Warm days ahead: get a Healthy Business permit this summer
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will once again offer free permits for its Healthy Businesses program this summer as Portland businesses continue to endure economic impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Permits will be active from their issue date through Oct. 31, 2021. The summer 2021 application is now available online and open for all applicants.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, PBOT created the Healthy Business program to allow local businesses to creatively use street space to safely serve their customers. Since the program started in May 2020, PBOT issued more than 1,000 Healthy Businesses permits and 181 pickup/drop-off zones in 2020 free of charge to permittees. Approximately 20% of permits were issued to businesses owned by Black, Indigenous and other people of color.
In September 2020, PBOT launched a public survey as part of its evaluation of the program. The survey’s 3,000 plus respondents overwhelmingly supported the program.
92% of all survey respondents reported visiting a Portland establishment that was doing business this summer in the public right-of-way, such as on the sidewalk or in the street.
78% of respondents felt safe visiting businesses outdoors, given concerns about COVID-19.
94% of survey respondents felt that, as COVID-19 continues to impact businesses, street space should continue to remain open for business use.
Some companies are offering free, discounted, or at-cost support to Healthy Businesses applicants and permit-holders. These are only suggestions and not required for a permit. The City of Portland makes no guarantees as to the quality, workmanship, or ability to deliver.
Miller Paint is providing up to a 30% discount on paint for the purpose of street painting for Healthy Businesses permits. Place orders through any Miller Paint store for this discount. Say you have a Healthy Businesses permit and provide permit information when you place your order.
Portland State University's Center for Public Interest Design (CPID) is helping permit-holders connect with free professional design services and firms to support installing plazas. Partnering firms offering support include Anderson Construction, GBD Architects, Holst, PLACE, SERA Architects, and SRG Partnership. Groups of businesses or districts can contact PBOT staff Greg Raisman at 503-823-1052 or greg.raisman@portlandoregon.gov to be matched with an architect or design firm. Individual businesses owned by people who identify as Black, Indigenous, Asian Pacific Islander, or People of Color may also reach out to Greg for support with permit applications or installation.