Tag: Washington Street

Community, Event, Food and Drink, Montavilla

Holiday Season 2025 Starts in Montavilla

Once again, the opening of Red Shed Christmas Trees officially starts the holiday season in the area with the reopening of its Montavillage market in the Vinje & Son’s parking lot near SE 78th Avenue and Washington Street. That festive start leads to the public Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, December 6th at 5 p.m. in the Public Plaza at SE 79th Avenue and Stark Street, featuring a Red Shed tree. Then, local businesses have a host of WinterFest activities planned throughout December to keep people in a celebratory and giving mood.

A festive gathering around a brightly lit Christmas tree, with people celebrating in winter attire, as the evening sky glows in the background.
Tree Lighting Ceremony December 2024

Montavilla’s only seasonal tree lot in the historic downtown has grown into a winter holiday market over the years, with youth activities, handcrafted gifts, baked goods, standard wreaths, and the hard-to-find juniper wreaths. These offerings are in addition to Douglas, Nordmann, and Noble Fir trees of various sizes. That tradition almost ended after a disappointing series of targeted thefts in 2024. “It was super discouraging. We were hit three times in one month, and I didn’t know if I was going to be able to open it this year. But so many people reached out to say, ‘You’re a big part of the community, and we would really hate to see you go.’ That just meant the world to us, so we pulled out all the stops, and we’re trying to recover,” said Red Shed owner Lesle Janssen. She notes that the Montavilla East Tabor Business Association (METBA) and neighbors are providing the support needed to make this a better year. Janssen did not want to dwell on the negative side of things because it distracts from the spirit of the holiday season, which drives her annual efforts. “You know, it’s been a crazy year, and we just really want to maintain that sense of community. We’re not here just to sell trees, we’re here to be a part of a community.”

A display of handmade beeswax candles in various shapes, including Christmas trees and roses, on a wooden shelf at a market.
Beeswax candles from Hannah Miller, Waxing & Raining Handmade Goods

Customers from previous years will recognize many vendors selling their works in the boutique gift booth. They feature pottery and soaps from Shane Reaney Studios, and those looking for a mood-setting addition to their centerpiece can find distinctive beeswax candles from Hannah Miller through her company, Waxing & Raining Handmade Goods. “She has beautiful Christmas tree wax candles that are gorgeous and some morel mushrooms,” described Janssen. The boutique will also carry “pocket mistletoe” made from pet-safe materials to avoid poisonings. PumpkinPatchHandmade sells knitwear, and the shop now offers “Red Shed Montavilla” embroidered waxed ball caps by Rustek, featuring weather-resistant properties made from sustainable natural materials. Shoppers can also purchase McTavish Shortbread confections as an edible treat while supplies last. These baked-to-order items are a special treat rarely available in small quantities and often sell out, but Janssen plans to have a good supply.

Two hats stacked on a table, one gray with 'MONTAVILLA' embroidered and one olive green with 'Red Shed Tree People' logo. A tag reads 'THE MOST SUSTAINABLE HATS ON EARTH'.
“Red Shed Montavilla” embroidered waxed ball caps by Rustek

This year, they have wood ornaments featuring artwork from Grace Babcock’s Graceful Botanical designs. They feature burned natural imagery on the wood pucks made from tree ends. Sugar pinecones have returned as a holiday decorating option sold by Red Shed. Janssen said they are “huge,” measuring 6 to 14 inches. “They’re really good on table runners around candle displays. You can take two of them and twine them together and put a bow on them as door ornaments,” said Janssen. “They’re just so incredibly beautiful, and they hold up well in water for a cylindrical display of a bouquet. You sink one of those into your glass instead of using stones, and they look amazing.” This year, they have unique crescent-shaped swags. “A swag is a half-round wreath, and we’re making those in-house this year, and people can come watch us make their swag,” explained Janssen.

A display of various Christmas wreaths adorned with pinecones and greenery, hanging on a wooden wall at a seasonal market.

Red Shed trees come from Greg Smith’s Molalla Tree Farms, where they locally harvest trees raised with minimal pesticides. With 200 acres of naturally grown product, Janssen values the dependable relationship with the Molalla, Oregon, grower. “Our trees are looking really, really good this year. Even though we had a really hot summer, we had just enough water to get them good”, said Janssen. However, she noted that some varieties were not so lucky. “We are not selling grands this year. They did not weather very well.”

