News

Strong Towns PDX hosted a bike ride to explore Portland's spooky parking! Thanks to all for attending, and to fellow member turned first-time organizer Andrea Haverkamp who helped organize this bike ride!

Our central city used to be packed with people--housing, services, community halls, theaters, and small businesses. Then, a horrifying wave of car-centered development washed over the town. Entire city blocks were demolished to make way for barebones car parking garages and ghastly empty parking lots.

Downtown is our most transit-connected neighborhood. Past generations prioritized parking over people. There is hope for change. Strong and financially resilient cities in the 21st century are finding ways to ensure parking structures and lots pay their fair share of taxes to benefit our entire community, or otherwise are brought back to life as store-fronts, housing, services, or parks.

Thanks to all who joined our Park(ing) Day event in the Pearl District! We closed down a block of NW Flanders to demonstrate how pedestrian activity contributes towards making communities safe, healthy, equitable, and business-friendly.

Thank you to Gerri Witthuhn for leading this event, and thank you to our volunteers and partners on this project: BikeLoud PDX, the Pearl District Neighborhood Association, Better Block PDX, the Parking Reform Network, PDX Main Streets, BodyVox, and the supportive businesses in the neighborhood.

Strong Towns PDX hosted a Pedalpalooza ride to see tactical urbanism projects around the city. Thanks to the 40 community members who showed up to ride and enjoy lunch together!

Thanks to all who celebrated our birthday with us. Cheers to a wonderful two years of connection, action, advocacy, and education!

Strong Towns PDX hosted a free public presentation featuring Norm Van Eeden Petersman, Director of Membership and Development for Strong Towns, and John Pattison, Strong Towns Community Builder.

Jeremiah and Victoria, two of Strong Towns PDX's Leaders, were featured on panel discussions at the 2024 Strong Towns National Gathering in Cincinnati, OH, where they spoke about STPDX's work in Portland.

Strong Towns PDX hosted an information table at Rumble On The River #15: Transportation. Thanks to our volunteers at the table and to all those who stopped by to chat and say hello!

Strong Towns founder and president Charles Marohn discusses Strong Towns PDX and the Billion Bollards Club in this article and video.

Strong Towns PDX hosted a PARK(ing) Day event with the CNU-Cascadia Portland chapter and the Montavilla/East Tabor Business Association, with support from the Parking Reform Network. We demonstrated the need for a permanent marked crosswalk and traffic calming measures at NE Glisan/70th in Montavilla and gathered significant input and support from the neighborhood.

Strong Towns PDX hosted a Pedalpalooza ride! On Saturday, August 19th, we discussed one of the most cost effective methods of separating vehicles from pedestrians. Thanks to all who joined the ride.

Through a collective mapping process, we're envisioning a better Portland that prioritizes pedestrian safety.

Our local group was interviewed and featured on the national organization's website.