Portland Parklets Program Gets Kicked to the Curb

A pilot program introduced parklets to Portland last summer to seemingly widespread applause. Fearing the loss of parking, a group representing downtown business owners has successfully lobbied the city to cancel the program in the downtown core.

1 minute read

April 17, 2013, 11:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Portland Parklet

Jonathan Maus/BikePortland / Flickr

"After a successful pilot program last summer, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) recently announced an update of their Street Seats program," reports Jonathan Maus. "While the newly proposed guidelines show the scope of the program has broadened, a group that represents downtown businesses successfully lobbied to prevent the conversion of parking spots in the downtown core."

"In an editorial published today, The Oregonian Editorial Board used this concern from the PBA to help make their case against the program. They argue that Street Seats are a sign of 'mission creep' from PBOT and that we should not give up precious parking spaces for non-parking uses"

Monday, April 15, 2013 in BikePortland.org

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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