Facility Overview
Situated at the intersection of Northwest 5th Avenue and Northwest Glisan Street, NW 5th & Glisan - Lot #187 (510 NW Glisan St) is a conveniently located open-air surface parking lot managed by Parking NW and City Center Parking. The facility rests on the vibrant cusp between historic Old Town-Chinatown and the trendy Pearl District in downtown Portland. Designed for easy drive-in and drive-out access, the lot features clearly demarcated ground stalls, level asphalt paving, and straightforward aisle circulation.
A major advantage of this open-air surface lot is the total absence of low ceiling beams or overhead garage height restrictions. Standard sedans, full-size pickup trucks (such as Ford F-150s and Ram 1500s), large SUVs, tall crossover utility vehicles, rooftop cargo carriers, bike racks, and high-roof work vans can all park comfortably without clearance concerns. Drivers simply need to ensure their vehicle length and width fit safely within standard marked parking boundaries.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Lot #187 serves as an ideal basecamp for regional travelers, concertgoers, commuters, and tourists exploring Portland's central cultural hubs. Key local destinations within easy walking distance include:
- Portland Union Station: Located less than a 3-minute stroll (0.1 miles north), making this lot one of the most practical parking choices for Amtrak rail passengers and long-distance commuters.
- Lan Su Chinese Garden: A serene, full-block classical Suzhou-style garden just a 5-minute walk (0.3 miles southeast).
- Entertainment & Live Music: Legendary downtown venues including the Roseland Theater, Star Theater, and Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade are all within a 5-to-8-minute walk.
- The Pearl District: Stroll a few blocks west into the heart of Portland's premiere shopping, gallery, and dining neighborhood, home to Powell's City of Books, boutique fashion retailers, and celebrated craft breweries.
- Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park & Portland Saturday Market: Located roughly 0.5 miles east along the scenic Willamette River pathway.
- Moda Center & Rose Quarter: Easily reached just across the Willamette River via the Broadway Bridge or Steel Bridge, either on foot (15–20 minutes) or via a quick ride on the MAX light rail.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
Drivers can access the parking lot via Northwest Glisan Street and Northwest 5th Avenue. The surrounding one-way grid system allows swift circulation toward regional thoroughfares. Heading east on Glisan or Broadway leads directly across the river toward Interstate 5 (I-5) and Interstate 84 (I-84), while Interstate 405 (I-405) can be reached within minutes via Northwest Everett or Couch Street.
For multi-modal transit users, the lot is directly embedded in Portland's extensive transit network. The MAX Light Rail lines (Green and Yellow Lines) run along the 5th and 6th Avenue Transit Mall immediately adjacent to the lot, providing rapid connections across the greater Portland metropolitan area.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- 24/7 Access: Continuous around-the-clock availability for early bird commuters, daytime visitors, and late-night venue patrons.
- Open-Air Headroom: Zero vertical clearance limits, making it suitable for tall passenger vans, trucks, and roof-racked vehicles.
- Contactless Mobile Payments: Quick drive-in payment facilitated through on-site pay signage and mobile services like ParkChirp and ParkMobile.
- Unobstructed Surface Parking: Independent self-parking spaces with no tandem vehicle blocking or mandatory valet assistance.
- Designated Accessible Spaces: ADA compliant stalls located near primary entry points for ease of mobility.
- Night Illumination: Lot perimeter and interior lighting to assist night arrivals and departures.
Ideal For
- Amtrak & Rail Travelers: Anyone catching an early morning train or meeting arriving guests at historic Portland Union Station.
- Nightlife & Concert Fans: Visitors attending events at the Roseland Theater, Star Theater, or nearby Chinatown bars and clubs.
- Pearl District Diners & Shoppers: Patrons visiting local restaurants, art galleries, and shops who prefer surface parking over multi-level garages.
- Moda Center Game-Day Fans: Eventgoers looking to park west of the river to beat post-game freeway gridlock after Trail Blazers games or arena concerts.
- Downtown Commuters: Professionals seeking flexible daily or monthly parking near transit and central business offices.
Visitor & Driver Tips
When heading to Lot #187, approach via NW Glisan Street or NW 5th Avenue and watch for posted lot signage displaying Lot #187. During major events at nearby venues or high-volume Amtrak travel windows, spaces can fill quickly; paying immediately upon parking via the designated mobile application ensures your stay is registered without risk of citation. As standard best practice across downtown Portland, remember to stow all luggage, backpacks, charging cables, and personal valuables entirely out of sight before heading to your destination.