As in years past, the owner’s mother, Janie Janssen, assembled 400 bags of special supplies for kids to craft with, but they are available only while supplies last. The lot also offers a large outdoor-themed backdrop for family photos. Additionally, for people interested in a wintry brew, a collaboration with Montavilla Brew Works grants tree purchasers a special deal on local beer. Customers will take their “Tree Cookie” token a block over to 7805 SE Stark Street and receive a discount on a four-pack or growler refill.

Wooden ornaments with intricate burned designs hanging next to a display of assorted botanical greeting cards and a red beanie on mannequin heads.
Wood ornaments featuring artwork from Grace Babcock’s Graceful Botanical

Red Shed Christmas Trees is closed on Thanksgiving and officially opens on Friday, November 28th. As early as November 21st, shoppers began walking in to buy a tree and gifts, showing eagerness to start celebrating their winter traditions. “People were calling me early this year asking me when we were going to open,” recalled Janssen. They allowed people to come in during setup hours and shop as they have in the past. However, this year’s demand was higher than expected. “We’ve just been selling trees like crazy,” remarked Janssen.

A hand holding a small, handmade 'pocket mistletoe' crafted from green and white materials, with a red string for hanging.
“pocket mistletoe” made from pet-safe knitted materials

People can visit the tree lot every day between November 28th and December 23rd. They open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, with extended hours to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays. Janssen also noted that they can hold trees past the closing date for culturally specific customs. “If Russian Orthodox customers would like us to save them some trees, we can also do that.” That community often follows the Julian calendar, placing Christmas on January 7th, and tree purchases occur later in December. Due to the adjacent parking lot closure, they ask visitors to park on the street and then hold a parking spot in the limited space for customers to load their tree.

A snowy path lined with Christmas trees in a market, with a sign indicating 'CASH ONLY' for transactions.
Rows of trees and a sign noting cash only sales on the lot

Whenever people celebrate the winter season, METBA businesses are collaborating to support the community with music and festive cheer. From December 1st through the 20th, patrons of participating local storefronts can use the “Shop Local Montavilla” passport to earn stickers toward a raffle entry. In addition to the December 6th Tree Lighting Ceremony, Board Bard Games at 7960 SE Stark Street will host a Santa Party on December 13th with a free family event. Starting at 11 a.m., attendees can enjoy cocoa and a treat while taking a festive photo with Santa. Business district celebrations wrap up on Saturday, December 20th, with the “Merry Montavilla SoirÉe.” Starting at 4 p.m., people can enjoy food and drink specials across Montavilla while earning double stickers for the Winterfest passport.

A juniper wreath hanging at a seasonal tree lot, with Christmas trees visible in the background and festive lights strung around the area.

METBA also notes that this is a season of giving. Many supportive groups are working in the area, and they can always use donations. This year, the business association’s sponsored donation drive will accept food, kids’ clothes, adult coats, laundry cards, Fred Meyer gift cards, and toys for the Vestal Elementary School PTA to distribute to families in need. People can drop off donations throughout December during the WinterFest events and at the Montavilla Burgerville at 8218 NE Glisan Street.

Disclosure: Lesle Janssen provided a free sample of “pocket mistletoe” to MV News

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Build & Paint Portland, a trusted Portland house painting and carpentry company dedicated to renewing and improving homes in Portland. Many neighborhood homes have used this local company to refresh and brighten their homes, and they want to take special care of area residents. We thank them for their support.

Infrastructure

Stark and Washington Safety Project Open House

Portland transportation officials have begun public outreach and project development for the SE Stark and Washington Street Safety Project, with an expected groundbreaking in 2028. The streetscape improvement work will focus on the SE Stark and Washington one-way couplet, from 92nd to 108th Avenues, adding protected bike lanes with enhanced pedestrian crossing points and updates to transit stops. The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) also plans to upgrade traffic signal systems at six intersections. Early design ideas consider reducing travel lanes while adding more street trees and improving pedestrian space, building on the work west of this project as part of the Jade and Montavilla Multimodal Improvements Project, which is already underway. An online Open House features detailed information on potential project elements, accompanied by a survey that will remain open through November 2025.

