About this Location

Facility Overview

PCC Cascade Parking Lot 6 is a well-maintained, open-air surface parking facility situated at 5525 N Michigan Avenue in North Portland's vibrant Humboldt and Piedmont neighborhoods. Serving as a key parking hub for Portland Community College’s Cascade Campus, this ground-level parking lot provides direct, hassle-free vehicular access for students, faculty, campus visitors, and neighborhood guests. Because it is a surface-level, open-sky lot without parking structures or overhead decks, it boasts unrestricted vertical clearance. This makes Lot 6 exceptionally suited not only for compact and mid-size passenger cars, but also for large pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, high-top conversion vans, commercial work vehicles, and wheelchair-accessible vans equipped with roof-mounted ramps or lifts.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Lot 6 is strategically nestled in the heart of the historic Albina district, directly on the PCC Cascade Campus grounds. Within a short 2 to 5-minute walk, visitors can access primary academic and administrative facilities, including the Moriarty Arts & Humanities Building, Terrell Hall, the Student Union, Cascade Hall, Jackson Hall, and the Cascade Athletic Gym. Beyond the immediate collegiate setting, the facility serves as an affordable jumping-off point to several of North Portland’s most popular cultural and recreation districts:

N Killingsworth Street Corridor: Located less than two blocks south, this bustling commercial strip offers an eclectic mix of neighborhood coffee houses, bakeries, craft brewpubs, and international dining spots.
Historic Mississippi Avenue District: Approximately a 10-minute walk (0.5 miles) to the west and south brings visitors to Mississippi Avenue, famed for boutique shopping, music hubs like Mississippi Studios, and renowned local eateries.
Peninsula Park & Sunken Rose Garden: Located roughly 0.4 miles north (an easy 8-minute walk), this landmark park features Oregon’s oldest public rose garden, broad walking paths, picnic pavilions, and sports fields.
Alberta Arts District: Positioned about 1 mile east along Killingsworth and Alberta streets, this creative hub is celebrated for street fairs, art galleries, and acclaimed restaurants.
Rose Quarter & Moda Center: A quick 8-minute drive or light rail journey south puts concertgoers and Portland Trail Blazers fans directly at the Moda Center and Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Navigating to and from PCC Cascade Parking Lot 6 is remarkably straightforward. Ingress and egress points connect directly onto North Michigan Avenue between N Killingsworth Street and N Jessup Street, bypassing heavier thoroughfare bottlenecks. The surrounding grid system allows easy entry and smooth dispersal during peak morning class arrivals and evening event departures.

For regional highway access, Interstate 5 (I-5) is only moments away via Exit 303 (Killingsworth St / Swan Island) or Exit 304 (Rosa Parks Way), offering rapid connections to Downtown Portland, Vancouver, WA, and the greater Portland metro area. Public transit options are equally robust:

TriMet MAX Light Rail: The N Killingsworth Street Station on the MAX Yellow Line is situated just four blocks west (a 6-to-8-minute walk), providing express train transit south to the Rose Quarter and downtown, or north to the Expo Center.
TriMet Bus Service: Frequent-service bus routes, notably Line 72 (82nd / Killingsworth) and Line 4 (Fessenden), stop along adjacent streets, ensuring rapid regional transfers.
PCC Intercampus Shuttle: Active students and staff can catch the dedicated PCC Shuttle stop on campus for direct transit between PCC Cascade, Sylvania, Southeast, and Rock Creek facilities.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Parking: Generous driving lanes and clearly painted parking bays facilitate simple maneuvering and parking for vehicles of all profiles.
Zero Height Restrictions: Headroom is completely open to the sky, ideal for utility racks, elevated roof boxes, and lifted trucks.
On-Site Automated Pay Kiosks: Self-service parking kiosks accept major debit and credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) as well as exact cash and coin payments.
ADA Accessible Stalls: Designated accessible parking spaces with adjoining access aisles are located conveniently close to campus walkways and curb cuts.
Campus Safety & Lighting: Equipped with nighttime perimeter illumination and monitored via routine patrols by PCC Public Safety officers; campus blue-light emergency intercoms are located nearby.

Ideal For

PCC Students, Faculty & Staff: Convenient parking adjacent to northern campus classrooms, lecture halls, and academic offices.
Event & Performance Attendees: Perfect for visitors attending campus lectures, visual art exhibits at Moriarty Arts Center, and sporting events at Cascade Gym.
Neighborhood Diners & Shoppers: Affordable off-street parking for visitors patronizing nearby businesses along the N Killingsworth and N Mississippi corridors.
Park Visitors & Community Members: Convenient base for recreation at Peninsula Park and neighborhood community center programs.

Visitor & Driver Tips

When planning to park at PCC Cascade Lot 6, keep the following practical tips in mind:

Permit Enforcement Window: Parking regulations and permit requirements are strictly enforced Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM during academic terms. Be sure to purchase and clearly display your ticket from the on-site kiosk, or hold a verified term permit.
Payment Methods: Kiosks accept credit/debit cards, cash, and coin, but do not give change, nor do they support tap-to-pay phone wallets; carry a card or exact change.
Peak Arrival Hours: Parking demand typically peaks Tuesday through Thursday between 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Arrive 15 minutes before scheduled appointments or lectures to secure an optimal spot.
Neighborhood Residential Rules: Avoid parking on surrounding residential side streets without permits, as neighborhood zones are actively monitored. Using Lot 6 guarantees a worry-free, fully authorized parking spot.