About this Location

Facility Overview

PSU Parking Structure Three (PS3) is a modern multi-level parking garage strategically located on the western edge of the Portland State University campus at 1631 SW 12th Avenue in Downtown Portland. Serving students, university faculty, campus guests, and downtown commuters, this covered structure offers an extensive array of well-lit, clearly striped spaces across several interior tiers. The garage provides excellent all-weather protection against Pacific Northwest rain and features a standard vertical clearance height of approximately 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 meters). This vertical clearance comfortably accommodates standard compacts, sedans, crossovers, and stock full-size SUVs, though drivers of lifted pickup trucks, commercial transit vans, or vehicles with elevated roof racks should exercise caution or opt for exterior surface parking elsewhere on campus.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated in the heart of Portland\'s University District and directly adjacent to the Downtown Cultural District, Parking Structure Three puts you within minutes of numerous educational, cultural, and entertainment hubs:

Portland State University Campus: Direct foot access to university buildings, including Cramer Hall, Smith Memorial Student Union, Millar Library, and the Viking Pavilion at the Peter W. Stott Center (within a 3 to 7-minute walk).
Cultural & Arts Venues: Located just a brief 8 to 12-minute walk from the historic Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, the Portland Art Museum, and the Oregon Historical Society along the South Park Blocks.
Live Performance Theaters: Keller Auditorium is approximately an 8-minute walk to the east, making PS3 a reliable, congestion-free option for Broadway shows, ballets, and concerts.
Parks & Green Spaces: Immediate access to the South Park Blocks, home to towering elms, public art, and the popular weekend Portland Farmers Market.
Dining & Nightlife: Plentiful casual cafes, food carts along SW 4th and 5th Avenues, and upscale downtown dining are all within comfortable walking distance.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

PS3 offers exceptionally straightforward vehicular access thanks to its positioning on SW 12th Avenue. Drivers approaching from Interstate 405 can exit seamlessly via the SW 12th Avenue or Montgomery Street exits, allowing you to bypass heavily congested core downtown surface streets. Departing the facility provides swift reconnectivity to I-405, Highway 26, and the Ross Island Bridge via SW Market Street and 12th Avenue. For multi-modal commuters, the garage is exceptionally well-connected to public transit: the Portland Streetcar stops just two blocks away on SW 10th and 11th Avenues, while the TriMet MAX Light Rail (Green, Orange, and Yellow Lines) and extensive regional bus lines operate on the nearby 5th and 6th Avenue transit mall within a short 5-minute stroll.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Covered, Multi-Level Parking: Complete overhead protection from rain and inclement weather across multiple covered decks.
Accessible ADA Parking: Dedicated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) spaces located adjacent to passenger elevators and primary ground-floor exits.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging: Level 2 EV charging stations available on designated levels for plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicles.
Modern Payment Flexibility: Multiple on-site automated pay kiosks supporting credit, debit, and mobile tap-to-pay, along with mobile app checkout via ParkMobile.
Safety & Monitoring: Equipped with overhead LED lighting, CCTV surveillance cameras, emergency call boxes, and routine patrols by Campus Public Safety officers.
Pedestrian Convenience: Operational elevators and stair towers for swift access to street-level sidewalks.

Ideal For

University Commuters: PSU students, faculty, adjunct staff, and guest lecturers requiring seamless, reliable on-campus parking.
Arts & Concertgoers: Visitors attending events at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Keller Auditorium, or Viking Pavilion looking to avoid core downtown gridlock.
Market & Park Visitors: Shoppers heading to the renowned PSU Portland Farmers Market held on Saturdays throughout the South Park Blocks.
Downtown Professionals: Daily business travelers and office commuters seeking affordable, covered parking with quick freeway on-ramps.

Visitor & Driver Tips

During peak campus hours (typically Tuesday through Thursday mid-mornings), spaces fill quickly; arriving before 9:00 AM or planning to park on the upper levels will save significant time. Make sure to note your license plate number before walking away, as payment kiosks and the ParkMobile app operate on a Pay-by-Plate system. If attending major evening performances at Keller Auditorium or the Schnitz, allow an extra 10 minutes when returning to your vehicle to navigate minor post-event queuing onto SW 12th Avenue.