Map illustrating the SE Stark and Washington Street Safety Project, highlighting types of improvements such as protected bike lanes, signal upgrades, and enhanced bus stops.
Project area map courtesy PBOT

According to the posted project information, PBOT states that the four lanes of one-way traffic on both SE Stark and Washington currently accommodate approximately 2,800 vehicles per hour. However, traffic volumes during peak times do not exceed 1,700 vehicles per hour, resulting in the wide roadway being at 60% utilization. City traffic engineers consider 90% utilization on a roadway as “major congestion,” meaning these streets have excess capacity even for the Bureau’s projected 5 to 15% increase in area traffic by 2045. PBOT believes that this anticipated excess capacity will enable lane reconfigurations that reduce vehicle capacity without negatively impacting drive times beyond moderate congestion during peak usage periods. The street adjustments make way for adding curbside amenities such as concrete and parking-protected bike lanes, street trees, and shorter crosswalks.

Map indicating Vision Zero crash data along SE Stark and Washington Streets, featuring markers with numerical values representing crash incidents at various intersections.
PBOT provided graphic showing the number of serious injury crashes along the corridor from 2015 to 2022

Proposed bus platforms in the project area could receive bike lane updates similar to the ones created for the SE Division FX Bus Rapid Transit system. They may implement the same bike ramp system, which allows cyclists to travel over the extended nose of the rider loading area when not in use. This design enables the platform to extend out to the bus travel lane at a nearly level boarding height, while still allowing bike riders to maintain a relatively straight path unblocked by the transit vehicle shouldered at the stop. The area may also utilize bus-only lanes to keep buses running on time and increase transit reliability.

A section of SE Stark Street featuring newly designed curb extensions, marked bike lanes, and a bus stop. The sidewalk is wide with pedestrian crossing signage and street amenities, indicative of improvements aimed at enhancing safety for cyclists and pedestrians.
SE Division St FX Bus Rapid Transit platform with bike over lane (Jacob Loeb)

The project area includes two freeway passovers, and PBOT will need to maintain and add turn lanes required for Interstate 205 access ramps while implementing new safety features. Signal updates would replace several of the remaining cable-hung traffic lights with modern pole- and mast-arm-mounted signals that also support new bike signals. Updated signal control systems would utilize “pedestrian head start” timing to give pedestrians the walk signal several seconds ahead of vehicles, thereby reducing conflicts caused by both street users trying to enter the crosswalk at the same time. New curb extensions that push out into the parking lanes of an intersection will enhance pedestrian visibility while waiting to cross and reduce on-street crossing time. Those updated sidewalk corners will include curb ramps and pedestrian push buttons that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

Illustration of proposed streetscape improvements for SE Stark and Washington streets, featuring enhanced bike lanes, pedestrian crossings, traffic signals, and urban landscaping.
Rendering of possible road configuration at SE Washington St and SE Stark St at 102nd Ave. Courtesy PBOT

PBOT expects the street reconfiguration to add more amenities for transit riders, pedestrians, and cyclists. However, drivers heading to destinations in the area will gain added on-street parking on SE Washington Street and SE Stark Street based on current early designs. Planners estimate that businesses could acquire approximately 47 additional parking spaces along this corridor under a Main Street configuration. Visible curbside parking and an expanded tree canopy will help attract visitors to the area and encourage property owners to reconfigure their street frontages, placing more structures closer to the sidewalk.

Map showing recommended improvements for the SE Stark and Washington Street Safety Project, including crossing, traffic safety, bike lane, and bus stop locations, along with nearby schools and parks.
Map from the July 2017 Growing Transit Communities Plan

Project funding for this work comes from multiple sources, including $5,332,000 from Metro’s Regional Flexible Fund Allocation (RFFA), $5,030,000 from Fixing Our Streets, and $727,000 from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF). General Transportation Revenues, primarily sourced from user-based fees, will contribute $511,629 for ADA Ramps and $200,000 from Quick Build funds.

PBOT invites individuals interested in learning more about the Stark and Washington Safety Project to visit the online Open House and then share their perspectives via the survey by the end of November 2025.

By

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Check out East Portland News as it continues to advocate for and report on outer East Portland. You will find frequently updated articles and an archive of more than 5,000 stories written over the past 20+ years alongside a robust Community Calendar of events.

Infrastructure, Transportation

New 82nd Ave Signal Allows Left onto SE Washington

Crews working with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) activated the new left-turn signal at SE 82nd Avenue and Washington Street on November 12th, allowing left turns at this high-traffic intersection for the first time in decades. This change is part of work underway on SE 82nd Avenue around the SE Stark Washington couplet, where PBOT added center lane medians with space for street trees and raised concrete turn lane separators.

