News Release: Portland Bureau of Transportation temporarily reduces all-day rates at SmartPark garages to $5 per day

News Article
SmartPark Garage
Portland Bureau of Transportation temporarily reduces all-day rates at SmartPark garages to $5 per day
The rate reduction is intended to support downtown Portland residents and workers during the COVID-19 State of Emergency
Published

(March 27, 2020) In response to the COVID-19 State of Emergency and in support of downtown residents and employees, Commissioner Eudaly instructed the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) to temporarily reduce the all-day rate in all five of the bureau’s SmartPark garages to $5 per day. The new rate went into effect this morning, Friday, March 27, at 7 a.m.

“Reducing the rate to $5 makes all day parking in a SmartPark garage equivalent to the cost of a TriMet day pass,” said Transportation Commissioner Chloe Eudaly. “This rate reduction will provide relief for Portlanders who need to work or access essential services downtown with a safe, affordable place to park for the day.”

Many downtown residents — and workers who perform critical tasks and are not able to telework —  normally take transit to their destinations, but they now find themselves in a position where they need to either keep their vehicle downtown or drive downtown to work. This situation creates a hardship for many who must be able to park their vehicles.

Click here to see a map of all SmartPark garage locations

Normally, it costs $1.80 per hour to park in SmartPark garages for the first three hours and $2 for the fourth hour. After four hours, each garage normally offers an all-day maximum rate between $16 and $20, depending on the garage.

With these operational changes for our current state of emergency, customers who stay more than two hours, will pay a maximum all-day rate of $5 dollars for parking up until 5 a.m. the following day. Customers who stay two hours or less will continue to pay the $1.80 per hour rate.

Security officers will continue to patrol the garages 24/7.

The COVID-19 state of emergency has had a significant impact on the garage occupancy rates. Prior to the crisis, SmartPark averaged an 85-90% occupancy rate. Currently, it’s significantly lower.

SmartPark’s mission is to support the economic viability of the central city by providing an affordable system of parking garages which primarily meets the short-term needs of shoppers, visitors, and business clients and by investing in other central city transportation improvements. SmartPark is Portland’s most affordable and conveniently located parking in downtown Portland, with nearly 4,000 public parking spaces across five garage locations. Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are available at three garages: 4th & Yamhill, 3rd & Alder, and 10th & Yamhill. 

Learn more about the city of Portland‘s response to the COVID-19 pandemic online at https://beta.portland.gov/novel-coronavirus-covid-19