About this Location

Facility Overview

Parking Structure 1 (PS1) is a major multi-level parking facility centrally positioned on the Portland State University (PSU) urban campus at 1872 SW Broadway in downtown Portland, Oregon. Designed to accommodate daily university traffic, local commuters, and cultural event attendees, the structure provides extensive covered parking protected from the Pacific Northwest rain, alongside open-air rooftop spaces on its top deck. The garage features well-lit, clearly delineated drive aisles and dedicated pedestrian walkways with elevator and stairwell access to street level. Standard passenger cars, crossovers, minivans, and mid-size SUVs can comfortably navigate the facility; however, full-size pickup trucks and tall commercial vans must observe the posted vehicle height clearance of 6 feet 9 inches. Oversized commercial or high-roof recreational vehicles exceed vertical clearance limits and should seek designated surface parking alternatives nearby.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated in the bustling South Park Blocks district of Downtown Portland, Parking Structure 1 serves as one of the most practical and walkable parking hubs for university activities, theatrical performances, and civic events. Key nearby venues and points of interest include:

Portland State University Campus: Direct access to Smith Memorial Student Union, Lincoln Hall, Shattuck Hall, and the Karl Miller Center, all within a 2 to 5-minute walk.
Keller Auditorium: Located just 4 blocks north (an easy 6-minute stroll), making this garage a preferred and affordable alternative for Broadway shows, Portland Opera, and Oregon Ballet Theatre productions.
Portland Farmers Market at PSU: Held every Saturday morning along the picturesque South Park Blocks, right outside the structure’s doorstep.
Cultural District Attractions: The Portland Art Museum, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, and Oregon Historical Society are situated roughly an 8 to 10-minute walk north along the leafy park blocks.
Tom McCall Waterfront Park: Accessible via a pleasant 10 to 12-minute walk east toward the Willamette River.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Driver ingress and egress are streamlined via entrances along SW Broadway and SW 6th Avenue between SW Hall Street and SW Harrison Street. Because SW Broadway runs one-way northbound and SW 6th Avenue runs one-way southbound, motorists can easily orient their route when arriving or departing. Access to regional freeways is exceptionally fast, with Interstate 405 (Exits 1C and 1D) located only three blocks away, providing swift connections to Highway 26, Interstate 5, and the Ross Island Bridge.

For multi-modal commuters, the location is a premier transit hub. The Portland Streetcar stops adjacent to the structure on SW Broadway (NS Line) and nearby SW Mill Street. Additionally, the MAX Light Rail Green, Orange, and Yellow Lines serve the PSU Urban Center stations on SW 5th and SW 6th Avenues, just two short blocks away.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Multi-deck covered parking with rooftop open-air deck and well-marked standard stalls.
Multiple payment channels including automated on-site pay stations accepting credit/debit cards and pay-by-phone mobile payment.
ADA-accessible parking bays conveniently positioned adjacent to elevator towers and ground-level exits.
Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations located on designated levels for plug-in hybrid and battery-electric vehicles.
Bright overhead LED lighting, security call boxes, emergency intercoms, and routine PSU Campus Public Safety patrols.
Pedestrian elevator service and stairwells connecting all parking tiers to SW Broadway and SW 6th Avenue.

Ideal For

Theater & Arts Attendees: Patrons visiting Keller Auditorium or the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall who want to bypass dense theater-district gridlock after performances.
University Students, Faculty & Visitors: PSU campus visitors, prospective students on tours, conference attendees, and daily academic commuters.
Saturday Farmers Market Shoppers: Shoppers heading to the renowned South Park Blocks Portland Farmers Market.
Downtown Commuters: Professionals working in south downtown Portland or transferring directly onto the MAX Light Rail and Portland Streetcar.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Because SW Broadway and SW 6th Avenue are one-way thoroughfares, program your navigation system directly to 1872 SW Broadway to approach the proper entrance ramp without circling city blocks. During Saturday morning Farmers Market hours and evenings with major sellout shows at Keller Auditorium, spaces on the lower levels fill rapidly; proceed up to levels 3 and above or the open rooftop deck for immediate open stalls. Remember your vehicle license plate number before leaving your car, as on-site digital pay stations and mobile apps operate on a pay-by-plate system.