Category: Land Use and Transportation

The Land Use and Transportation Committee meeting is usually held on the fourth Thursday of the month at 8 p.m. at SE Uplift (3534 SE Main Street). Actual dates, times or locations can vary, so please check the announcements below and our calendar to confirm the exact details for upcoming meetings.

The Committee Co-Chairs are Ignacio Simon and Daniel Mandel; they can be reached at [email protected]

New Pedestrian Plaza Coming to SE Hawthorne

Artist's rendition of the 37th Avenue Plaza looking northwest from the Bagdad Theater. Have you ever walked down Hawthorne and thought, “wow, I love this street, but wouldn’t it be even better with a nice place to sit and watch the colorful world go by?” You’re in luck because PBOT in partnership with the Hawthorne Boulevard Business Association (HBBA) and the SNA, will be piloting a new pedestrian plaza this summer at 37th and Hawthorne! The plaza will provide space to relax, eat a bite and enjoy art and performances! We’re sure you have questions, and we have answers.

  1. What is the Hawthorne Sustainability Plaza & Project?
    The Hawthorne Pilot Plaza and Kiosk project is a community-driven initiative aimed at enhancing the Hawthorne District by creating a seasonal public plaza located on the north side of Hawthorne Blvd at SE 37th Avenue. The plaza will include an active gathering space, seating, street mural, landscaping, and a solar kiosk offering wayfinding maps and information.
  2. How was 37th Avenue chosen as the location?
    This location was selected as a pilot in August 2024 because it has the right ingredients for success including active restaurants, frequent pedestrian and bike traffic, adjacency of a bus line and proximity to the iconic Bagdad Theater. PBOT’s traffic engineering shows this area would work to close the street and  piloting a seasonal plaza in Spring of 2025 is in the planning stages.
  3. Site plan for the 37th Avenue plaza showing as series of tables on the west side of 37th, planters on the north and south, and an emergency lane to the east.What amenities will the plaza offer?
    • Seating: Picnic tables with attached benches made from durable, weather-resistant materials.
    • Landscape Planters: Large planters will border the plaza, providing greenery and separating the gathering area from the street to ensure safety.
    • Public Art: Street murals and cultural displays will be integrated into the plaza’s design.
    • Solar-Powered Kiosk: A compact 4×6-foot kiosk adds phone charging, maps, and district info.
    • Lighting: Ambient decorative lighting will be used to enhance safety and vibrancy.
  4. How will this project benefit the community?
    • Central Gathering Space: The plaza will create a welcoming, car-free area for residents and visitors to meet, relax, and socialize, and a place for community events without special permits for street closures.
    • Business Boost: By activating the street, the plaza will increase more foot traffic to the area, attracting more customers to local businesses and expanding opportunities for outdoor dining and vending, allowing adjacent businesses to expand their operations. 
    • Inclusive & Welcoming Space: The plaza will be designed to serve people of all ages and incomes
    • District Beautification: Enhances the streetscape with greenery, public art, and attractive amenities.
    • Sustainability: Solar kiosk adds access to power that helps with emergency response & climate education.
  5. How will the plaza be maintained?
    HBBA intends to use part of the grant funds to secure a maintenance and management contract for ongoing care and cleaning of the plaza. This includes: bi-weekly trash pick-up, sweeping and maintaining landscape planters, graffiti removal, and general upkeep to ensure the plaza remains clean, safe, and welcoming.
  6. How has the community been involved in this project?
    This site was selected after careful consultation with community members and organizations, including the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association (SNA) and the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT). Key outreach efforts included:

    • Hawthorne Street Fair (2023 & 2024): Community members participated in voting and feedback sessions about kiosk locations and plaza amenities.
    • Pop-Up Plazas: Temporary installations and events, like the PARK(ing) Day event in September 2023 and other community pop-ups, provided residents with opportunities to experience the concept.
    • Surveys & Focus Groups: In 2023, a community survey was sent to Hawthorne business district and neighborhood to gather input on desired amenities.
    • Business Meetings: HBBA hosted multiple meetings with local businesses to share updates and collect feedback.
    • Neighborhood Association Presentations: PBOT and HBBA have presented the project at various neighborhood meetings to keep residents informed.
  7. What is the timeline & next steps for the project?
    • March 2025: Plaza maintenance/stewardship planning, form committee for plaza naming/mural contest.
    • March/April 2025: Kiosk permits and structural review, mural design competition.
    • May/June 2025: Kiosk installation and mural painting, pilot plaza officially opens (seasonal through Oct.).
  8. How is this site being funded?
    The project is funded by a $46,000 grant from Venture Portland to the Hawthorne Boulevard Business Association (HBBA) to create a solar kiosk mini-resiliency hub. This became a catalyst to create a community plaza at SE 37th Avenue. With PBOT developing a new Plaza Pilot Program, this grant has allowed us to participate – a unique opportunity to enhance our business district and add amenities for all.
  9. How can businesses and community members be involved or learn more?
    • Volunteer to join a “Friends of the Plaza” community group
    • Participate in the plaza naming contest or street mural design calls.
    • Sign up for updates through the HBBA or Sunnyside Neighborhood Association newsletters.

