City reverses block party snub
State regulations were never the problem
The city that promotes all manner of non-auto activation of streets could not accommodate a block party on Northwest Overton Street.
A year after neighbors filed a permit—and on the heels of this reporter’s queries—the Portland Bureau of Transportation reversed itself, apologizing for mishandling the affair.
“At the bureau, we have in recent months been rethinking how we can better support these types of community gatherings,” wrote Adrianne Schaefer-Borrego, supervisor of Portland in the Streets division of PBOT.
Annie Duong, who sought the permit last year for her 2400 block of Northwest Overton Street, did not anticipate the blizzard of red tape that grounded the gathering. She had received permits for past block parties, but this time, PBOT threw down a gauntlet of fees and requirements.
• $100 application fee.
• $150 expedited application fee (event less than 30 days out).
• Permit fee (up to $200).
• $496 to reserve a complete street closure (31 metered spaces at $16 each).
• A registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner.
• Detailed site plans.
• Provide insurance.
• Submit a tracking form and flyer.
• Rent traffic control devices.
• Noise and alcohol permits (if applicable).
PBOT staff told her that block parties are simply not allowed in metered areas.
Duong, seeing PBOT publicity promoting block parties, questioned why parking meters should override their ability to close their street for a few hours.
“We are in a residential neighborhood with mostly houses on our block, and when the meters were added (despite our not wanting them),” she wrote, “it was advertised that [metering] was for the benefit of the neighbors, to minimize parking from non-residents. A block party does not hurt our ability to park.”
“We appreciate your reaching out to us so we can help make sure you have a positive block party experience!” replied Rod Beard of PBOT.
“Unfortunately, the locations on which we can … permit street closures for block parties is based on state laws and regulations and city traffic codes. Based on those aforementioned rules and regulations laid out on our webpage, we are not allowed to issue permits based on metered parking streets.”
Beard said block parties can only be held in metered areas under a Community Event program, but that would run into the list of costly prerequisites listed above.
In early 2024, Duong was still negotiating. What about a Sunday event?
“Even if meters are not in operation on Sundays, the space is still at that level of demand, and therefore not an option for a block party on any day of the week,” read an email from the block party team.
“Ultimately, block parties are free and intended to be a streamlined process to bring neighbors together. This location no longer lends itself to that, but with the help of your neighborhood association, a community event is an option.”
That was the apparently the end of the road. After five months of dialogue, PBOT was just repeating its inviolable standards.
Noel Johnson, a friend of Duong’s, had served on the Northwest Parking Stakeholders Advisory Committee. The committee was established in 2012 to represent neighborhood interests regarding administration of parking meters in the district. Prohibition of block parties on metered blocks was a side effect never brought before the committee.
“It is a great example of new structural barriers to hinder and/or control microcommunity events,” Johnson wrote in an email to the NW Examiner. “I especially hate how PBOT is trying to blame this on others (i.e. state laws) when that is totally bogus.”
Schaefer-Borrego admitted to that bit of scapegoating by PBOT.
“The reasoning behind block parties not being permitted in metered areas is not due to state law but due to our own PBOT administrative rule that is intended to ensure the safety of events that are allowed in our streets.
“Historically, the label of metered versus unmetered districts was a way for us to distinguish easily between low-traffic streets versus higher traffic commercial streets.
“However, we also know that parking management has evolved, and in our vision for a vibrant, dense city, we want to encourage more street activation. We have in recent months been rethinking how we can better support these types of community gatherings. After talking with our traffic engineer about this, he feels the traffic volume is low enough that we can process this as a block party moving forward.
“I’d also like to apologize on behalf of my team for some miscommunication,” she concluded.
Duong said neighbors ultimately held a block party this year without a city permit, taking advantage of barriers put up on their block for the Portland Marathon.
“That it takes such attention to obtain basic pro-social outcomes is odd,” Johnson reflected, but also predictable, given “city staff mindsets.”
Jozell Johnson, a member of the stakeholders committee and Northwest District Association board, reflected later on the presumption that this block has heavy parking demand or that significant meter revenue would be lost. Almost all of the parking here is by residents, who have residential permits which exempt them from metered charges.