This month catch the latest from Meikelo Cabbage, Downtown Advocacy Coordinator for Downtown Portland Clean & Safe. | | Bloom Tour 2026: Become a sponsor! | | Bloom Tour 2026 is just around the corner, and the Downtown Portland Clean & Safe team is looking for sponsors! The Bloom Tour is a free, walkable, city-wide celebration of floral artistry, creativity, and placemaking. In 2025, the Bloom Tour featured 47 installations across Downtown, Old Town, and the Lloyd District, paired with live events and in-store activations. This year, the Bloom Tour will run from May 21 – June 8. Please consider supporting this unique floral event! | | Portland artists & retailers, join Bloom Tour! | | Are you a Portland-area florist interested in showcasing your craft at Bloom Tour 2026, or a downtown vendor hoping to host a floral display? We are now accepting applications for artists, florists, and retailers ready to make Portland bloom! This year’s Bloom Tour will introduce a few fun new elements: awards, audience participation, and live plantings with PBOT, as well as the usual stunning array of installations across downtown. | | February activations bring thousands downtown | | For nine nights this February, the streets of Portland were full of brilliant art, cozy moments, and community joy. Thousands of Portlanders took the opportunity to dine, shop, and explore downtown during the Portland Staycation: Winter Edition and the Portland Winter Light Festival. Read more about this month’s activations on our website. | | Portland's brand-new downtown park is open for rental! | | Darcelle XV Plaza, a brand-new park coming soon to downtown Portland, is now available for summer rentals! The park honors the late Walter Cole and the legacy of the Darcelle XV Showplace, the longest-running drag cabaret on the West Coast. Like Director Park, Darcelle XV Plaza will host performances, art installations, festivals, and community gatherings year-round. Stay tuned for the grand opening! | | Rent Director Park for your summer event | | With more than 300 events and activations annually, Director Park is a go-to spot for performances, art installations, photoshoots, weddings, and your summer 2026 event or celebration. The park is a European-style plaza with ample seating, a popular fountain, and a glass canopy with dynamic lightning. | | We're hiring: Sidewalk Ambassadors | | Do you love downtown Portland? Want to help visitors and community members experience all the great things downtown? We’re looking for energetic, outgoing individuals to join our team as Sidewalk Ambassadors—a highly visible, friendly group providing world-class hospitality in the heart of the city. If this sounds like you, apply at the link below! | | 2026 State of Downtown and the Central City Report | | DPCS sponsors the annual State of Downtown and the Central City Report, with research by ECOnorthwest. This year’s findings suggest that the path to downtown recovery will depend less on restoring past commuting patterns and more on building a Central City that attracts a stronger mix of residents, visitors, and activity throughout the day and week. | | PDX Pop-Up Shops transition into permanent storefronts | | Good news for downtown Portland! The 16th annual Holiday PDX Pop-Up Shops, hosted by Downtown Portland Clean & Safe has once again delivered meaningful economic and community impact by supporting local entrepreneurs, filling vacant storefronts, and strengthening Portland’s small business ecosystem. Three of our holiday pop-up participants have signed leases creating permanent locations in downtown. | | Kevin McGraham named a 2026 Global OSPA winner for Contract Security Manager/Director! | | We are proud to report that Kevin McGraham, our Public Safety Contract Director, has been named a 2026 Global Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) winner for Contract Security Manager/Director! Kevin advanced to the Global OSPAs after earning the 2025 U.S. OSPA. Kevin has been in his role since we began our contract with GardaWorld, and we sincerely appreciate his leadership! | | There's so much to explore at Director Park this month! Join us for these free community events in February. | |
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Marsh & Mallow have moved into the Glass Kiosk at Director Park! Come grab a treat! Hours: Wednesday - Sunday: 12-10:30 PM
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If you are a business or property owner located within the
Clean & Safe District, please call 503-388-3888.
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SAFETY coordinators, can help with:
- Disorderly behavior
- Public drinking
- Individuals sleeping in doorways or blocking access
- Advice on a security issue
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CLEANING crew, can help with:
- Cleaning the sidewalk
- Removing graffiti on the building walls facing the street, no higher than 8'
- Picking up needles or other biohazards
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Hours of operation:
Cleaning:
Monday - Friday, 7 AM - 6 PM
Saturday & Sunday, 7 AM - 3 PM
Security: 24/7
For an emergency, you should call 911 immediately. Call Clean & Safe AFTER you have confirmed a police officer is on the way to your location.
