About this Location

Facility Overview

SW 6th and Columbia - Lot #40 is a conveniently located, open-air surface parking facility situated at 626 SW Columbia Street in the heart of Downtown Portland, Oregon. Occupying a prominent corner position at the intersection of SW 6th Avenue and SW Columbia Street, this lot provides quick, level-grade parking with straightforward drive-in access. Because this is an open surface lot without a parking garage structure, there are no vertical height restrictions or clearance limits. This makes it an outstanding choice not only for standard sedans, compacts, and crossovers, but also for full-size pickup trucks, tall cargo vans, high-profile SUVs, and vehicles equipped with roof racks, bike carriers, or cargo boxes that would otherwise exceed typical garage ceilings.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned along the southern edge of Portland’s core commercial and cultural district, Lot #40 puts drivers within walking distance of many of the city’s top arts venues, civic offices, and academic institutions:

Keller Auditorium: Located just three blocks away (a quick 4-minute walk), making this lot one of the most convenient parking choices for Broadway across America tours, Portland Opera, and Oregon Ballet Theatre performances.
Portland State University (PSU): Just two blocks south (a 3 to 5-minute walk) to the northern edge of the PSU urban campus, the Urban Center Plaza, and the weekly PSU Farmers Market.
South Park Blocks: A scenic 2-block stroll to Portland’s historic tree-lined cultural spine, home to the Portland Art Museum and the Oregon Historical Society.
Tom McCall Waterfront Park: Roughly five blocks east down Columbia Street to the Willamette riverfront, host to major festivals, marathon courses, and the Portland Rose Festival.
Portland City Hall & Multnomah County Central Courthouse: Situated 3 to 5 blocks north, ideal for city and county business visitors, legal professionals, and jurors.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress are straightforward from SW Columbia Street, an east-west arterial corridor that connects easily to downtown thoroughfares. Drivers traveling from Interstate 405 (I-405) or US Highway 26 (Sunset Highway) will appreciate direct routing off the highway ramps onto downtown streets, avoiding gridlock deeper in the commercial core. Exiting after events at Keller Auditorium or PSU is efficient due to rapid access back onto SW 6th Avenue and the freeway connectors. For seamless multimodal connections, the lot sits immediately adjacent to the TriMet Portland Transit Mall along SW 5th and 6th Avenues, offering immediate access to MAX Light Rail (Green and Yellow lines) and dozens of local bus lines.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Headroom: Zero height restriction allows safe and stress-free parking for tall trucks, vans, and commercial vehicles.
Contactless Mobile Payments: Pay quickly using modern parking apps (such as Reef Mobile, ParkMobile, or PayByPhone) or via on-site automated pay kiosks.
Well-Lit Surface Lot: Outfitted with overhead flood lighting for enhanced visibility and pedestrian comfort during evening events.
Accessible Parking: Designated ADA-compliant parking spaces positioned close to street sidewalks for smooth wheelchair and stroller accessibility.
24/7 Self-Parking: Open around the clock, accommodating early-morning commuters, late-night dining, and weekend visitors.

Ideal For

Theater & Arts Patrons: Audiences attending evening musicals, ballets, and concerts at the historic Keller Auditorium.
PSU Students & Faculty: Commuters seeking short-term or daily parking near PSU academic buildings and libraries.
Downtown Office Workers & Jurors: Reliable daily parking within easy walking distance of the central legal and government districts.
Drivers of Tall & Oversized Vehicles: Contractors, trade professionals, and road-trippers unable to enter standard underground or covered garages.

Visitor & Driver Tips

During sold-out evening performances at Keller Auditorium or major PSU campus events, this lot fills up rapidly; plan to arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes before curtain time to secure a spot. Remember your license plate number before walking up to the pay kiosk, as most downtown surface pay machines require \'pay-by-plate\' input. Alternatively, downloading the mobile payment app ahead of arrival allows you to extend parking sessions directly from your seat inside the theater without having to run back out to the lot.