“Activating” the 30th / Killingsworth Plaza

By Richard Burton | LUTC Committee Chair

Changes to Plaza at 30th and Killingsworth

The street plaza north of NE Killingsworth and NE 30th was previously designated a “healthy business plaza” during the pandemic but is now a “public street plaza” offering full access to the area. The city of Portland has created a system for this and other plazas to “remove barriers for small-scale neighborhood-based activities that build social and community connections.” The community may now use the plaza for “activations”; the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) term for plaza events and gatherings.

The plaza is a collaboration between PBOT and the neighborhood. NE 30th Street, north of Killingsworth will remain closed and now has an 11–foot emergency access lane. Some changes you can expect to see are new street planters (PBOT– supplied with plant content maintained by the community), existing seating painted with PBOT logos, periodic trash pickup and a community sandwich board for advertising plaza activations. Additionally in the first half of 2024, PBOT is interested in repainting the plaza surface with updated art.

For casual use of the plaza, any table with PBOT labeling is available for public use. Bring friends, books, food, crafts and enjoy the outdoors.

Holding Events and Gatherings at the Plaza

If you’d like to use the plaza for an activation, some rules apply:

• Small plaza activation events must be free and open to all members of the public. Excluding people from the plaza is prohibited unless an individual is violating the plaza rules as posted. Ticketed events require a permit. (See Additional Information below for more info.)
• Small Plaza Activation events designed for fewer than 100 attendees may occur at any time.
• If amplified music will take place, PBOT must be notified.
• Event organizers must demonstrate respectful behavior towards neighbors and ensure nearby residents are not disturbed.
• Events may not obstruct pedestrian and bicycle thoroughfare or access to the plaza.
• Events may not obstruct the designated 11’ emergency access lane. People are allowed in this area, but no tables, tents, or other objects may be placed in the emergency access lane.
• If food is offered, organizers must follow all Multnomah County Health Department rules and permitting guidelines for temporary food events.
• If alcohol is present, vendors must follow rules permitting guidelines set out by Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) for special events.
• Street plaza areas are car-free spaces. All vehicles must park only in designated parking areas and must pay all applicable fees. If vehicle access is required to deliver heavy equipment, the vehicle must immediately leave the plaza after the drop off or pick up of that equipment. Traffic control signs and objects found before the event must be put back in place after the event. These traffic signs and objects must be in place before, during, and after your activation.

Rich Burton is the Chair of the Land Use and Transportation committee and serves as Member at Large #4 for the Concordia Neighborhood Association board. He is interested in building community