For non-emergencies, call the Portland Police at 503-823-3333.
| | Downtown Portland Clean & Safe provides enhanced services to the people, places, and businesses across 273-blocks of downtown. Transparency is core to our work. Each month, we share the stats and data that show our impact. | | Join us on March 26 for the Downtown Retail Council! | |
The DRC brings together retailers, restaurateurs, and hoteliers to strengthen Downtown Portland's business community. Share insights, solve challenges together, and connect with fellow downtown business owners.
We meet on the fourth Thursday of each month (January-October) from 9–10 AM. All consumer businesses in Downtown and Old Town are welcome.
Questions? Email Sydney Mead at sydney@downtownportland.org
| | Downtown Portland has new businesses to explore! Stop by and support local. | |
If you have opened or plan on opening a retail business downtown this year, please reach out to our Senior Director of Downtown Programs, Sydney Mead.
| | Downtown Portland keeps getting better! Whether you're a regular or discovering something new, there's always a reason to head this way. This month, explore these events and businesses. | | |
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Portland Dining Month
More than 100 of Portland’s most celebrated restaurants are offering 3 course meals at $35 and $55 for all of March. Many of these restaurants are located in the Downtown Clean & Safe district: Higgins, Departure, Bistro Alder, Mama Mia Trattoria, Hubers, and more. Make your reservation, bring your appetite, and explore what makes Portland a culinary destination.
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PDX Indoor Oasis, 901 SW 1st Ave
A new adorable plant shop is now open in Downtown! Portland’s Indoor Oasis offers modern plants and curated gifts. They are located at the base of the World Trade Center, just a block from Naito Parkway and the SW Waterfront. Whether you’re looking for a flashy statement plant or a little succulent, stop by Monday – Friday from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
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Kells Irish Festival
Kells Portland Irish Festival will take place on March 13-17, 2026! Join the fun for a weekend full of Irish music, dance, and culture at Kells Brewery, Kells Irish Pub, and Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Bring the whole family for Family Day on Saturday, March 14th, from 11 AM–5 PM, to enjoy live entertainment, Irish dance performances, and plenty of kid-friendly activities—from face painting to a meet-and-greet with majestic Irish wolfhounds!
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Shamrock Run Fest 2026
Shamrock Half Marathon Run Fest is Portland’s longest running tradition. With a fast, scenic course through downtown, roaring crowd support, and an electric St. Patrick’s Day atmosphere, this race is where every runner can shine. Join the fun on March 15, 2026, with whichever race is most your speed: the half marathon, 8k, 5k, stride, or lucky lap (for the kids). Afterwards, enjoy live music and craft beer.
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Our team wants to support your business!
If you would like to be featured in an upcoming write-up, please email Sydney at sydney@downtownportland.org.
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Want to know more?
Discover more in Travel Portland's ultimate guide to Downtown Portland, featuring unique shops, unforgettable restaurants, iconic coffee roasters, and one-of-a-kind activities.
| | There's a lot happening downtown. Here's recent coverage of the investments, improvements, and ongoing work that's shaping Portland's urban center. |
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Dozens rally outside Keller Auditorium, urging city to renovate building rather than repurpose or demolish it, Feb. 25
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‘Big Pink’ owner closes on additional downtown Portland building for $10 million, Feb. 25
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Ani DiFranco, Modest Mouse and more: 15 concerts coming to downtown Portland this summer, Feb. 24
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Luxury for less: Deep discounts aim to spark Downtown Portland comeback, Feb. 24
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Departure's new chef on what to expect at the Portland staple, Feb. 23
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CVS to close downtown Portland store near Pioneer Courthouse Square, Feb. 20
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The last two Chinese restaurants in Portland’s Chinatown hold on — and hope for a comeback, Feb. 17
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Viewpoint: The critical role cultural institutions can play in spurring downtown Portland's development, Feb. 17
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Portland's 2026 state of the economy shows 'clear warning trends amid stalled population growth, job losses, Feb. 12
| | Learn the latest from our Affiliates | | Connect with us on social! | | About Downtown Portland Clean & Safe | | |
Downtown Portland Clean & Safe is a private, nonprofit organization that contracts with the Portland Business Alliance to provide enhanced cleaning and security services, marketing, and economic development programs to downtown property owners.
The Downtown Portland Clean & Safe District provides extraordinary essential services to the people, places, and businesses within a core 273-block area of our unique city. Operating since 1988, the district is one of the oldest, largest, and most successful enhanced service districts in the nation.
Hours of operation:
Cleaning:
Monday - Friday, 7 AM - 6 PM
Saturday & Sunday, 7 AM - 3 PM
Security: 24/7
Download District Map (pdf)
For service, call 503-388-3888.
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| | Copyright © 2026 Downtown Portland Clean & Safe. All rights reserved. | | | | |
