In this month’s Urban Design Panel we will hear about the Portland Street Plaza Program from staff from Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and Mayer/Reed design firm. 

The Public Street Plaza Program, spearheaded by PBOT, aims to convert specific city streets into vibrant public spaces that reflect and serve the community. Originating from the street closures prompted by COVID-19 indoor dining restrictions, this pilot program is now on the path to becoming a permanent fixture in the city.  Representatives from PBOT and Mayer/Reed will outline the vision for these spaces as well as share insights into the program's development, including the design and operational challenges and opportunities they're currently navigating.

Speakers

Sarah Figliozzi leads the Public Realm and Street Activation planning team at the City of Portland’s Bureau of Transportation. Her expertise spans various transportation policy and street design endeavors, with a particular focus on creating programs and processes to encourage innovative community uses within our transportation infrastructure. She earned her master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design, and Planning.

Shannon Simms, ASLA, is an associate principal at Mayer/Reed, where she co-leads the urban design and landscape architecture practice.  She has significant local experience in transforming underutilized sites into vibrant places for people, with a particular focus on the placemaking potential of the right-of-way on a wide variety of transportation projects. She has served on the Executive Committee of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Oregon Chapter and has taught urban design and landscape architecture at University of Oregon. She has a master’s degree in landscape architecture from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design.