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Nonprofits urge more green plazas, depaving and streamlined permits to expand city green infrastructure
Summary
Depave, PDX Urban Gardens and other community groups told the committee temporary pop-up plazas and depaving can reduce heat, increase public safety and expand food access; they urged streamlined permitting and more cross‑bureau support.
Nonprofit groups and community partners presented to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Sept. 22 about efforts to convert over-paved sites into green plazas and community food spaces, and urged the city to streamline permitting and coordinate across bureaus to scale the work.
Sean Perez, board president of Depave (DPAVE), described the organization’s work removing asphalt and replacing it with green infrastructure at schools, churches and public sites. Perez said DPAVE’s projects reduce urban heat and provide community benefits: “We are able to make reductions of up to, 7 degrees Fahrenheit,” he said, citing a NASA-linked study the group referenced.
DPAVE highlighted a seasonal plaza they organized at Southeast Seventh and Sandy in the Central Eastside, where organizers reported daily visitors ranging from 200 to 1,000 on some days this summer and said the site has hosted…
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