City of Portland’s IRP And PBOT Collaborate For Extensive Cleanup On NE 33rd Dr.

Portland, Ore. — This week, the City of Portland’s Homelessness and Urban Camping Impact Reduction Program (IRP) is partnering with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) for a comprehensive cleanup effort on both sides of NE 33rd Dr., spanning the area between NE Marine Dr and NE Columbia Blvd. The coordinated project involves the removal of campsites, camp-related debris, and towing of vehicles.

IRP’s contracted work crews will be responsible for removing camps and debris, while PBOT officers will tow vehicles. The initiative also includes the participation of Portland Police officers and Port of Portland officers who will assist with traffic management and address safety concerns.

In preparation for the cleanup, navigation and outreach team staff have been engaging with campers along 33rd Dr. daily for the past 2-3 weeks. As of yesterday, these efforts have resulted in 26 referrals to Safe Rest Village and Temporary Alternative Shelter Sites. Outreach staff will remain present throughout the week during removals to offer assistance with resource referrals.

While IRP routinely conducts numerous camp removals throughout the city each week, the 33rd Dr. cleanup is more extensive than usual. The project required substantial advance preparation and coordination among various bureaus and entities. Due to its size and scope, this removal will extend over several days, exceeding the typical duration.

Providing context for the site, in the past year:

IRP and PBOT have carried out at least 11 smaller, focused vehicle and camp removals along 33rd Dr.
IRP has conducted a minimum of 30 risk assessments on the road.
IRP has received over 60 community reports of campsites and lived-in vehicles along 33rd Dr.
The larger effort aims to fully reset the area and undertake a more thorough cleanup. Following the cleanup, PBOT and Port of Portland intend to post no parking signs along this stretch of road. This measure is designed to facilitate more efficient responses to future vehicle camping and prevent the accumulation of campers, RVs, and debris in the area.