PBOT has informed the Foster-Powell Neighborhood Association that the Firland/Schiller Street Plaza pilot will end slightly earlier than originally scheduled. The plaza will be removed and two-way traffic on SE Schiller Street will be restored on September 8, 2026, the day after Labor Day.

The decision was made by PBOT following its ongoing traffic-engineering evaluation of the pilot. Throughout the pilot period, PBOT has been monitoring the area to evaluate impacts including traffic circulation, pedestrian safety, and community use. PBOT has told us that the September 8 removal date reflects both that monitoring and the anticipated increase in traffic as school resumes and fall travel patterns begin. As the agency responsible for the public right-of-way and the plaza pilot program, the decision about when to conclude the pilot rests with PBOT.

We recognize that neighbors have had very different experiences with the plaza. Some have raised significant concerns about traffic circulation and the impacts of the closure, while many others have told us they valued the new public space, community events, piano, and opportunities to gather with neighbors. We appreciate everyone who took the time to participate, use the space, attend events, ask questions, or provide feedback during the pilot.

The removal of the current plaza does not necessarily end the conversation about this intersection or about opportunities for community space in the Firland Parkway. PBOT has invited FPNA to submit ideas for possible next steps, and we will seek meaningful community input as part of that process. Watch this space for more information about when, where, and how you can provide input.

For now, we want our neighbors to have clear information about what is happening: the plaza will remain in place through Labor Day and will be removed September 8, when two-way vehicle traffic on SE Schiller Street will resume.