View of SE 82nd Avenue featuring road construction with orange traffic barrels, a newly activated left-turn signal, and vehicles on the road.
New SE 82nd Ave left turn lane for southbound drivers wanting to head east on SE Washington St

The newly activated traffic light permits southbound drivers on 82nd Avenue to turn eastbound at a signal-controlled intersection where they previously needed to use an unsignalized intersection further south and navigate back to SE Washington Street. Alternatively, those motorists could head westbound on the one-way SE Stark and loop a block over to the one-way SE Washington Street, which travels eastbound. This change reduced the queue depth for northbound 82nd Avenue drivers turning west to accommodate the opposing traffic’s left turn. This compromise could create a more intuitive driving experience with well-defined left turns, road elements, and minimize the prior confusion some motorists experienced when using the one-way street couplet from 82nd Avenue.

Traffic signal at the intersection of SE 82nd Avenue and Washington Street, showing a new left-turn signal for southbound drivers.

Road crews recently completed raised center lane medians on SE 82nd Avenue north of SE Stark Street and south of SE Washington Street. These new medians provide protection for the new turn lane configuration between them and block the potential wrong-way left turns on the one-way streets. Tree wells, located in the center medians, enable the planting of up to ten new trees or other vegetation along the roadway, thereby increasing the urban tree canopy and reducing summer temperatures in the area. Cement masons finished the median concrete surface between the tree wells with red coloring and a brick pattern, which delivers a cost-effective and decorative aesthetic.

Close-up view of newly installed raised center lane medians on SE 82nd Avenue, featuring a textured red concrete surface and yellow painted edges, alongside road traffic.
New SE 82nd Ave raised center median north of Stark St with brick pattern treatment

Drivers can already use the new 82nd Avenue left turn signal to drive eastbound on SE Washington Street. PBOT will implement other signal improvements at the intersection, including bike and bus lights, as well as updates to some through traffic signals for safer right turns from eastbound Washington Street, which is part of the Jade and Montavilla Multimodal Improvements Project. Look for continued work in the area, and street users should anticipate minor traffic pattern updates at impacted intersections.

Article and phots by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Otter Wax, a neighborhood producer of small-batch specialty goods handcrafted in Portland. Using only natural ingredients, they make modern care products that are steeped in tradition. We thank them for their support.

Construction, Infrastructure

SE Washington Sidewalk Infill 80th to 82nd

Starting on Monday, September 15th, contractors working with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will begin creating new sidewalks on the south side of SE Washington Street from 80th Avenue to 82nd Avenue. This predominantly Fixing Our Streets-funded project will construct two blocks of paved sidewalks that have been missing from the streetscape for decades. Work coincides with recent updates to lane configuration on the street and includes the removal of a temporary TriMet bus platform, which the transit provider added in 2021 for rider safety. During construction, users of the eastbound 15 bus line will need to use an alternate boarding location as crews will close Stop ID 6165 near the SE 80th Avenue worksite.

A temporary closure sign at a transit stop on SE Washington Street, indicating the stop will close beginning September 15, 2025, and directing passengers to board at Washington and 82nd.

This infrastructure work is the final phase of a multi-step project that includes sidewalk construction along the south side of SE Washington Street, updates to three sidewalk corners featuring Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant curb ramps, and creation of a curb extension for the northeast corner of SE Washington Street at SE 80th Avenue. The pedestrian zone extension at SE 80th will push the intersection corner into the adjacent parking lane to better align with the recently rebuilt northwest corner and shorten the crosswalk distance for people crossing SE Washington Street.

Construction site for new sidewalks along the south side of SE Washington Street, with traffic cones and barrier fencing visible.

In 2024, crews completed previous phases of project work, installing a sump maintenance hole at the intersection of SE 81st Avenue and SE Washington Street. Around that time, contractors working on the 70s Greenway project installed an enhanced crossing point for SE Washington Street at SE 80th Avenue featuring rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFB) that cyclists and pedestrians can activate to alert motorists of their intent to enter the roadway.

A historical map showing the layout of streets and blocks in Montavilla, Portland, Oregon, with labels indicating street names and numbers.
Sanborn Map overview from 1909

The lack of sidewalks along these two blocks stems from the early platting of Montavilla. In pre-twentieth-century uses, these adjacent parcels existed in a superblock bordered by Base Line Road(now SE Stark Street), 82nd Avenue, Taylor Street, and 80th Avenue. It later became part of the Goodhue Park land division. Now they host Milwaukie Lumber’s lumberyard storage and an Atlas Motors used car lot. Both businesses have frequent curb-cuts for driveway access that cement masons will recreate when pouring concrete for new sidewalks.

