Starting Friday, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will extend parking meter hours in the Central Eastside from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., adding three hours of on-street parking enforcement from Monday through Saturday.
This change marks the first of Portland’s five parking districts to see expanded hours as part of a phased approach that will roll out similar changes district by district through the end of the year.
The adjustments come on the heels of a citywide parking rate hike that took effect on July 1.
The Central Eastside area, which runs from Interstate 84 to Powell Boulevard and encompasses 12th Avenue to the Willamette River, will be the first to see the new enforcement times.
According to PBOT spokesperson Hannah Schafer, this approach will help the city gradually update signage throughout.
“Parking management is a really important tool for cities, especially when things are busy,” said Schafer.
She emphasized that effective parking management can facilitate flow and ensure that parking spaces turnover, providing easier access to local businesses.
Data collected by PBOT over the past year indicates a rising demand for evening parking close to restaurants and shops, underscoring the need for these enforcement changes.
The revenue generated from the extended meter hours is also expected to support PBOT’s recovery from years of budget cuts.
These financial strains were exacerbated by the state legislature’s inability to pass Governor Tina Kotek’s transportation funding bill in June, which left the bureau facing an $11 million shortfall.
Carolyne Holcomb, executive director of the Central Eastside Industrial Council, expressed support for business access but described the changes as “premature.”
She stated that for these alterations to be effective and fair, they need to be paired with increased enforcement and consistent curb zone management.
“Without those critical pieces in place, expanding pay-to-park hours feels premature and risks placing additional burden on businesses without delivering the intended benefit,” Holcomb cautioned.
Conversely, some view the new parking policy as a necessary evolution for Portland.
Andrea Haverkamp, the land use and transportation chair for the Kerns Neighborhood Association, believes that the funds raised are essential for supporting road construction, public transportation initiatives, and enhancing pedestrian safety through better crosswalks.
“Parking for private personal vehicles cannot be both free and abundant,” Haverkamp noted.
She associated the costs of free parking with deteriorating infrastructure, citing potholes, inadequate bike lanes, and unsafe streets.
“Doing nothing is actually more expensive than increasing parking fees,” she said, highlighting the broader impact on community safety.
Zachary Lesher, a resident of the Buckman neighborhood, echoed this sentiment.
He pointed out that much of the revenue collected from parking meters ultimately benefits residents, visitors, and employees within the parking district.
PBOT has indicated that compared to other major West Coast cities, Portland has historically maintained lower parking regulations and costs, allowing for this increase.
Schafer framed the extended parking hours as a positive step in the city’s growth, reflecting the increased hustle and bustle of urban life.
“This is a little bit like Portland growing up into a big city,” she remarked.
image source from：opb
