News Release: Street Seats to host Dec. 5 open house; accept 2015 proposals through Jan. 15 to turn parking spaces into outdoor seating
(December 3, 2014) - While Portlanders weather a cold snap, The Portland Bureau of Transportation is looking ahead to warm weather opportunities to enliven the streetscape by expanding its popular Street Seats program.
The transportation bureau is seeking concept proposals through January 15, 2015, and will host an open house on December 5 at the Portland Building (1120 SW 5th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Room B) from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Staff and local design firms will be available to answer questions and provide design inspiration.
Now in its fourth year, Street Seats gives businesses or non-profit organizations the opportunity 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 stop, sit and enjoy the life of the street. Many Street Seats also allow people to enjoy seating and a meal or a drink outdoors, which in turn enhances street vitality and benefits local businesses.
The transportation bureau experimented with a pilot Street Seats project in 2012 and instituted an ongoing program in spring 2013.
Today, Portland has 12 Street Seat installations, 10 of which were organized by restaurants to offer outdoor café seating. Two installations on NE Alberta Street have been designed solely for open public seating and are a result of collaboration between the Bureau of Transportation and Center for Architecture in its second annual Street Seat Design Competition.
While encouraging additional restaurant and café proposals, the Transportation Bureau will prioritize design proposals that are open to full public use, and that show creativity and excellence in design.
Proposals may be seasonal or year-round, and may be located in any part of the city, except the downtown core from West Burnside to SW Harrison Street, and SW Second to Tenth avenues.
Application packets as well as a map of current Street Seats may be found at www.PortlandOregon.gov/Transportation/StreetSeats
View Street Seats photos from Portland and elsewhere: https://www.flickr.com/groups/pdxstreetseats/
Sign up for Street Seats e-updates.
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Media Contact:
Diane Dulken 503-823-5552 diane.dulken@portlandoregon.gov