Want to learn more? Download a copy of the proposal and these FAQs.

For more information or questions, contact

Learn more about Portland’s Plaza Program
www.portland.gov/transportation/planning/plazas/plazas

Land Use and Transportation Committee Report

The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Land Use and Transportation Committee (LUTC) meetings will be held on the fourth Thursday of the month at 8 p.m. at SE Uplift (3534 SE Main Street). We recently revised the committee’s charter which was approved by the SNA Board at its April meeting. We especially encourage Sunnyside renters to attend these meetings. The LUTC recognizes that most Sunnyside residents are renters and seeks to include their voices and needs in this committee. 

Historically, the Sunnyside LUTC has served as a point of contact between the neighborhood, city planning bureaus, and private developers looking to make changes or redevelop land in the neighborhood. This reformed committee will maintain this role, facilitate discussion between neighbors on issues relating to proposed and existing transportation, and aid in refining a vision for our neighborhood infrastructure in alignment with the interests of current and future Sunnyside residents.

Land Use and Transportation Committee Meetings

The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Land Use and Transportation Committee meetings will be held on the fourth Thursday of the month at 8 p.m. at SE Uplift (3534 SE Main Street). We are in the process of finalizing a revision of the committee’s charter, including outlining a work plan for the next year. We especially encourage Sunnyside renters to attend. The LUTC recognizes that most Sunnyside residents are renters and seeks to include their voices and needs in this committee. 

Historically, the Sunnyside LUTC has served as a point of contact between the neighborhood, city planning bureaus, and private developers looking to make changes or redevelop land in the neighborhood. The reformed committee will maintain this role, facilitate discussion between neighbors on issues relating to proposed and existing transportation, and aid in refining a vision for our neighborhood infrastructure in alignment with the interests of current and future Sunnyside residents.

McGuirl Designs to Present Plans for New Five Story, 45 Unit, Residential Building for 3150 SE Belmont Street at March 14th SNA Meeting

Please join us at our next Neighborhood Association meeting, Thursday, March 14th, 7:00 p.m. at SE Uplift, 3534 SE Main Street, for an informational presentation by McGuirl Designs & Architecture.

Casey McGuirl will present plans to build a five story, 45 unit residential building at 3150 SE Belmont Street, including a site plan and building elevations, and will be available to answer questions regarding the proposal following the presentation.  The purpose of this discussion is to share information between the neighborhood and McGuirl Design regarding details of the proposal, visual and exterior design features, and how it may impact the neighborhood, not to determine whether or not it should be built.

This location is zoned CM2 d (MU-U):  Commercial Mixed Use 2 (CM2) with a Design Zone Overlay (d) located in a Mixed Use – Urban Center (MU-U) area of the Comprehensive Plan.

[1] The CM2 zone is a medium-scale, commercial mixed use zone intended for sites in a variety of centers and corridors, in other mixed use areas that are well served by frequent transit, or within larger areas zoned for multi-dwelling development. Buildings in this zone are generally expected to be up to four stories, except in locations where bonuses allow up to five stories.

[2] The Design (d) overlay zone promotes the conservation, enhancement, and continued vitality of areas of the City with special scenic, architectural, or cultural value. This is achieved through the creation of design districts and applying the Design Overlay Zone as part of community planning projects, development of design guidelines for each district, and by requiring design review or compliance with the Community Design Standards. In addition, design review or compliance with the Community Design Standards ensures that certain types of infill development will be compatible with the neighborhood and enhance the area.

[3] Mixed Use — Urban Center.  This designation is intended for areas that are close to the Central City and within Town Centers where urban public services are available or planned including access to high‐capacity transit, very frequent bus service, or streetcar service. The designation allows a broad range of commercial and employment uses, public services, and a wide range of housing options. Areas within this designation are generally mixed‐use and very urban in character. Development will be pedestrian‐ oriented with a strong emphasis on design and street level activity, and will range from low‐ to mid‐rise in scale. The range of zones and development scale associated with this designation are intended to allow for more intense development in core areas of centers and corridors and near transit stations, while providing transitions to adjacent residential areas. The corresponding zones are Commercial Mixed Use 1 (CM1), Commercial Mixed Use 2 (CM2), Commercial Mixed Use 3 (CM3), and Commercial Employment (CE). This designation is generally accompanied by a design overlay zone.

You can find more information on this location at portlandmaps.com.  If you are unable to attend this meeting or would like to submit written comments or questions regarding this proposal please email them to [email protected] and we will do our best to address them during the discussion.

[1],[2] https://portlandmaps.com/bps/zoning
[3] https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/581372