Southwest Third Avenue

Southwest Third Avenue
Name	Southwest Third Avenue
Location	Portland, Oregon, Multnomah County, Oregon
Direction a	South
Direction b	North
Terminus a	OR 43 / Terwilliger Boulevard
Terminus b	Willamette River / Old Town Chinatown
Maintenance	City of Portland

Southwest Third Avenue is a major north–south thoroughfare in Portland, Oregon running through the Southwest Portland and Downtown Portland areas on the west bank of the Willamette River. The avenue connects neighborhoods, public spaces, commercial districts, transit hubs, and civic institutions, intersecting with major corridors such as Burnside Street, US 26 and I-5. It has played roles in urban planning debates involving entities like the Port of Portland, Metro, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Route description

Southwest Third Avenue begins near the Southwest Hills and proceeds north through Goose Hollow, past South Portland residential zones and into the South Waterfront vicinity before entering Downtown Portland. Along the way it crosses major east–west arteries including Canyon Road, Jefferson Street, and Taylor Street, and passes adjacent to transit nodes such as Portland Transit Mall, Union Station, and Pioneer Courthouse Square. The avenue runs parallel to I-405 for portions and terminates near waterfront facilities including the Tom McCall Waterfront Park and the Hawthorne Bridge approaches, linking to riverfront infrastructures like Bull Run Watershed access corridors and the Willamette River Greenway.

History

Originally laid out during the 19th century Portland grid planning influenced by figures associated with early landowners and municipal developments tied to the Oregon Trail era, the avenue evolved with the expansion of Portland's Chinatown and the growth of the Skidmore Fountain district. Industrial expansion brought warehouses connected to the Northern Pacific Railway and Southern Pacific Transportation Company freight lines, later reconfigured during 20th-century projects like the construction of U.S. Route 30 ramps and the Hayden Island Freeway proposals. Urban renewal initiatives tied to the Alameda and Pearl District transformations influenced zoning changes along the corridor, in processes involving the Portland Development Commission and later Prosper Portland. Social movements, including protests associated with Occupy Portland, demonstrations responding to rulings of the United States Supreme Court and rallies for causes linked to organizations such as AFL–CIO chapters and American Civil Liberties Union affiliates have occurred on or near the avenue.

Transportation and transit

The avenue is integral to surface transit served by agencies like TriMet, with bus routes connecting to MAX Light Rail lines at stations including Pioneer Courthouse Square station and intermodal connections to Portland Streetcar. Freight movements historically used spur tracks tied to BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad corridors, while modern freight access interfaces with the Port of Portland marine terminals and the Rose Quarter logistics network. Pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure connects to networks promoted by Alta Bicycle Share initiatives and advocacy by BikePortland.org stakeholders. Planning documents by TriMet and Oregon Department of Transportation have proposed adjustments coordinating with Portland Bureau of Transportation projects, Federal Transit Administration grant programs, and National Environmental Policy Act assessments for corridor improvements.

Landmarks and points of interest

Notable sites along or adjacent to the avenue include Pioneer Courthouse, Pioneer Courthouse Square, Arlene and Harold Schnitzer landmarks, corporate offices for firms like Nike, Inc. (regional retail), historic cultural sites tied to Lan Su Chinese Garden proximity, and performance venues linked to Portland Center Stage and Keller Auditorium. Financial institutions such as branches of U.S. Bancorp and Wells Fargo occupy buildings nearby, while civic buildings include the Multnomah County Central Courthouse and the Portland City Hall. Retail corridors host establishments from chains like Powell's Books in the Pearl District to eateries frequented by groups connected to James Beard Foundation events. Nearby educational and research centers involve Portland State University satellite programs, and health facilities include clinics affiliated with Oregon Health & Science University outreach.

Urban development and zoning

Zoning along the avenue reflects designations established by the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability and development incentives administered by Prosper Portland, with overlays for Central City and transit-oriented development promoted by Metro. Redevelopment of former industrial parcels inspired mixed-use projects similar to those in the Pearl District involving architects from firms like Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects and developers aligned with Gerding Edlen Development and R.L. Brown Advisors. Policies enacted under mayors such as Vera Katz, Sam Adams, and Ted Wheeler influenced housing strategies related to Affordable housing initiatives and partnerships with nonprofits like Home Forward. Historic preservation reviews referenced by the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office guided adaptive reuse projects for warehouses listed with the National Register of Historic Places.

Public safety and traffic incidents

Incidents on the avenue have involved coordination among Portland Police Bureau, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, Portland Fire & Rescue, and federal agencies including U.S. Department of Homeland Security components during large events. Traffic studies by Oregon Department of Transportation noted congestion patterns similar to corridors intersecting I-5 and US 26, with collision reports filed to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration databases. Public safety debates have referenced policing policies reviewed by bodies like the Portland Police Bureau Internal Affairs and civil oversight from groups connected to the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon.

Cultural references and media appearances

The avenue and its environs have appeared in works by filmmakers and authors associated with Portland, Oregon settings, including productions by Laika (company) adjacent to local film culture, scenes in films that premiered at the Portland International Film Festival, and music videos staged near venues linked to artists featured at MusicPortland showcases. Television series filmed in the region and publications from outlets such as The Oregonian (Portland, Ore.) and Willamette Week have referenced events on or near the avenue, while photographers from institutions like the Portland Art Museum have depicted streetscapes in exhibitions curated with partners like the Oregon Historical Society.

Category:Streets in Portland, Oregon