Construction site on SE Washington Street with barricades blocking the road and signage indicating 'Additional Parking'.

Buses and cyclists will lose access to the south side curb-adjacent lane in the project area while crews work in the area. Drivers already gained a through and right-turn combined lane during the recent reconfiguration of SE Washington Street at 82nd Avenue, which should remain open during construction. This sidewalk infill work will enhance pedestrian and transit access to the area while making safer crossing points. Work is weather-dependent, and delays could prolong the bus stop closure. Riders should continue to check TriMet’s website or trip planner until the stop reopens.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Otter Wax, a neighborhood producer of small-batch specialty goods handcrafted in Portland. Using only natural ingredients, they make modern care products that are steeped in tradition. We thank them for their support.

Infrastructure

SE Thorburn Stark and Washington Lane Striping

On August 25th, crews with Specialized Pavement Marking (SPM) removed lane markings on SE Thorburn, Stark, and Washington Streets as part of the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s (PBOT) reconfiguration of the roads for safer bike and pedestrian use. When road stripers repaint the streets, drivers on SE Thorburn and Washington Streets lose a lane of travel in each direction, and cyclists will gain bike lanes with protection in most places from SE Gilham Avenue to SE 92nd Avenue. PBOT will retain much of the existing street parking on both sides of SE Washington Street for a critical two-block segment. The road striping plan will replace removed curbside parking on SE Washington with bike-lane-adjacent parking from SE 76th to 80th Avenues to create a protected buffer for the five-foot-wide curbside cyclist route. Driving lane reductions on SE Thorburn Street and parts of SE Gilham Avenue will create space for a painted bike lane on the northwest traveling side of the road and a raised concrete traffic separator-protected bike lane on the southeast traveling side, with space for an on-pavement pedestrian track where missing sidewalks have previously challenged pedestrian access.

View of a residential street with bike lane signage and parked cars along the side, indicating road adjustments for safer cycling and parking.
SE Washington Street with MV News created illustrations showing approximate lane configuration (not to scale)

This work is part of the Jade and Montavilla Multimodal Improvements Project. The SPM crews will add over 20 marked parking spaces on SE Washington Street, replacing the southernmost travel lane. The recrated parking capacity offers slightly fewer stalls than the removed spaces. Still, it is a significant benefit for area businesses and residents living in housing on that street who do not have on-site parking options. Its design also offers cyclists a physical buffer between fast-moving downhill traffic. The project will likewise reconfigure SE Stark Street west of SE 76th Avenue. The existing bike lane will extend west, replacing curbside parking with some adjacent spaces created between the travel lane and the bike path. A new traffic signal planned for a later phase in this project will aid cyclists turning south at SE 76th and Stark, and the southernmost lane of SE Stark Street will transition into a left-turn-only lane at the signal.

View of a street intersection featuring a tree, parked car, and road markings indicating upcoming changes. There are traffic cones and a no parking sign visible.

SE Washington Street Bike lanes east of SE 80th Avenue will use a mix of concrete traffic separator-protected bike lane cycling infrastructure and shared bus-bike lanes up to SE 92nd Avenue. Striping plans show TriMet bus drivers will have a consistent bus lane from SE 80th Avenue past SE 90th Avenue, with motorists having right-turn-only access to that bus lane at intersections. PBOT recently enhanced the crossings of SE Washington and Stark Streets at SE 84th Avenue for north-south traveling pedestrians. On SE Washington Street, new corners offer Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant curb ramps, curb extensions on the north side have shortened the crossing distance, and new pavement markings underway will add high-visibility crosswalks.

Digital sign displaying 'EXPECT LONG DELAYS' with traffic cones and a street sign for 76th Avenue in the background.

Drivers can anticipate disruptions to travel on SE Thorburn, Stark, and Washington Streets during the project work times of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. this week. People should anticipate seeing changes to traffic patterns and look for new signage indicating where parking is permitted. Motorists and pedestrians need to observe worker instructions and follow temporary routes when necessary as crews work in the street.

