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Foster-Powell Neighborhood Website
Southeast Uplift Coalition Website
Neighborhood Boundaries Map
Foster-Powell Maps
Aerial Photos
Capital Improvement Projects*
Crime Statistics*
Parks**
Schools**
Zoning Designations**
Foster-Powell
Neighborhood Demographics
2000 Census Info
1990 Census Info
Links
Southeast Events Calendar
Southeast Neighborhood News
PDC Lents Town Center Urban Renewal Area
Public Land Use Notices
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The Foster-Powell neighborhood is rooted in and defined by transportation. It's northern border is formed by Powell Blvd, a U.S. highway (26) that stretches from the Oregon coast to the heart of Nebraska. Foster Road defines the southern border of the neighborhood, giving it it's peculiar triangle shape. Foster Road breaks off from US 26/Powell Blvd at 50th Avenue, continues eastward through Pleasant Valley and terminates in the town of Damascus. In Portland's early days, Foster was a dusty trail used by farmers to haul their goods downtown, passing through the then-independent town of Lents (near 92nd Avenue) on the way. Commercial and residential development of Foster grew along the streetcar line, including the early subdivisions that form the Foster-Powell neighborhood. In the early 20th century, Foster was Portland's widest street, with 17-foot wide sidewalks modeled after Parisian boulevards.
After some years of decline during the economic troubles of the 1970s and 1980s, this area of Southeast Portland is making a comeback. Young families and immigrants, attracted by the affordability of housing, have moving into the area in droves, restoring its residential vitality. New shops and restaurants are opening along Foster Road, and the recent extension of the Lents Urban Renewal Area down Foster to 50th will provide funding to fix up many storefronts and implement the Foster Road Streetscape improvements. Foster Road is finally on its way back to being one of Portland's great Main Streets!
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