About this Location

Facility Overview

The Portland State University Fourth Ave Garage (often affiliated with PSU Parking Structure 3 and the Fourth Avenue Building) is a covered, multi-level university parking facility located at 1900 SW 4th Avenue in the South Downtown / University District of Portland, Oregon. Designed to serve university students, faculty, campus visitors, and downtown commuters alike, this garage offers shielded, weather-protected parking right at the southern gateway of the central city. The structure is built to accommodate standard passenger vehicles, compact sedans, crossovers, and standard-sized SUVs. Due to typical multi-story height limitations (with overhead clearances posted around 6 feet 6 inches), drivers of lifted trucks, oversized commercial vans, and high-roof utility vehicles should seek surface parking alternatives in the area.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated in a bustling urban and educational corridor, the Fourth Ave Garage provides convenient access to a wide array of downtown Portland landmarks:

Portland State University Campus: Direct access to the PSU Urban Center, Fariborz Maseeh Hall, Science Research and Teaching Center (SRTC), and the scenic South Park Blocks, all within a 2 to 5-minute walk.
Keller Auditorium: Located just 4 blocks north (approx. a 5-minute walk), making it a top-tier parking choice for Broadway shows, Oregon Ballet Theatre, and Portland Opera performances.
Tom McCall Waterfront Park: Less than a 7-minute walk east, offering riverfront trails, event festivals, and scenic views of the Willamette River.
Portland Cultural District: The Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland Art Museum, and Antoinette Hatfield Hall are a leisurely 10 to 12-minute walk or a brief ride on the Portland Streetcar.
Local Dining & Food Carts: Within steps of numerous cafes, restaurants, and the celebrated PSU food cart pod on SW 4th and College.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress are straightforward from SW 4th Avenue, which is a one-way southbound arterial, and cross streets such as SW Hall and SW Harrison. The location offers exceptional freeway connectivity, situated moments from the junctions of Interstate 405, Highway 26, and SW Naito Parkway, allowing drivers to bypass much of the core downtown grid congestion when arriving or departing. For multimodal commuters, the garage is virtually adjacent to major TriMet transit lines: the MAX Light Rail (Green, Yellow, and Orange lines) stops nearby at PSU Urban Center, and the Portland Streetcar runs right by the campus along SW 4th and 5th Avenues.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Covered Multi-Level Parking: Complete protection from Pacific Northwest rain and harsh weather conditions.
Payment Versatility: On-site automated pay kiosks accepting credit/debit cards, alongside mobile app payment options (such as ParkMobile).
ADA Accessibility: Designated ADA accessible parking stalls conveniently located near ground access points and elevator banks.
Campus Safety Patrols: Monitored periodically by Portland State University Campus Public Safety with security cameras and emergency call stations.
Transit Intermodal Hub: Direct stepping-stone to regional rail, streetcar lines, and TriMet bus routes.

Ideal For

Theater & Arts Patrons: An affordable and accessible walking-distance option for evening shows at the nearby Keller Auditorium.
PSU Students, Staff & Visitors: Immediate proximity to university lecture halls, administrative offices, and campus events.
Downtown Commuters: Fast access to I-405 without fighting internal downtown gridlock at end-of-day rush hours.
Waterfront Festivalgoers: Great spot to leave your car when attending summer festivals and runs at Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

Visitor & Driver Tips

For theater performances at Keller Auditorium, arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes prior to curtain call to secure lower-level parking and avoid queue delays at payment stations. Always confirm your stall number and display your receipt or pay via mobile app before walking away from your car. Keep your vehicle secure by adopting standard city parking precautions: hide or remove all charging cables, bags, coats, and valuables from plain view before locking up.