Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In

Streetfilms' Clarence Eckerson was in Portland recently where he caught up with a neighborhood "Intersection Repair" project.

New York City will experience a similar community-driven street reclamation project later this summer. A number of groups will be coming out to repair the Brooklyn intersection where a 4-year-old boy was run over and killed by the driver of a Hummer in February. Stay tuned for more information about what is sure to be a landmark Livable Streets project.

In the meantime, here is Clarence's correspondence from Portland:

Just returned from City Repair's 7th Annual Village Building Convergencein Portland, Oregon where hundreds of neighbors, students, andvolunteers are taking back their streets to make them more livable, andcommunity-oriented. Of the dozens of seminars, celebrations andbuilding projects going on, StreetFilms loves the Intersection Repair.

AnIntersection Repair usually involves painting an intersection with anelaborate design that creates a community gathering space and hopefullycajoles drivers to slow down; to give them a signal that they areentering a neighborhood. But it goes far beyond the paint on theasphalt as neighbors at some locations further enhance the experienceover time by adding benches, establishing community bulletin boards,introducing gardens & art, etc. - all of which entice neighborsinteract more and care about the commons outside their homes.

When City Repairfirst attempted some of these events many years ago, the PortlandOffice of Transportation (PDOT) did not sancation it. Undaunted,communities went ahead and did them anyway! Thankfully, today timeshave changed: PDOT has an official liasion to City Repair who helpscoordinate permitting and street closures and also oversees some of thedesign standards. Yup, there is a StreetFilm in the works that may post by the end of the week, but for now enjoy the photos.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

And the Winner Is…: Streetsblog’s New Video Team Honored with Deadline Club Award

Streetsblog's social media team, led by Engagement Editor Emily Lipstein, received the Deadline Club's award for digital video reporting on Thursday night.

Friday Video: The ‘Clear’ Benefits of Daylighting

The doyen of daylighting is back with a new video.

May 16, 2025

How One Anti-Gov’t Republican Signed onto a Street Safety Bill to Rein in Reckless Drivers

State Sen. Anthony Palumbo went from "government overreach" to reaching across the aisle in a single day.

May 16, 2025

‘All in the Family’: NYPD Commissioner and Power-Broker Mom Are Both Crusading Against E-Bikes

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch has justified her criminal crackdown on cycling by saying that complaints about cyclists are the most frequent concerns she hears. Such complaints could be coming from inside the house.

May 16, 2025

Puddles Plague Hudson River Greenway As Rain Batters NYC

Greenway cyclists face dangerous conditions when it rains — as Streetsblog observed this week in Manhattan.

May 16, 2025
See all posts