Obryant Square News Today

The Portland community came together Wednesday evening to discuss the plaza named in honor of an icon of the city, Darcelle XV.

Portland advocates for parks and public space were excited when city officials announced the plan to overhaul and reopen O’Bryant Square, the downtown park now named Darcelle XV Plaza, after the late, renowned drag performer. Now, roughly a year since the plaza’s rebirth process began, some early project stakeholders and local urban design leaders fear the plans are being swayed by private business interests. Though it was once seen as a feat of public planning,...

Of all the places that epitomize aspects of the challenges downtown Portland has faced in recent years, one of the most emblematic is O’Bryant Square—a formerly award-winning public plaza located at the corner of SW Park Ave. and SW Harvey Milk St. that has been closed for the last five years due to structural issues. In 2022, the city decided to demolish the structurally unsound parking structure underneath O’Bryant Square and fill it with dirt—clearing...

Portland's Darcelle XV Plaza, formally O'Bryant Square, will feature a performance area, a small off-leash dog park and honor LGBTQ+ heroes in a "walk of fame."

The plaza is expected to open to the public this summer or fall.

The demolition of Darcelle XV Plaza, previously known as O’Bryant Square, has been pushed to January 2024, city officials told KOIN 6 News.

Field Operations, Sam Schwartz, Arcadis, and Public Works Partners have been selected to redesign Fifth Avenue.

Minneapolis was one of several U.S. cities where groups of people rallied Sunday in support of Palestinians.

The move to honor the late performer demonstrates the Oregon city's commitment to inclusion and the LGBTQ+ community, city leaders say.

Darcelle XV, aka Walter Cole, was known for being the oldest working drag queen in the world, and for helping bring more acceptance to Portland.