the Green Loop. The site features the city’s first food carts in the public right-of-way and public seating in Ankeny West park and will be used for community events and activities all summer long. Visit the plaza for events like Portland Food Cart Week, Pride Market and the Yacht Rock Ride 2022 and enjoy all of the food carts and nearby local businesses like Powell’s Books, Courier Coffee, and the shops of the Pearl.
St. Johns Plaza is located at the corner of N Lombard Street and N Philadelphia Avenue and is supported by the St. Johns Boosters. The site was built in the 1970's and features public seating and open space and will be used for community events and activities all summer long. Expect to see performances from the Chamber Music Northwest Youth Chamber and the St Johns Comedy Fest and enjoy nearby Cathedral Park and local businesses including Tienda Santa Cruz, Rockabilly Café, Thai Cottage, Two Stroke Coffee, The Great North, Homegrown Smoker, 3 Tracks Music, and St. Johns Twin Cinemas. More information about this plaza is available at StJohnsPlaza.org
Please note the businesses, amenities, and parks mentioned as nearby attractions to the Public Street Plazas listed above is not a comprehensive list and the list does not imply City endorsement. If your business is located near one of these plazas and you would like to be mentioned, please contact the PBOT staff member listed at the top right of the page.
Community Feedback from 2021
The Public Street Plazas program has had great public support, with 94% of survey respondents in support of keeping street space open for plazas beyond 2021. Additionally, when asked if they felt plazas and businesses operating outdoors contributed to a safe and vibrant area, 89% of survey respondents answered that they did contribute to a safe and vibrant area.
Please click here to read the full Evaluation Report: