Regular 82nd Ave Corridor Cleaning Proposal

In summer 2026, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners adopted a balanced $4 billion budget. It included a budget note requesting a proposal to add enhancements to the street-cleaning corridor along the City of Portland’s portion of 82nd Avenue. The proposal was due by October 15th, and Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards’ office says the District 3 representative will bring forward a budget modification at the October 8th Board of Commissioners meeting to fund enhanced cleaning services along 82nd Avenue.

Two workers in neon yellow jackets labeled 'CLEAN START' are wheeling trash bins along a sidewalk near a bus stop on a cloudy day. — *_{CCC crew members Victor Leon and Charlie Smelser collecting litter from NE 82nd Ave and Glisan St in 2025}*

The fiscal year 2027 budget note acknowledges that County and community-based providers operate locations within the 82nd Avenue corridor that serve the community, including health and human services and shelters. Those activities, along with the density of private businesses and residences in the area, contribute to increased waste and biohazards. The request points to the 2024-enacted Gateway Management District as a template. It funds Basic Sidewalk Cleaning services in the area adjacent to the Gateway Transit Center and the 122nd/Menlo Park Park & Ride. That program is a three-year partnership between the City of Portland, TriMet, and Multnomah County. Each entity contributes $100,000 a year to that Gateway program.

Map showing a section of streets including SE 72nd Avenue and SE 82nd Avenue, with routes highlighted in orange and blue, and a compass indicating north. — _{Multnomah County provided map. Blue lines indicate cleaning that is currently happening once a week. Pink indicates weekly serviced routes as of first week of October. Anything inside the orange box could increase to 3 times a week.}

Brim-Edwards wants $150,000 in General Fund Contingency money to cover two additional days of service on 82nd Avenue through June 30th, 2027. That would increase cleaning service to three days a week in select areas on 82nd Avenue and adjacent high-use streets between NE Killingsworth and SE
Harney Streets. During those cleanups, crews remove trash and debris from public sidewalks, including biohazards and needles, and rinse the sidewalk or pressure-wash as needed. In addition to removing small litter items such as wrappers or plastic bags, workers assigned to the area will coordinate the removal of large items like shopping carts or mattresses if they cannot remove them themselves.

A white pickup truck from Central City Concern with colorful floral designs parked in a commercial area, loaded with trash bags and tools.

Area residents began seeing cleanup crews from Central City Concern (CCC) in October 2025 as Public Environment Management Office (PEMO) led programs started providing basic sidewalk cleaning services in Montavilla’s major business corridors. At the time of the program’s launch, contractors visited Portland’s busiest locations to clean up trash and biohazards from sidewalks on a weekly, bi-monthly, or quarterly cadence, depending on conditions in the area. This County-supported sanitation expansion could significantly improve conditions along 82nd Avenue by better addressing the frequently recurring litter common along the corridor. People interested in providing public testimony about this program expansion can fill out the County’s sign-up form or submit written testimony by Wednesday, October 7th.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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Julia Brim-Edwards is seeking the Multnomah County Chair position. Montavilla News does not endorse individual candidates or ballot measures.

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