PORTLAND, Ore. — The SmartPark Garage on Southwest 3rd Avenue and Alder Street reopened earlier this week, after being closed since August 2023.
Previously, that garage had the lowest occupancy rate of all five garages around town that are owned and operated by the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT).
The garage also struggled with crime, including car prowling.
“We found with the pandemic, there was a lot less occupancy in the garages downtown. And so, there were some behavioral health problems happening — substance use problems spilling into our garages,” said Dylan Rivera, the spokesperson for PBOT.
PBOT closed the garage to get a better handle on the issues and implemented new safety measures at the other four operating garages.
Rivera said their changes have had a significant impact — with October 2023 having over 100 car prowls, versus this October with only one across four garages.
They’ve also made other improvements too.
“We've increased the maintenance, clearing the sidewalk, washing those sidewalks, supporting the businesses, fresh coat of paint and new technology at the 3rd and Alder garage to make paying and making that transaction as easy as possible," said Rivera. "So all of this really supports downtown and is really part of the recovery that downtown Portland has been undertaking in recent years.”
He said as a result, the garage was able to open just in time for the holiday shopping season.
Although security is around the clock, he still suggests people secure and hide belongings like they would otherwise to prevent prowlers from targeting their car.
The reopening of the garage leave new businesses feeling optimistic.
“Parking downtown can be hard as it is, and it deters people from staying. Having parking garages, especially ones that are affordable — like SmartPark is going to really help all businesses around here,” said Michelle Kaliher, who co-owns Sinister Coffee and Creamery with her wife.
Their business opened on the ground floor of the garage Wednesday and will be operating in that location until Dec. 31. Kaliher says the shop is part of PDX Pop-Up Shops, a holiday pop-up program in downtown.
“I think the more people feel secure coming down here walking around, the more people will come,” Kaliher continued. "So that has been the biggest shift as even a resident of Portland, coming down here and seeing the presence of security makes you feel safe.”
Other businesses were operating on the ground level of the garage when it closed down last year — like Medallion Jewelers.
The owner of Medallion Jewelers, Alex Talakoub said it negatively affected his business.
“When it closed, many people were just looking around to find a place to park — and it wasn't easy,” he said.
“The opening is a good beginning that shows that downtown is coming back. Parking space is safe and secure,” he continued.
“Most of my customers, what they asked me is that, 'Is downtown safe?' Well, it is much safer than it used to be. City has done a lot to clean it up, to make it more safe. We have security that goes around this area.”
With Portland’s population growing, the hope is additional parking will help downtown continue its revival.
“Portland is that much busier, and we just need additional places for parking. It also just sends a really positive message about what's happening in Portland to see a space that maybe had been closed for unfortunate reasons to kind of come back to life,” said Sydney Mead, the senior director of downtown programs for the Portland Metro Chamber.
Currently, the first six floors of the garage are open with around 400 parking spots available out of 800. The rest of the garage will be opened as demand increases.
“Just remember when you come downtown to shop, SmartPark garages cost less per hour for the first four hours than street parking does,” said Rivera. "We've strategically located these SmartPark garages so you can park, walk to your destination, find lots of shops and restaurants close by.”
The garage off Southwest 3rd and Alder is located right across from Pioneer Place and a few blocks away from the Portland Winter Ice Rink.