Learn about Portland State University's SW 4th Ave Public Street Seat

DESIGNED by STUDENTS. BUILT by STUDENTS.

Portland, Oregon’s first downtown public street seat—was designed and built by Portland State University architecture students over a period of 18 months. The street seat was installed on SW 4th Avenue over one weekend, and on June 1, 2015.

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, also called a parklet.  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. 

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. 

•  View photography of Portland and San Francisco installations.

Approved Street Seat installations in the City of Portland:   

 Press Coverage on Portland's Street Seats Program

• This New Mini-Park at Portland State is Completely Adorable In Every Way, Portland Monthly (7/20/15)
• Downtown's first public parklet a nice addition at 4th Ave. food cart pod, Oregonian (6/09/15)
• PSU students build 'Street Seats' downtown, Koin 6 (5/23/15)
• 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)