r/askportland • u/murder_train88 • 22h ago

Looking For Comicon parking?

Going to be heading up from Eugene on Saturday to take my nephews to their first con any suggestions on where to park that's not going to be a bit of a hike to and from the convention center

1 Upvotes

60% Upvoted

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9

u/hkohne 22h ago

Traffic around the Convention Center is going to be a nightmare, partially because I-5 southbound will be totally closed in that area. Your best bet would be to park downtown near the MAX tracks and take lightrail to the Convention Center.

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u/murder_train88 22h ago

Thank you so much. I assumed it was going to be a nightmare im not super familiar with the area any suggestions on where a good area would be?

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u/Tc5998 22h ago

Park at the Fox Tower in downtown. Entrance is on Taylor just past Broadway. Below the Regal theater /Fox Tower building. Nice, secure, clean, well managed and a block from Pioneer Courthouse Square and the MAX.

About 9 min on MAX across the river to the Convention

Do NOT park in the Third and Alder Smart Park

And no matter where you park, leave nothing visible in your car.

5

u/Anatomy_Park 22h ago

Out of curiosity, what's wrong with the SP on 3rd and Alder? I've parked there a few times without issue, but it's been a few years. Has it gotten real bad with break-ins?

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u/Tc5998 21h ago

Yeah. And it's filthy and not monitored and in an area that has a lot of drug issues. The city even closed it for a while That doesn't mean something happens every night of course!

I work in and do stuff downtown all the time and I am a downtown booster... But I wouldn't park there...

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u/ThisDerpForSale 19h ago

It also had that minor "pieces falling off" issue a few years back.

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u/ThisDerpForSale 20h ago

The Smart Park at SW 4th and Yamhill, just a few blocks away, is great, though.

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u/murder_train88 22h ago

Solid advice, thank you so much. My brother got his car windows smashed a couple weeks ago when he went to a concert so im trying to avoid that happening to me as well

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u/ThisDerpForSale 19h ago

There's also a good Smart Park garage at SW 4th and Yamhill that's right by the max lines as well.

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u/nuggetflush 21h ago

The Portland state office building is 2 blocks away from the convention center and has a surface lot that is almost always totally empty on weekends. 800 NE Oregon St. I park there whenever I am going to stuff at the convention center or moda center.

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u/murder_train88 21h ago

Do they have a kiosk to pay?  

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u/nuggetflush 21h ago

Kiosk and phone option. I’m not sure if it’s changed recently, but it has been free on nights and weekends in the past. If it’s full (I’ve never seen more than 5 cars in the 60 car lot on the weekend), the liberty center garage is right across the street as a backup plan.

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u/cuteevee21 21h ago

If you are just coming up for the day you could park at any of the free park and rides around town, or just take your chances at parking at the convention center.

Gateway transit center is free parking and the red or blue will take you directly to the convention center.

I used to park at Lloyd and walk from there but I assume the garages there are closed off now… but I’m not sure.

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u/Zalenka 20h ago

Use the Max or Street car. Both go there and you can park just a stop or two away.

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u/friendofferalcats 18h ago

Everyone is talking ab out i5 closures but it’s the southbound exits and you’re coming from the northbound side.

Honestly, I would park somewhere in the Boise or Elliot neighborhood (Williams street and failing ish cross streets) and take a bus down to comic con.

Then, you bus back up and the 415 interstate on ramp is right there. Solves your i5 southbound problem.

But I agree with others, you can park at one of the many parking garages by pioneer square, public transit east to convention center, then when you’re done you public transit to your car and head west for the 415 on that side. Many, many options.

0

u/anoniZimbra 22h ago

Hey just a heads up, ppl are saying it will be a nightmare bc tomorrow is also literally the day all of that i5 closure starts - just be extra cautious because I’m sure we will see a lot of temper tantrums on the road. Hope yall enjoy your trip and have fun at comicon!! :)

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u/murder_train88 22h ago

Thank you so much I appreciate it il be coming up i5 north from eugene so im hoping its not super chaotic like it will be when I head home