Working to make Downtown thrive
At Downtown Portland Clean & Safe, we believe in the power of collaboration. By partnering with local businesses, residents, and community groups, we deliver enhanced services and programs that contribute to our city’s thriving spirit.
We’re so excited to welcome Lavoratti 1938 to the neighborhood, and to the United States! Lavoratti offers a delicious variety of upscale chocolate products, many stamped with the Fibonacci symbol representing “perfection.”
Come say hello to Lavoratti, and don’t sleep on their Parmigiano Reggiano truffles! 😉
Photo credit: @portlandbusinessjournal, @lavoratti1938
If you see people wearing green and blue in downtown Portland cleaning sidewalks, removing litter and biohazardous waste like needles, or conducting welfare checks and check-ins at businesses, you are seeing tthe Downtown Portland Clean and Safe team at work. Just last month, they responded to over 1,400 loitering/trespass calls, 290 welfare checks, and 3,380 business assists.
One step at a time, they are playing a major part in downtown’s progress. The next time you see the team at work, feel free to say hello!
Thank you @tvontvnews @katutv for highlighting our team’s work, and to Raynaldo @rachel_and_rose_doubledecker for the meaningful shoutout.
Downtown Portland is getting safer, cleaner, and more welcoming every day, thanks to the hard work of our Clean & Safe team. Here’s what we accomplished in April 2026 across our 273-block Enhanced Service District:
- 2.7 million pedestrian visits
- 4,528 bags of trash removed
- 2,412 graffiti tags cleaned
- 3,292 bio-hazards safely removed
- 828 needles collected
We’re committed to transparency and measurable impact. Monthly data, including foot traffic, helps us track progress and better serve everyone who lives, works, and visits downtown.
Learn more at DowntownPortland.org
Our Sidewalk Ambassadors are ready for summer! After visiting Downtown Portland`s top attractions and connecting with local businesses, our team can’t wait to help visitors discover what makes our city special.
Trained in CPR, First Aid, de-escalation, and tourism, our ambassadors are a great resource for anyone exploring downtown. Find them at Director Park and Darcelle XV Plaza all summer long.
This weekend is your last chance to explore the Bloom Tour! The amazing floral installations throughout downtown will be coming down on June 8.
Visit BloomTourPDX.com for a map of all the locations.
A few downtown favorites we`re excited to share this June. Come explore with us!
Lavoratti 1938, 621 SW Broadway - @lavoratti1938, a chocolate company based in Varazze, Italy, has opened their first chocolate shop in the United States in Downtown Portland!
Thursday Night Ride, June 11 - Portland’s longest-running weekly social bike ride, rolling out from Salmon Street Springs every Thursday night since 2015! An energetic, party-paced social ride with warmth and weirdness.
Portland Timbers Soccer Celebration, June 12-15 -@timbersfc will host a Soccer Celebration event at @thesquarepdx featuring interactive activities, local food carts, merchandise stands, fan giveaways, and live viewings of select FIFA World Cup 26 matches.
Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Race, June 6-7 – Visit Tom McCall Waterfront Park for an exciting Chinese tradition celebrated in PDX for over two decades. More than 60 different teams compete in boats graciously provided by @pksca.db.race.
The Starry Night Wine Walk is just two days away—it’s not too late to secure your spot! This Thursday, spend an evening sampling delicious wine, beer, and spirits; exploring downtown stores and restaurants; and enjoying the Bloom Tour’s stunning floral installations.
Buy tickets at the link in our bio.
Catch the latest from Mark Wells, Executive Director of Downtown Portland Clean & Safe, and stay in the know with Street Beat—our monthly newsletter bringing you the inside scoop on everything happening in Downtown Portland`s Enhanced Services District, from new businesses and community events to safety updates and local spotlights.
Subscribe at DowntownPortland.org
keeping downtown vibrant
We activate public spaces through placemaking initiatives, including managing Director Park with its 300+ annual events, operating a year-round lighting program across 1,400 trees, and producing signature community events that celebrate art, culture, and local businesses while creating welcoming gathering spaces downtown.
keeping downtown clean
We partner with Central City Concern’s Clean Start Program to provide cleaning services seven days a week, including sidewalk sweeping, graffiti removal, litter pickup, and pressure washing.
keeping downtown safe
We provide 24/7 security services across the 273-block district, resolving safety concerns and connecting visitors and residents with resources.
keeping downtown engaged
We support downtown businesses through marketing initiatives, community engagement programs, and collaborative campaigns that promote local retailers, activate storefronts, and connect visitors with the district’s vibrant offerings.
keeping downtown accountable
We conduct research and publish reports on the district’s economic vitality, including vibrancy metrics, business surveys, and pedestrian traffic data, to inform current and prospective businesses about the district.
