MLK Boulevard
Neighborhood Description: Running south/north through Northeast and into north Portland is MLK Boulevard, which has undergone extensive renovation in recent years and has several mixed-use projects in development. The Oregon Convention Center anchors the south end of the neighborhood and attracts over 650,000 visitors annually. MLK Boulevard, a major north to south arterial route for Portland, has a dense daytime population with numerous office towers within the district and many large employers including Kaiser Permanente, PacifiCorp and Metro regional offices.
Many MLK and Grand Avenue businesses have taken advantage of Portland Development Commission’s storefront program and recent streetscape improvements have helped encouraged pedestrian traffic. MLK Boulevard lies in the Oregon Convention center Urban Renewal Area.
MLK encompasses a large area and the City of Portland, Portland Development Commission and developers are working hard to better define a core for the area’s retail.
For more information:
Portland Development Commission
Area Retailers: Nike Factory Store, Adidas Retail Outlet, Anna Mae’s BBQ, Billy Reed’s Restaurant & Bar, Bridges, Echo, Tiny’s Coffee, among others.
Rental Rates: +/- $8.00 - $25.00 / SF (rental rate wing reflects the new developments south of NE Fremont.)
Vehicular Counts: 22,511 CPD: NE Multnomah and MLK Boulevard (2000).
Transportation: MLK runs south from North Portland and connects to 99-E (McLoughlin Boulevard). Grand runs north, parallel to MLK, serving as a primary traffic corridor for northbound traffic coming from Milwaukie, Oregon City, and other southeast neighborhoods. Hawthorne, Morrison and Burnside Bridge ramps are accessible off of MLK and Grand Avenues, contributing to the freight mobility connections. Vehicular traffic at 35 MPH discourages heavy pedestrian traffic in many areas along Grand and MLK, allowing more office, service, food and commercial uses on the ground floor spaces. Tri-Met bus serves this neighborhood.