Congress Square

Congress and High Streets, Portland  

The Issue

In 2013 Portland’s City Council approved a purchase and sale agreement for a portion of Congress Square at the corner of High and Congress Street. Rockbridge Capital, owners of the former Eastland Hotel, planned to develop an events center on the site of the park with remaining portion of the site to be redesigned by the city. Located at a key intersection in the Congress Street Historic District and in the Arts District, the existing open space was underutilized and in need of a creative redesign.

A lengthy public debate and court battle led to a vote by Portland voters to save the entirety of Congress Square for public use. A newly formed citizen’s group, the Friends of Congress Square Park, stepped in to organize events and finance improvements. Their hard work has enlivened the park and created a gathering space that benefits nearby residents, visitors, and local businesses.

The public process resulted in a new plan to redesign Congress Square and add new public art. The $2.5 million first phase of a redesigned Congress Square is expected to begin in July 2021 and be mostly finished by November. The first phase includes reconfiguring the intersection of Congress, High and Free streets to improve traffic flow, upgrade signal equipment and enhance safety for motorists and pedestrians, the city said. Changes intended to enhance pedestrian safety will include eliminating one entrance to Free Street and expanding the pedestrian plaza in front of the Portland Museum of Art.

Our Position

Landmarks supports the redesign of Congress Square Park as in our opinion it will fit into the context of the Congress Square intersection and the surrounding highly significant architecture including the State Theatre Building, the Portland Museum of Art complex, the Eastland Hotel, and the Congress Street Historic District.

Following the public debate, court battle and city-wide vote by Portland voters to save the entirety of Congress Square for public use, Landmarks directed their efforts to the future of the 1888 Union Station Clock works that were moved to the site in the 1980s. The clock was named to Landmarks 2013 Places in Peril list. The redesign of the park will necessitates the clocks removal.

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What You Can Do

  • Contact city leaders and urge them to support funding for final design plans for the park and the surrounding intersection.

  • Attend workshops to express the need for a new design of the intersection that is creative and includes high quality open space.

  • Learn more about the efforts of the Friends of Congress Square Park or attend one of their many 'In the Square' events!

  • Join our mailing list to stay informed about advocacy, educational programs, and upcoming events.

  • Support the advocacy efforts of Landmarks by becoming a member or making a donation today.