News Release: PBOT reopens 3rd & Alder SmartPark garage, just in time for the holiday shopping season

Press Release

The garage has signed leases with new tenants for first-floor retail space, helping accelerate the ongoing recovery of foot traffic and business downtown. SINister Coffee & Creamery opens on Wednesday with unique ice cream sandwich and coffee by "woman owned paranormal investigators."

(Nov. 19, 2024) The Portland Bureau of Transportation has reopened the SW 3rd & Alder SmartPark garage, in time to support the holiday shopping season and the ongoing revival of downtown Portland.

The 3rd & Alder garage is strategically located to serve some of the newest destinations downtown. The Portland Winter Ice Rink is located a few blocks to the east. The James Beard Public Market is slated to open next year a few blocks to the west. Nordstrom Rack, Pioneer Place Mall and Pioneer Courthouse Square are just steps away.

The garage has signed leases with new tenants for first-floor retail space, helping accelerate the ongoing recovery of foot traffic and business downtown. Side Hustle, a sports bar and restaurant based in Salem has signed a lease to have its first Portland location at 3rd & Alder. The Portland Metro Chamber is leasing retail space for short term pop-up shops, including SINister Coffee & Creamery, which plans to open on Wednesday and advertises its unique ice cream sandwich and coffee business by "woman owned paranormal investigators."

"SmartPark is vital to downtown Portland's success, and I'm delighted to announce its reopening," stated Mayor Ted Wheeler. "I have directed all city bureaus to aid in downtown revitalization, and I'm pleased to see the Portland Bureau of Transportation welcoming holiday shoppers with SmartPark garages. This effort builds on the ongoing recovery and prosperity of our central city."

"We're thrilled about this news and deeply appreciate PBOT's efforts to reopen the garage in time for the holiday season," said Prosper Portland Interim Executive Director Shea Flaherty Betin. "The 3rd & Alder garage is perfectly positioned to connect visitors with the heart of downtown's vibrant holiday shopping, dining, and entertainment - including a bigger and better Portland Winter Ice Rink."

PBOT owns and operates the city's five SmartPark garages, which were envisioned in the 1970s in strategic locations to provide access to downtown retail destinations, while limiting the need for new parking space construction on valuable downtown land.

"We are excited to reopen the 3rd & Alder SmartPark garage as a vital part of PBOT's efforts to support downtown Portland's recovery and provide critical parking spaces during the busy holiday season," Deputy City Administrator Priya Dhanapal said. "We deeply appreciate our partners at the Portland Metro Chamber and Prosper Portland for working with us to support the local restaurants and retailers that are activating the 3rd & Alder first-floor retail spaces. This collaboration is key to revitalizing downtown with more options for parking, shopping, and dining."

"PBOT maintenance and parking management teams have worked together to enhance the customer experience in our SmartPark garages," PBOT Director Millicent Williams said. "We know that Portlanders want to move around our city using many transportation options. We are proud to be able to reopen this garage, with its growing first floor restaurant offerings, just in time for the holiday shopping season."

On Aug. 18, 2023, PBOT temporarily closed the garage to make safety improvements. A new security contractor has nearly eliminated incidents of car prowling in the city's SmartPark garages.

On Monday, PBOT reopened the first six floors of the garage, offering over 400 parking spaces. The upper floors will be reopened as needed. PBOT is open to ideas for ways to activate the upper floors, including temporary art installations or other community activities.

Access to the ground floor restaurants and retailers -- Cuon - Vietnamese Street Food, DarSalam Restaurant & Catering, Medallion Jewelers, and Metro by T-Mobile -- has been maintained, with enhanced sidewalk cleaning and other improvements.

With the reopening, customers in the 3rd & Alder garage will notice newly painted elevator lobbies, cleaner elevators and a new, more reliable payment technology. Crews have replaced the garage's older, out of date pay stations with new ones that match the parking meters in use for on-street parking in downtown, Northwest and the Central Eastside.

In the coming months, PBOT will roll out the newer pay stations at other SmartPark garages.

Sidewalk and storefront cleaning will continue and the bureau will maintain security service with a contractor. Security dispatch is available. Report trespassing or unwanted activity around the garage to 503-823-5353, option 2.

About SmartPark

SmartPark is Portland's most affordable and conveniently located parking. Shoppers, business clients and visitors enjoy City-owned downtown SmartPark public facilities with nearly 4,000 public parking spaces. SmartPark garages offer the lowest short-term hourly rates and are close to restaurants, retailers, and cultural venues.

PBOT SmartPark Garages
[email protected]
503-260-9184

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The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is the steward of the city's transportation system and a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage, and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides access and mobility. Learn more at portland.gov/transportation