The Plaza on Hawthorne, a pedestrian plaza in Southeast Portland, is celebrating its grand opening on Sunday, June 22. (Submitted by Hawthorne Boulevard Business Association)

Just in time for the official start to summer, the Plaza on Hawthorne is celebrating its grand opening on Sunday, June 22.

This new pedestrian plaza takes over a section of Southeast 37th Avenue, between Hawthorne Boulevard and Madison Street, and had its soft opening during unofficial summer on May 22.

The grand opening is from 3-5 p.m. and will feature a ceremonial ribbon cutting, a plaza naming announcement, light refreshments, music from Thunder Ridge and more. Portland City Councilor Angelita Morillo will be attending and giving a brief speech.

Local tattoo artist and gallery coordinator Kami Gould created the large-scale street mural, a highlight of the plaza. Titled “In Bloom,” Gould’s design features flowers and foliage, celebrating the “evolving spirit” of the Hawthorne community, according to a news release.

About the project

The plaza is a project of the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association, the Hawthorne Boulevard Business Association, PDX Main Streets and the Portland Bureau of Transportation. PBOT supports about 20 public street plazas in town.

The project is funded by a $46,000 grant from Venture Portland to the Hawthorne Boulevard Business Association.

This location was selected as a pilot in August 2024 because it has the “right ingredients for success” including active restaurants, frequent pedestrian and bike traffic and adjacency to a bus line, according to the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association.

The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association shared earlier on the plaza’s offerings of large planters, open seating, outdoor furnishings and more, making the space accessible and a place for community gathering.

Backed by the Hawthorne Boulevard Business Association, the initiative aims to encourage foot traffic, support local businesses and enhance an iconic Portland corridor.

Nearby businesses include Buffalo Exchange, Gold Door, Straight From New York Pizza, Tov Coffee and No Name Pho. The McMenamins Bagdad Theater & Pub is across the street and Powell’s Books is just one block over.