Construction, Infrastructure

SE Washington Lane Closures for Sidewalk Corner Construction

Nearly two months after completing under-road upgrades, road crews returned to SE Washington Street at 84th Avenue to reconstruct the four sidewalk corners at the intersection. For the next few weeks, eastbound drivers should anticipate work in the roadway with temporary lane closures between SE 82nd and 84th Avenues.

  • Northeast corner of SE Washington and 84th
  • Northeast corner of SE Washington and 84th

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is rebuilding the four sidewalk corners at this intersection as part of a future project to add a bike lane and enhanced pedestrian infrastructure to the street. Workers recently removed the existing north side corners and will soon create enhanced pedestrian infrastructure, including new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)- compliant ramps and curb extensions. The extended sidewalk corners bulb out into the parking lane of Washington Street, shortening the crosswalk distance and increasing visibility for people waiting to cross at the sidewalk’s edge.

  • Northwest corner of SE Washington and 84th
  • Northwest corner of SE Washington and 84th

Once contractors complete the north side, crews will reconstruct the south side sidewalk corners in a similar size to the existing infrastructure but with new ADA-compliant ramps that make this area more accessible to all street users. People should use caution in the work area. The Montavilla Sewing Centers remain open during this construction, but customers are advised to exercise caution when entering the parking lot adjacent to the worksite.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Otter Wax, a neighborhood producer of small-batch specialty goods handcrafted in Portland. Using only natural ingredients, they make modern care products that are steeped in tradition. We thank them for their support.

Construction, Demolition, Top 2025

Work on SE Stark Chick-fil-A Underway

In April, crews began converting an adult entertainment venue into Portland’s first Chick-fil-A restaurant within city limits since the Lloyd Center food court location closed in 2003. This project dates back to May 2022, when the national fast food chain explored development at 9950 SE Stark Street, opting to renovate the original structure to maintain its nonconforming use of the existing site. The 1984-era structure previously hosted Rax Roast Beef, Tony Roma’s, and Hooters restaurants before converting to Mystic Gentlemen’s Club and later Venue Gentlemen’s Club.

View of a partially renovated building under construction, with exposed wooden structure and fencing around the site, located on SE Stark Street.
9950 SE Stark Street stripped to its studs ahead of renovation (Jacob Loeb)

Complete demolition of the building would have required denser use of the rezoned property and prohibited the use as a single-story restaurant, so workers stripped the building down to its studs and repurposed existing structural elements in the new design. This property is in the Gateway Urban Renewal Area, which city planners hoped would become a second downtown. The Gateway District is predominantly zoned as Central Commercial (CX). City planners expect new developments in this area to maximize density and encourage urban activities. The CX zone allows projects with tall buildings placed close together. Developers working in this zone should create pedestrian-oriented structures that strongly emphasize a safe and attractive streetscape. To avoid the minimum density requirements in the CX zone, the Chick-fil-A on SE Stark Street must reuse the original building. Portland allows noncomplying use within a zone when the building predates the new standards and only expects zone compliance to occur when property owners significantly redevelop the site. The status of nonconforming structures is not affected by changes in ownership or tenants. The project’s initial demolition and drive-thru-oriented redevelopment plan would have needed to adhere to the CX standards. This renovation plan will create a Chick-fil-A that is different from most of the restaurant’s other locations without a drive-through option, but it will retain nonconforming status by maintaining the usage pattern of previous tenants.

  • April 2025 (Jacob Loeb)
  • January 2025 (Jacob Loeb)

An early morning fire at the location on January 4th  almost hampered redevelopment plans. However, Portland Fire & Rescue’s quick response kept the damage to a minimum and preserved most of the structure. This event was just one of the obstacles this project faced over the years. Chick-fil-A remained committed to buying this property even as its storied history played out in court with a 32-year-old man found guilty this month for a deadly shooting at this location in April 2024.

Firefighters responding to an emergency at the Venue Gentlemen's Club building, showcasing the structure's exterior with a sign and emergency lighting.
Firefighters working outside the shuttered Venue Gentlemen’s Club entrance. Photo by Dennis Weis, courtesy PF&R.

Over the next few months, crews will rework the facade and roof to incorporate a new entry vestibule. Sidewalk improvements around the site will join updates to the parking lot and ramp additions to increase accessible entry to the restaurant. Workers will restructure the interior with an all-new layout, including restrooms, a play area, a sit-down dining room, and kitchen space to meet the Chick-fil-A standards. People should anticipate sidewalk and lane closures around the property as workers transform this site. After crews complete the renovation, area residents should expect increased traffic around the property border by SE Stark Street, Washington Street, and 99th Avenue. The chicken-centric fast food company tends to draw many patrons, and its lack of drive-through service may exceed its onsite parking capacity, diverting drivers into other area parking. However, the property will have a designated “Delivery Drivers” area for app-based service providers taking orders directly to customers offsite.

