Photo credit Jason Li-Zhao.
Better Block PSU is a partnership program between the volunteer-led group Better Block PDX and Portland State University - encouraging everyone to imagine what spaces could be when they are designed for people. Local community partners can submit their project ideas to be considered at any time. These projects promote equitable placemaking, community building, and active transportation advocacy.
We're thrilled to announce six new projects have been selected to begin Phase 1 in 2026. The projects will be integrated into PSU's Active Transportation Planning course, where students will apply a number of planning methods and skills to initiate the planning process. We will provide more updates as each project progresses through the Better Block pathway.
NW Couch Street Pedestrianization
Located along NW Couch Street between NW 10th and NW 13th Avenues near Powell's City of Books, this Downtown/Pearl District corridor experiences some of the highest pedestrian and BIKETOWN activity in Portland. However, narrow sidewalks lead to pedestrian overcrowding, while vehicle turning movements and on-street parking create safety hazards and hamper transit efficacy. The project aims to eliminate east-west through-traffic between 10th and 13th Avenues to transform the street into a vibrant, car-free plaza.
Morrison Bridge Heads
Situated in the Central Eastside along SE Morrison Street and SE Belmont Street, this project focuses on the area around SE Belmont and SE Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard. Currently, the area beneath the viaducts feels disconnected and fragmented from the inner industrial blocks, with poor lighting, unsafe crossings, and underutilized public space. The project seeks to create connections between the areas east and west of MLK.
Open Sacajawea Park Greenway Extension
Located at Sacajawea Park (7136 NE Roselawn St) between NE 74th and 76th Avenues in NE Portland, this project seeks to build pedestrian and bicyclist connections between the Cully, Sumner, and Parkrose neighborhoods. The project aims to promote pedestrian and bicycle connections through Sacajawea Park, connecting the NE Alberta Neighborhood Greenway and neighborhoods on either side of the park.
Jefferson High School Safe Routes & Campus Gateway
Centered around Jefferson High School along N Killingsworth Street and surrounding avenues in North Portland's historic Albina neighborhood, this project addresses the immediate campus environment. An upcoming rebuild of Jefferson High School will reorient it north toward N Killingsworth Street, and changing boundaries create an urgent need for safe walking and biking routes for an expanding student body. The project would focus on safe access to Jefferson High School, including improving pedestrian safety conditions along Killingsworth Street.
James John Elementary School Street Plaza
Situated along N Charleston Avenue between Leonard Street and the St. Johns Library, this project seeks to envision a “School Street” plaza in front of James John Elementary School in St. Johns. The project's goal is to convert the area into a recognizable plaza space that prioritizes children walking, biking, rolling, and gathering.
Homestead Neighborhood to OHSU Active Transportation Corridor
Located in SW Portland, this project covers the corridor stretching from the SW 6th Avenue & SW Gaines Street intersection down SW Homestead Drive to SW Terwilliger. The route serves neighborhood residents, OHSU, and VA Medical Center commuters, yet the street lacks continuous sidewalks and bike lanes while carrying heavy vehicular traffic through several blind curves. The primary goal is to establish safe, continuous pedestrian and bicycle pathways separated from motor vehicles along the route.
Stay tuned for more updates as we get to work on each of these projects!
