About this Location

Facility Overview

The OHSU Whitaker Parking Lot is an essential, easily accessible open-air surface parking facility situated at 749 SW Whitaker St. in Portland's modern South Waterfront district. Positioned directly within Oregon Health & Science University's (OHSU) South Waterfront medical and academic hub, this lot provides expansive ground-level parking that stands out from the surrounding multi-level underground parking decks. Designed to facilitate smooth circulation and hassle-free maneuvering, the open lot is staffed with valet assistance from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM on weekdays to optimize vehicle flow and ease arrival for patients and visitors alike.

Because the Whitaker Lot is a wide-open surface facility, it has no vertical clearance restrictions or low overhead ceiling beams. As a result, OHSU officially designates this facility as the primary oversize vehicle parking lot for the entire South Waterfront campus. It is exceptionally well-suited for high-profile vehicles that cannot fit into standard garages, including lifted four-wheel-drive trucks, full-size SUVs (such as Chevrolet Suburbans and Ford Expeditions), commercial high-roof cargo and passenger vans (like Ford Transits and Mercedes-Benz Sprinters), wheelchair-accessible conversion vans, and vehicles with rooftop carriers or bikes.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Located on the bustling South Waterfront along the Willamette River, the Whitaker Parking Lot places drivers within immediate walking distance of top medical, scientific, and recreational facilities:

OHSU Medical Complexes: Just a 1- to 3-minute walk to the Center for Health & Healing (Buildings 1 and 2), the Knight Cancer Research Building, and the Rood Family Pavilion.
Portland Aerial Tram: Approximately one block away (a 2-minute walk). Boarding the tram carries passengers 500 feet up to the OHSU Marquam Hill Campus, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, and OHSU Hospital within a scenic 3-minute ride offering sweeping vistas of Mount Hood and downtown Portland.
South Waterfront Greenway & Riverfront Trail: Just two blocks east, providing scenic paved trails along the Willamette River for walking, jogging, and river watching.
Tilikum Crossing (Bridge of the People): Roughly a 7- to 10-minute walk north, connecting pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders directly across the river to Portland's vibrant Central Eastside district and OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry).
Neighborhood Dining & Cafes: Short strolls to local eateries including Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen, Cha Cha Cha Mexican Taqueria, daily artisan bakeries, and waterfront coffee houses.
Portland State University (PSU) & Downtown Arts District: Located just under 1.5 miles northwest, accessible within minutes via direct streetcar transit for events at Keller Auditorium and the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress are straightforward via SW Whitaker Street between S Moody Avenue and S River Parkway/S Bond Avenue. Positioned right near SW Macadam Avenue (OR-43) and SW Kelly Avenue, the facility offers immediate connections to Interstate 5 (I-5), Interstate 405 (I-405), and US-26. This peripheral downtown positioning allows motorists to bypass congested city-center street grids when arriving from southern suburbs like Lake Oswego and Tigard, as well as from the east side bridges.

Transit connectivity around the Whitaker Lot is among the finest in the Pacific Northwest. Within steps of the lot on SW Moody Avenue, visitors can board the Portland Streetcar (NS Line and Central Loop lines) for direct, low-stress connections to Portland State University, the Pearl District, and Downtown Portland. TriMet MAX Orange Line light rail service is accessible at the nearby South Waterfront/SW Moody station, and TriMet bus lines run along Macadam Avenue, providing comprehensive regional transit options.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Parking: Generous surface bays and wide drive lanes eliminating clearance limitations and height anxieties.
Designated Oversize Vehicle Capacity: The recognized campus location for accommodating high-roof vans, tall trucks, and patient conversion vehicles.
Valet-Assisted Operations: Valet attendants on duty weekdays from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM to assist drivers with parking and traffic organization.
Designated Accessible & ADA Spaces: Strategically situated ADA stalls with paved, level pathways directly leading to surrounding clinical centers and the tram terminal.
Dedicated Motorcycle Stalls: Designated bays reserved specifically for two-wheeled motorized vehicles.
Digital Payment & Permit Integration: Supports OHSU MyCommute reservations, daily passes through HONK Mobile, and on-site pay-by-plate payment stations.
Security & Lighting: Equipped with nighttime pole-mounted area lighting and regular proactive patrols by the OHSU Department of Public Safety.

Ideal For

Oversize & Tall Vehicle Drivers: Pickup truck, camper van, and high-clearance SUV owners needing safe parking without height barriers.
OHSU Patients & Clinic Visitors: Those attending appointments at the Center for Health & Healing or transferring to Marquam Hill via the Portland Aerial Tram.
Campus Employees & University Affiliates: Commuters and staff arriving for shifts and utilizing pre-arranged daily or monthly commuter permits.
South Waterfront Evening Visitors: Diners, waterfront walkers, and guests visiting local residents who wish to take advantage of complimentary off-peak evening and weekend hours.

Visitor & Driver Tips

To ensure a smooth parking experience, keep these practical tips in mind:

Understand Enforcement Hours: OHSU permits or paid parking validations are strictly required on weekdays between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Parking is generally free on weeknights after 5:00 PM and throughout the entire weekend (Saturday and Sunday), making it a well-kept secret for weekend riverfront visitors.
Clinic Validation for Patients: If you are visiting an OHSU clinic or receiving medical treatment, bring your license plate number or check in with clinic reception desks for complimentary patient parking coverage.
Consult the Attendant for Oversized Stalls: If you are driving an extra-long pickup truck, conversion van, or recreational vehicle, speak directly with the on-duty valet attendant upon arrival so they can steer you toward the most spacious stalls.
Marquam Hill Connection: If your appointment or business is located up on the Marquam Hill campus, park here and walk one block to the Portland Aerial Tram; patients and validated guests can obtain tram passes for a fast, traffic-free ascent up the hill.
GPS Navigation: Set your navigation unit specifically to 749 SW Whitaker St, Portland, OR, and enter directly from SW Whitaker between Moody and Bond.