Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In

We're continuing with our hunt for Most Improved Parking Crater today, slowly but surely narrowing down a list of 16 candidates to find the urban parking lot that has become a beloved cityscape rather than a cement crater filled with cars.

Today's matchup is a little different because it features two central civic spaces that were once nothing but asphalt.

Before we get to it though, voting is still open for yesterday's competition pitting Houston vs. Boston (Minnesota and Oakland have already moved onto the second round).

parking madness 2019

Now on to today's competition:

Portland

P-town's Pioneer Courtyard Square was formerly a low-rise parking deck.

Reader Jay Shuffield, who submitted the below photos, said, "There's probably nothing that challenges Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square emerging from the site of a full-block parking deck to become the city's central civic space."

portland before
portland after

Pioneer Courtyard Square calls itself "Portland's living room" and the city's "most visited park." The square hosts 300 programmed events per year, according to the nonprofit group that oversees the space.

Pittsburgh

A similar conversion has taken place in Steel City's famous Schenley Plaza.

pittsburgh after
Photo: John Altdorfer, Schenley Plaza story time

Reader Laura Ellis nominated this space, saying:

The five-acre plaza is located on what was a large, 280-space parking lot in Oakland and situated between the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Phipps Conservatory, and the Carnegie Museums and Library. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh, transformed the space, and today this much-loved community greenspace attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, providing gathering places, entertainment, and a grand entrance to Schenley Park.

In addition to a one-acre green space, the park contains dining kiosks, a carousel, public restrooms and a full-service restaurant. In other words, it's a big improvement over a parking lot.

But can it top Pioneer Courthouse Square? Let us know which deserves to go on to the second round. Vote now!

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Wednesday’s Headlines Living Just Enough for the City

President Trump is tapping into an age-old sentiment when he attacks cities. They've endured worse over the years.

October 22, 2025

Study: Removing Parking Minimums Leads to More Affordable Housing

Removing parking requirements for new buildings could help thousands of Coloradans who struggle to afford housing — and it might work elsewhere, too.

Embracing the E-Bike Boom: How China Is Leading on Regulations and Infrastructure

China is making big strides to regulate and support slow-speed electric micromobility — and the U.S. could take a page from their book.

October 22, 2025

The ‘Problem’ With E-Bikes? The Super Fast Illegal Ones

New Yorkers are riding illegal vehicles marketed as e-bikes with little to no-consequences, and it's a safety problem.

October 21, 2025

The ‘War on Cars’ Is Worth Fighting — And Here’s What Life Might Look Like When We Win

A first book from the prolific podcast hosts offers a solid foundation for would-be advocates against automobility — and some new ammunition for veterans.

October 21, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines Burn Rubber

Is the light rail renaissance of the 1990s and 2000s over? Bus Rapid Transit is the trendy choice now.

October 21, 2025
See all posts