Facility Overview
Parking NW - 19th & Thurman - L172 is a centrally positioned open-air surface parking facility situated at 1805 NW Thurman Street in Portland, Oregon. Situated at the junction where the bustling historic Alphabet District meets the dynamic, redeveloped Slabtown neighborhood, this lot offers convenient off-street parking in one of the city's most visited commercial and residential corridors. The lot features an organized, unobstructed ground-level layout with clear lane striping, ensuring smooth vehicular circulation and straightforward stall access.
Because the lot is open to the sky with no overhead deck structures, ramps, or height restriction bars, it provides exceptional headroom clearance. It easily accommodates everything from compact commuter cars and electric vehicles to full-size pickup trucks, large SUVs, work vans, and vehicles outfitted with roof luggage racks or bicycle mounts. Drivers who frequently find multi-level parking garages cramped or difficult to maneuver will appreciate the generous sightlines and level turning radius available throughout this open surface lot.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Located on NW Thurman Street, this facility serves as an ideal base for exploring the rich mix of retail, dining, cultural, and outdoor attractions that define Northwest Portland:
- NW 23rd & 21st Avenue Shopping Districts: Just 2 to 4 blocks west (a short 5-minute walk), these vibrant avenues—often referred to as Nob Hill—are celebrated for boutique shopping, independent bookstores, artisan roasters, and acclaimed dining spots such as Salt & Straw, Ken's Artisan Bakery, and St. Jack.
- Slabtown Dining & Breweries: Within a 5-minute stroll eastward, explore premier neighborhood destinations including Breakside Brewery Slabtown, Besaw's, and the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium and Museum.
- Forest Park & Lower Macleay Trailhead: Follow Thurman Street west for approximately 10 to 15 minutes on foot or 3 minutes by car to access the gateway to Forest Park, home to the Stone House and miles of scenic hiking trails.
- Providence Park: Located roughly 1 mile south down 18th/19th Avenue, home to MLS Portland Timbers and NWSL Portland Thorns matches. Parking here allows match attendees to enjoy an easy walk or brief streetcar connection while completely avoiding post-match traffic jams near the stadium.
- Wallace Park & The Fields Park: Both community green spaces are within a 10-minute walk, offering open lawns, off-leash dog runs, and recreation areas.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
Accessing the lot is exceptionally smooth from both local neighborhood streets and regional thoroughfares. The facility offers direct ingress and egress along NW Thurman Street and NW 19th Avenue, allowing drivers to enter and exit without circulating through complicated interior ramps. Exiting after busy evening dinner rushes or weekend afternoons is typically swift and stress-free.
For highway commuters, the facility is strategically positioned just blocks from on- and off-ramps for Interstate 405 (the Stadium Freeway / Fremont Bridge) and US Highway 30 (NW Yeon Avenue / St. Helens Road), providing quick routes across the Willamette River toward the Lloyd District, East Portland, and Vancouver, Washington. Visitors continuing via public transit will find TriMet Bus Line 15 operating nearby along Thurman and 23rd Avenue, as well as the Portland Streetcar North-South (NS) Line just a few blocks south on NW Northrup and Lovejoy Streets, connecting riders directly to the Pearl District, Downtown Portland, and Portland State University.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Open-Air Surface Parking: Generous outdoor footprint with no low clearance overhead beams, suitable for high-profile vehicles.
- Digital & Contactless Payment: Seamless pay-by-plate options through mobile parking apps and digital pay stations on site.
- Accessible Stalls: Designated ADA-accessible parking spaces located on level ground for smooth access.
- Illuminated Lot: Overhead night lighting to maintain visibility for patrons returning to their vehicles after dark.
- Central Slabtown/Alphabet District Position: Walkable to dozens of offices, specialty clinics, studios, restaurants, and retail stores.
- Flexible Terms: Accommodates short-term hourly visitors, daily parkers, and recurring monthly commuters.
Ideal For
- Shoppers and Food Lovers: Visitors spending an afternoon browsing local boutiques and enjoying dinner along NW 23rd Avenue or the Slabtown corridor.
- Forest Park Day-Hikers: Outdoor recreationists seeking reliable, secure vehicle parking before hitting the Lower Macleay or Balch Creek trails.
- Soccer & Stadium Eventgoers: Timbers and Thorns supporters traveling to Providence Park who want to skip gridlocked stadium parking decks.
- Neighborhood Employees & Freelancers: Commuters working in local creative agencies, coworking spaces, and retail shops requiring affordable day-long or monthly parking.
- Area Residents & Overnight Guests: Local apartment and condo dwellers in need of extra parking capacity when residential street spots are occupied.
Visitor & Driver Tips
When parking at Lot L172, keep your vehicle's license plate number handy, as digital enforcement relies on pay-by-plate verification. The surrounding Northwest Parking District (Zone M) enforces strict curbside meter rates and time limits, making this dedicated off-street lot a much more relaxed alternative for stays extending past two hours. During Providence Park home matches or sunny weekend afternoons, parking demand across Northwest Portland surges; arriving slightly ahead of peak hours ensures you secure a convenient spot. Lastly, as with parking anywhere in urban Portland, remember to practice common-sense vehicle safety by rolling up windows, locking all doors, and keeping shopping bags, jackets, charging cables, and electronics completely out of plain sight.