Although the building will mostly retain its original footprint and parking lot, people should soon see a different level of customer interaction at this site, and it has the potential to draw in new visitors from the adjacent Interstate 205 commuter looking for a quick meal. Increased visitors at one location can improve surrounding locations’ sales but may also draw customers from local competitors. Chick-fil-A’s impact on the Gateway District will take years to materialize. Still, people have expressed appreciation for the change in business at that location and will appreciate seeing the site more active.

Update January 1, 2026: Construction is nearly complete and the franchisee anticipates opening the location in early 2026.

Exterior view of a Chick-fil-A restaurant under construction, featuring a fenced area, signage, and an entryway with large windows. The surrounding street includes sidewalk improvements and traffic signals.

By

Jacob Loeb

Correction: The article was updated to acknowledge the Lloyd Center food court location that closed in 2003.

Infrastructure

Pedestrian Struck at Inactive Signal

Around 7:25 PM on August 18th, a car driving westbound on SE Stark Street crashed into a pedestrian crossing the road at 80th Avenue. An ambulance transported the person to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The marked crosswalk at the intersection had newly installed Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) signals meant to indicate to drivers that they should yield to people crossing. However, the RRFB lights never began blinking because crews had not activated the equipment in the six months since Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) contractors installed them.

In January, crews installed signal equipment on SE Washington Street at 86th Avenue and SE Stark Street at 80th Avenue. These RRFBs remained unavailable to people trying to cross those intersections while city staff waited for road markings and new electric service from the power company PGE. Six months later, around August 2nd, linemen connected power lines to the safety signals at both intersections. However, crews only activated the RRFB signals on SE Washington Street at 86th Avenue. Despite the service line connection earlier this month, PBOT representative Dylan Rivera explained that power service is not yet active on SE Stark Street at 80th Avenue, leaving people crossing there less protected. While this equipment remained inoperable, residents complained that these inactive signals created an unsafe condition where motorists were unsure of people’s intent to cross because they had not activated the crossing signal.

PGE attached power line from August 2nd

Crews working for PBOT started construction on safety upgrades at SE Stark Street and 80th Avenue over a year ago. People visiting the historic Montavilla Downtown area frequently use this marked crosswalk. This fast-paced street has limited safe crossing points with two lanes for automotive westbound traffic. PBOT engineers decided to update safety infrastructure here as part of the 70s Neighborhood Greenway project that will increase non-automotive uses at this intersection. In June 2023, crews reconstructed street corners to widen the sidewalk and install mounting infrastructure to support the new signal hardware. Road workers patched and repaved the intersection after trenching and laying new conduits between the corners in September 2023. In January 2024, with snow still on the ground, signal specialists installed RRFB hardware on SE Washington Street and SE Stark Street at 80th Avenue.

Completed and active signal equipment on SE Washington Street at 86th Avenue

The RRFB equipment remained inactive, awaiting the prolonged dry weather painting contractors require when applying high-visibility crosswalks to the road surface. PBOT representatives explained that the bureau’s policy requires street markings before activating crossing signals like RRFBs. Hicks Striping & Curbing completed the crosswalk work this April, and PBOT activated the RRFB at SE Washington Street and 80th Avenue soon after. However, the SE Stark Street unit remained unpowered and offline, along with an RRFB at SE 86th Avenue and Washington Street that crews completed as part of another project. At times, PBOT marked the dormant safety devices with caution tape, alerting pedestrians and cyclists to the non-functional equipment. After a prolonged delay, the utility company added power line connections to RRFB control equipment in early August.

Reader submitted photo taken minutes after the August 18th crash

This Sunday night crash occurred in the evening as the sun set behind Mt. Tabor, possibly limiting visibility. The RRFB equipment is designed to aid crossing pedestrians where light conditions or other distractions make them less visible to drivers. At the time of the crash, the activation buttons at this intersection were covered in caution tape, indicating they were not functioning. Witness reports say that one vehicle stopped for the pedestrian while a car in the second lane of the one-way street continued past, striking the southbound pedestrian and sending them to the ground. People at the nearby bar and restaurant residents saw the incident and called emergency services. Portland Fire & Rescue workers assisted the injured person until the ambulance arrived, and the driver of the car cooperated with the investigation.

