Street Seat Application window closed

NEW FOR 2015

The following changes have been made for the 2015 program:

• Concept plan deadline – January 15th, 2015. Applicants will be required to submit concept level designs for review and preliminary approval.  A maximum of ten (10) new locations may be chosen to move forward through the design development and review process.  Creativity of design, ‘public seating’ proposals, and demonstration of community support will be prioritized evaluation criteria.  Serious applicants are encouraged to seek out early professional design assistance.
• Application fee.  A non-refundable fee of $100 will go towards staff review time.
• Permit fee for renewals to be reduced. The cost of annual renewal permits will be reduced from $500 to $250.
• Info Session Open House on December 5th, 2014.  To help applicants, the City is hosting an open house at the Portland Building, 1120 SW 5th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Room B, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Prospective applicants can learn more about what is involved with sponsoring a Street Seat with help from staff from the Bureau of Transportation and local design firms.

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ABOUT STREET SEATS

Street Seats is a program of the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) that allows  businesses or non-profit organizations to convert on-street parking into other public uses, such as café seating or a mini-park.  Based on similar programs in San Francisco and New York City, the program enlivens the streetscape by creating spaces for Portlanders to enjoy seating and a meal or a drink outdoors, which in turn enhances street vitality and benefits local businesses. 

 Slideshow: check out these photo galleries of Portland and San Francisco installations.

The Portland Bureau of Transportation experimented with a pilot Street Seats project in 2012. After receiving feedback from community members and business owners, the pilot was deemed a success and PBOT instituted an ongoing program in spring 2013.   View an overview of the 2014 installations.

Note: At this time Street Seat applications within the downtown core (from Burnside to SW Harrison, SW 10th to SW 2nd) are not being accepted.  Also, the proposed site should be located on a street with a speed limit of 30 MPH or less. 

2015 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED

New Applications Received

• Bamboo Izakaya, 1409 NE Alberta Street
• Bunk Bar/Water Avenue Coffee, 1028 SE

Renewal Applications Received

• Analog Café, 720 SE Hawthorne Blvd
• Bonfire Lounge, 2821 SE Stark St
• Dick's Kitchen NW, 704 NW 21st Ave
• Enzo's Caffe Italiano, 2529 NE Alberta St
• Lompoc Tavern, 1620 NW 23rd Ave
• McMenamins, Barley Mill, 1629 SE Hawthorne Blvd
• Mississippi Pizza, 3552 N Mississippi Ave
• Oven & Shaker, 1134 NW Everett St
• Portland Bottle Shop, 7960 SE 13th Ave
• SOMA Ecodistrict, SW 4th Ave between SW College Ave & SW Hall Ave
• Songbird Café, 6839 SE Belmont St
• Tin Shed Garden Cafe, 6839 SE Belmont St
• Vita Cafe, 3023 NE Alberta St

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Check out the below map of approved Street Seat installations in the City of Portland:   

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 PRESS COVERAGE on Portland's Street Seats Program

Street Seats to host December 5th open house; accept 2015 proposals through January 15 to turn parking spaces into outdoor seating, City of Portland press release (12/3/2014)

Portland's Street Seats 2014, City of Portland press release (10/1/2014)

Sit down on Street Seat winners and contemplate design, Portland Center for Architecture, Oregonian (9/29/2014)

More restaurants swap parking for outdoor seats, KGW 8 (6/4/2014)

Portland Street Seats expanding, changing, Koin 6 (5/13/2014)

More Portland restaurants adding Street Seats, Koin 6 (4/12/2014)

Want to convert a parking spot into public seating? Street Seats now accepting proposals for 2014. City of Portland press release (11/14/2013)

New Proposed Guidelines for Street Seats, City of Portland press release ((3/22/2013)

Street Seats Pilot Program Updated, City of Portland press release (1/10/2013)