Alder Street Food Cart Pod to close on June 30

Published 12:00 am Friday, May 31, 2019

The carts nestled between Southwest Alder and Washington streets in downtown Portland received notices from City Center Parking on Thursday, May 30, stating that they must leave the area by June 30.

The company owns the property. The notices explained that lot #67 located at 950 Southwest Washington Street will close to all food carts and monthly parking.

“Unfortunately, we will no longer be able to accommodate you in our system after 6/30/2019. No further action is required on your part except to make sure your account is paid in full through June. At the moment, we do not have any available spaces to refer you to,” the company said.

In a letter obtained from the owner of the Japanese food cart Sumo Sushi, Account Manager Brandon Redfield of City Center Parking says that lot #63 is closing to all food carts and parking at the end of the month, under threat of towing.

Redfield said CCP was unable to refer the 55 carts to a new spot, adding that Sumo Sushi should settle its account and prepare to move. Similar letters went to several food carts Thursday.

Lot #67 — also known as Block 217 — is set to be the site of a 35-story tower, a mixture of retail, office, fiver star hotel and luxury condos. The block is bounded by Southwest Ninth and 10th avenues and Washington and Alder streets and is a major attraction for tourists and downtown workers.

Design consultant and author Randy Gragg, food writer Brett Burmeister and food cart owner-operator Daniel Huerta hatched the plan called the Culinary Corridor, in which they are trying to interest the City Council. The plan is to move some of the food carts to Southwest Ninth Avenue was currently, but Gragg said Friday it is on hold.

Of the one-month deadline he said, “It’s a disappointment but not a surprise. This is an inflexion point for Portland. Do we want to be a distinct city or a generic city? This is one of those moments where that question will be answered.”

The land is owned by the Goodman Family’s Downtown Development Group. It is leased by City Center Parking, which subleases spots to food carts and automobile parking. The developer BPM Real Estate Group came up with the multi-use tower plan, and worked with GBD Architects. They are seeking a permit now for shoring and excavation, which could begin this summer. Properties that the Goodman family and their affiliates have interest in include the Power & Light Building, Crown Plaza, the Union Bank of California building, the Pioneer Park Building and Twelve West, a mixed-use development.

With additional reporting by Joseph Gallivan