Rivera expressed PBOT’s concern for the pedestrian and reinforced the need for signal equipment. “Injuries from crashes like this can impact a person for years, and our thoughts are with them and their community. Pedestrian beacons and crossing improvements such as the one nearly completed at this location can greatly improve visibility for pedestrians, and they have been shown nationally to reduce the chances of a fatal or serious injury crash. Even after the beacon is activated, we need everyone to use caution when driving on our streets.” PBOT has not set a timeline for activating this new safety equipment and is waiting on the utility company.

Update: As of August 20th, the RRFB signals on SE Stark Street at 80th Avenue are functional.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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Infrastructure

High-visibility Crossing at SE 80th and Stark

On April 18th, crews with Hicks Striping & Curbing began applying high-visibility crosswalks and bike crossings to SE Stark Street at SE 80th Avenue. Workers plan to continue the street painting process one block south on SE Washington, completing this section of the 70s Neighborhood Greenway project. With road markings applied, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) can energize the rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFB) installed at each intersection to aid pedestrians and cyclists trying to cross these busy streets. Winter weather delayed this work, leaving both intersections without painted lanes or crosswalks. This work is a welcomed update to what has grown to be a problematic crossing point during construction.

Road crews began project work at this intersection in June 2023, completing most infrastructure work by January 2024. During that time, street users did not have a marked crosswalk or the ability to use the installed RRFBs. According to PBOT representative Hannah Schafer, crossing lights require street markings. “We must complete the striping of the crosswalks before we can turn on the RRFBs. As soon as the weather allows, we plan to complete the striping, and then we will activate the RRFBs.” That delay frustrated many pedestrians who found that cars would not stop reliably for people attempting to cross.

Drivers traveling through these intersections and users of the Greenway should plan for delays and detours during this phase of work. Crews will need to close through traffic on SE 80th Avenue and reduce east-west travel lanes one at a time to apply the street markings. Work will take several days to complete, but the favorable weather forecast should allow for the speedy completion of this project. People on foot and bike should have a safer experience crossing SE Stark and Washington Streets at 80th shortly, thanks to the striped crosswalk, bike crossing, and RRFBs.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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Construction, Infrastructure

New SE Washington Signal at 86th Ave

Over the last few weeks, crews working for the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) installed electrical conduit and signal pole mounting hardware on SE Washington Street at SE 86th Avenue. In the next phase of this project, cement masons will patch the sidewalk removed for conduit trench work. Then, workers will install traffic signal poles and equipment to support the new pedestrian and bicycle crossing infrastructure.

Electrical conduit and signal pole mounting hardware

This intersection is part of Portland’s bikeway network and a frequently used route to several parks and schools. A decade ago, SE Stark Street received similar safety enhancements at 86th Avenue. At that intersection, road crews installed a raised median that acts as a pedestrian refuge island and traffic diverter. Cutouts for bicycles allow for two-wheeled north-south travel while preventing cars from crossing SE Stark Street. SE Stark and Washington Streets are part of a one-way couplet that supports similar traffic levels, making this work a high priority for the transportation bureau.

PBOT provide intersection design document MV News added red dots are signal request buttons

Unlike the SE Stark improvements, the SE Washington Street design will not prevent cross-traffic on SE 86th Avenue. Instead, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) will activate when a pedestrian or bike rider presses a button to request the signal. PBOT will mount the flashing beacons at the sides of SE Washington to alert eastbound drivers. Each sidewalk corner will have a button to activate the RRFB mounted at pedestrian height near the curb ramps. Two additional controls are placed at the curb’s edge so cyclists can start the flashing beacons without dismounting from their bikes. Traffic engineers positioned signal activation hardware on the right side of the road near the intersection for both north and southbound cyclists, allowing them to pull over just a few feet to press the button.

Design documents indicate painters will install green striped bike-crossing markings next to this intersection’s existing high visibility crosswalk. Additional street lighting infill is also part of the intersection design, making this heavily tree-covered area safer at night. This signal work is part of a larger project constructing traffic signals and adding streetlights across the city. Crews are already ahead of the posted schedule for this project. Work may slow down during the winter months. However, if the pace continues, PBOT could complete this crossing before the announced summer 2024 timeframe.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscribers or sponsors. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.