Darcelle XV Plaza makes its debut downtown
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She's getting ready for her big reveal. Photo: Courtesy of Portland Parks & Recreation
Darcelle XV Plaza opens to the public Thursday, bringing new life to a downtown block that has been closed off for years.
Why it matters: The new $9.2 million park is part of the city's push to revitalize downtown.
- It replaces O'Bryant Square, which once was known as Portland's "dining room" but fell into disrepair and closed in 2018.
- The new name honors Walter Cole, the trail-blazing drag performer and local LGBTQ+ icon known as Darcelle XV.
Driving the news: Portland Parks & Recreation will host a ribbon-cutting celebration from 11am to 1pm at the plaza, located across the street from the Ritz-Carlton.
- The half-acre block now features a performance stage, event space, benches and lunch tables, a small dog run and sun shade structure.
- Historic cast-iron columns and gates salvaged from the historic Smith and Watson Building were also incorporated into the design.
The plaza will be fully fenced and operated by Downtown Portland Clean & Safe, which will open and close the park each day.
- City officials previously said the fence would allow the park to be secured overnight, preventing public drug use and other issues that plagued O'Bryant Square before it closed.
Catch up quick: Built on land that once was Portland's first park, O'Bryant Square — named after the city's first mayor, Hugh O'Bryant — opened in 1973 with the condition that it include underground parking.
- Due to the park's proximity to downtown office buildings and food cart pods, it became a popular lunchtime people-watching destination.
- Yes, but: Over the decades, leaks and structural problems in the underground garage contributed to the square's decline, while open drug use and public safety concerns earned it the nickname "Paranoid Park."
Follow the money: About $7 million came from system development charges — fees collected from new construction — while $2.2 million came from the city's general fund for downtown activation.
If you go: A grand opening celebration is set for 5-10pm June 25, featuring host Poison Waters, drag performances from entertainers "connected to Darcelle's legacy," food and drink vendors, as well as a dedicated glam station.
- Downtown Clean & Safe plans to host regular programming at the plaza throughout the summer, including fitness classes, movie nights, live music and more.