Proposed Pilot Program Removes Food Trucks from Eastern Prom to Parking Lot

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Mr. Tuna Food Truck has Become a Permanent Fixture on the Eastern Promenade.  It Often Has Several Vehicles Parked on the E. Prom, Although They Are Not All Selling Product.

Gelato Fiasco, a Popular Food Truck on the Eastern Promenade.

A View of The Middle lParking Lot on Cutter Street off the Eastern Promen Where Ten Food Trucks May be Located Starting June 15, 2022.

Food trucks will no longer be allowed to operate on the Eastern Promenade and will only be allowed within the middle parking lot on Cutter Street are the messages delivered in a press release issued by the city of Portland at 6:00 pm. Revision of the Food Truck Rules are underway and rule changes will take effect June 15, 2022. This is a proposed pilot program recommended by Portland’s interim city manager, Danielle West.

Approximately ten parking spaces that can accommodate ten food trucks will be made available in the Cutter Street lot for food truck operations.  Food truck owners interested in utilizing one of these spaces will have to apply for a permit.  If interest in this space exceeds the number of parking spaces available, permits will be issued by lottery.  Permits will be isued at no cost to food trucks operatiors this year since this is a pilot program, but a permit fee may be implemented in future years.

Renewed interest in outdoor dining during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a significant increase in food truck and customer activity on the Eastern Promenade.  While the sense of community and fun for this activity introduced was positive, it also resulted in excessive trash, root compaction of park trees and turf, excessive idling and generator use, loss of parking, noise and other quality-of-life issues according to the press release from the cty.  This communication appears on the city council’s Monday, May 2, 2022 agenda for its consideration.

Did the city make an effort to inform the licensed food truck owners in Portland of this agenda item on Monday, May 2, 2022?  I’ll bet not.  Why so much notice with such a dramatic change for so many?

For more background information on the subject, please visit post herein dated April 2, 2022, “Future of Food Trucks on Eastern Promenade Uncertain for Owners.”