About this Location

Facility Overview

The Crossings Building B Parking Garage at 2525 SW 1st Avenue (commonly referred to as the First Ave Building or The Crossing on First) is an essential, multi-level subterranean parking garage serving Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) facilities and surrounding commercial tenants. Situated at the crossroads of SW 1st Avenue and SW Arthur Street in Portland's vibrant South Downtown / Lair Hill district, this covered underground structure provides secure, weather-protected parking beneath the modern office and medical complex. The garage features wide driving aisles, clearly delineated parking bays, and direct elevator access to the main building concourse and landscaped pedestrian courtyard.

In terms of vehicle suitability, the garage comfortably accommodates standard passenger cars, sedans, crossovers, and standard mid-size SUVs. Due to the underground deck structure, vertical height restrictions are in effect (typically cleared for vehicles up to 6 feet 8 inches). Drivers of full-size lifted pickup trucks, high-roof conversion vans, or vehicles equipped with roof racks and cargo boxes should take note of clearance signage at the SW 1st Avenue portal. For high-roof vehicles and van-accessible needs, open-air surface parking is conveniently available immediately adjacent at the Crossings Building A surface lot (2501 SW 1st Ave).

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Strategically positioned at the southern gateway to downtown Portland, this parking facility offers convenient pedestrian and transit connections across several prominent districts:

OHSU Crossings Clinics & State Offices: Direct on-site access to the OHSU Intercultural Psychiatric Program, Adult Psychiatry Clinic, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Avel Gordly Center for Healing, Partnership Project, and the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI).
Portland State University (PSU): Located merely 0.4 miles northwest (an 8- to 10-minute walk), providing an excellent commuter parking hub for faculty, staff, and students heading to the urban campus.
South Waterfront District & Portland Aerial Tram: Less than 0.6 miles to the southeast, connecting drivers directly to the OHSU Center for Health & Healing, Robertson Life Sciences Building, and the tram up to Marquam Hill.
Keller Auditorium: Situated just 0.6 miles north along 1st and 3rd Avenues, making this garage a viable, uncongested parking alternative for evening Broadway shows, ballets, and concerts.
Parks & Waterfront Trails: Minutes on foot from Duniway Park, the historic Lilac Garden, Lair Hill Park, and the scenic pathways of South Waterfront Park along the Willamette River.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Entry and exit to the parking garage are positioned directly along SW 1st Avenue, featuring smooth, well-marked curb cuts and automated ticketing gates. The facility benefits from exceptional vehicular mobility due to its proximity to major transit arteries. Drivers enjoy immediate access to SW Arthur Street, which directly feeds into the Ross Island Bridge (US-26 East) toward Southeast Portland, as well as rapid on-ramps to Interstate 5 (North and South) and Interstate 405 (the Stadium Freeway).

For multi-modal transit riders, TriMet bus lines (notably Stop 143 on SW Arthur) stop steps away from the courtyard entrance. Furthermore, the Portland Streetcar (NS Line) and the MAX Orange Line at SW Moody / South Waterfront are within a 7- to 9-minute walk, providing effortless connections across the central city, Lloyd District, and inner eastside.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Covered Multi-Level Garage: Provides complete protection from Pacific Northwest rain and inclement weather.
ADA Accessible Stalls: Designated accessible parking stalls positioned adjacent to both the east and west passenger elevator lobbies for barrier-free entry.
Automated Entry & Digital Validation: Equipped with automated barrier arms, barcode ticket dispensers, and validation scanners designed for rapid patient and visitor turnaround.
Digital & Mobile Reservations: Commercial parking slots and monthly permits are available via operators like LAZ Parking and ParkChirp.
Safety & Surveillance: Well-illuminated bays, video monitoring, and integrated campus security patrols coordinated by OHSU Public Safety.
Direct Elevator Service: Seamless indoor elevator transit connecting the subterranean garage decks directly to medical clinics, administrative suites, and the ground-level plaza.

Ideal For

Medical Patients & Visitors: Patients attending specialized appointments at OHSU Crossings clinics who qualify for on-site parking validation.
Downtown & PSU Commuters: Professionals and university commuters seeking reliable, predictable daily or monthly parking south of the high-congestion downtown core.
Performing Arts Attendees: Theatergoers visiting Keller Auditorium who prefer a brief walk to avoid heavy post-show garage queues in the immediate theater district.
South Waterfront & Marquam Hill Staff: University staff utilizing park-and-ride options linked via the streetcar, shuttle, or Portland Aerial Tram.

Visitor & Driver Tips

OHSU patients and personal clinic visitors should always bring their parking ticket inside to receive a validation barcode sticker from clinic staff, allowing for free exit validation. Non-patient and commercial parkers should utilize ParkChirp or mobile payment options when available to lock in competitive hourly or daily rates. When planning your arrival during morning peak commute hours (7:30 AM to 9:00 AM), approach from SW Arthur Street or SW Naito Parkway to avoid school-zone and university cross-traffic on upper 4th and 5th Avenues. If driving an oversized truck, high-roof passenger van, or vehicle with rooftop gear, head directly to the adjoining surface lot at 2501 SW 1st Avenue to bypass underground clearance restrictions.