Harold P. Kelley Plaza – History and Significance in Portland’s Hollywood District
Origins and Dedication in the 1980s
Harold P. Kelley Plaza is a small brick-paved public plaza located at NE 42nd Avenue and Sandy Boulevard in the Hollywood District of northeast Portland. It was created in 1984–1985 when the city closed a short segment of NE Hancock Street to traffic as part of a traffic improvement plan . This closure eliminated the “sixth leg” of a confusing, dangerous intersection caused by Sandy Boulevard’s diagonal path through the neighborhood . Rather than sell the vacated right-of-way for development, the City decided to establish a public plaza – an important choice at a time when the Hollywood District had no other public open space . Upon completion in 1985, the plaza was soon named in honor of Harold P. Kelley, a beloved local businessman who owned a nearby appliance store and led the neighborhood business booster association . Kelley was often called the unofficial “Mayor of the Hollywood District” for his civic leadership , and the plaza’s naming recognized his key role in the community.
Features and Community Use
From its inception, Harold Kelley Plaza was envisioned as a central gathering spot – effectively the “heart” of the Hollywood neighborhood. The plaza occupies what remains legally a city street right-of-way (not an official park), and it was zoned Open Space (OS) to preserve it for public use . The design includes benches and a distinctive gold star motif in the pavement (a nod to the Hollywood name and film industry) . A historic Benson Bubbler drinking fountain – iconic in Portland – is installed at the plaza , and in 2008 the plaza even hosted chess tables to encourage positive public use (as reported by The Oregonian) . The triangular lot just west of the plaza is home to the tiny Hollywood Burger Bar (built in the 1950s as a streetcar ticket booth), which adds historic character to the plaza’s immediate surroundings . Over the years, community events have occasionally brushed the plaza – for example, it sits adjacent to the route of the annual Hollywood Farmer’s Market and other neighborhood happenings – but day-to-day use of the space has remained relatively light . In fact, a 2000 city planning report noted that “the plaza is not well used”, observing that few people gathered there regularly and nearby businesses had not capitalized on the amenity .
Despite its modest activity levels, Kelley Plaza has always offered basic amenities for passersby to sit, rest, or meet. It features public seating and planter beds, including a stormwater bioswale landscaping installed to manage runoff . (The Hollywood Boosters have volunteered to install and maintain potted plants in the plaza, helping beautify the space .) Notably, because the plaza was created out of a street, it was long unclear which city bureau was responsible for upkeep – it wasn’t an official Parks bureau property, and it remained part of the transportation right-of-way. As one local observer quipped, “this isn’t really a city park… so I’m not sure who’s in charge of trimming the trees and emptying the trash cans.” This ambiguity in maintenance led to periods of neglect, with litter and overgrown vegetation sometimes accumulating until volunteers or adjacent businesses stepped in.
Planning Efforts and Improvements (1990s–2000s)
By the late 1990s, city planners and neighborhood stakeholders recognized that Harold Kelley Plaza had greater potential and also some shortcomings that needed addressing. The Hollywood and Sandy Plan (adopted in 2000) devoted attention to the plaza as the district’s only public open space . Leading up to that plan, a series of community workshops and design charrettes were held in 1998–1999 specifically to brainstorm improvements for Kelley Plaza . These public meetings – organized by the Hollywood Boosters, Hollywood Development Corporation, and City planners – generated ideas such as better lighting, informational signage, and aesthetic upgrades to make the plaza more inviting . In response, the 2000 Plan formally recommended “improving and enhancing Harold Kelley Plaza”, including a short-term action to clarify maintenance roles between the Parks Bureau and the transportation bureau (PDOT) . The plan also called for installing an information kiosk in the plaza to provide wayfinding for neighborhood attractions like the transit center, library, and farmer’s market . City Council adopted these actions, signaling official recognition that the plaza should be cared for as a key public space. (Indeed, the adopted plan explicitly stated the City’s intent to ensure “that Harold Kelley Plaza remains developed as open space in public ownership, and continues to be maintained.” )
Some improvements did materialize in the early 2000s. The local neighborhood coalition (Central Northeast Neighbors) and the Hollywood Development Corp partnered on modest upgrades around 2001–2002. According to City reports, this included physical sprucing up of the plaza and even the placement of a flagpole along NE Sandy Blvd at the plaza’s edge . Enhanced lighting was another focus – the Hollywood & Sandy Plan had noted that the plaza (like the nearby transit station area) needed better illumination to improve safety at night . Around this time, Portland Parks & Recreation began officially maintaining the site (e.g. occasional tree trimming and cleanup), though resources were limited . Volunteer energy also continued: in the late ’90s a number of community volunteers had identified the plaza’s deficiencies and were actively working on plans to revitalize it . These combined efforts show that both the City and neighbors invested in the plaza’s upkeep and improvement during that era, albeit incrementally.
Challenges: Homelessness, Crime, and Cleanliness Issues
Like many public spaces in Portland, Harold Kelley Plaza has faced challenges with vagrancy, crime, and cleanliness, especially in the 2010s and into the 2020s. Even in earlier decades, the surrounding Hollywood District dealt with periodic issues of illicit activity. The 2000 Hollywood plan noted community concerns about “the presence of prostitution and illegal drug activity” in parts of the district and specifically flagged the plaza as an area needing attention to improve real and perceived safety . At night, the plaza’s darkness and relative seclusion made it less welcoming; this was one reason the City prioritized new lighting there .
In recent years, the plaza’s central location and sheltering brick walls have unfortunately made it an occasional spot for homeless camping or loitering, as well as a repository for trash. By 2021 the situation had become concerning enough that a local resident, Heidi Newmark, decided to take action. She “adopted” the plaza’s block through the Adopt One Block volunteer program and began spending time every week cleaning up garbage in and around Kelley Plaza . For months Newmark picked up litter and debris on her own. After a human-interest story about her efforts appeared in the Hollywood Star News in September 2021, other neighbors were inspired to help. She was able to recruit fellow residents via Nextdoor, and “one morning, seven people showed up to join in her weekly chore, removing garbage from the area.”These grassroots cleanup sessions have helped remove trash and needles, plant flowers, and generally keep the plaza tidier than before. However, Newmark noted that the work is ongoing and that without regular attention the litter returns .
Despite these volunteer efforts, there has not been a permanent solution to the homelessness and safety problems at Kelley Plaza. The underlying social issues are complex and not unique to this location. Neighbors have occasionally asked for increased police patrols or social services outreach in the plaza, but it remains a challenging spot to keep secure and clean. As of 2025, the issue persists – the plaza still sees transient use and periodic crime incidents, reflecting the broader struggles with homelessness in Portland. The City’s Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) has by now integrated Harold Kelley Plaza into its official “Portland Public Street Plazas” program, which suggests a commitment to better management. (PBOT made street plazas a permanent program after the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to foster inclusive public spaces citywide .) Even so, the Hollywood plaza’s day-to-day condition is still largely dependent on community stewardship. The fact that volunteers must organize cleanups highlights that this heart of Hollywood is not yet reaching its full potential as a safe, welcoming space for all.
Looking Ahead: Revitalizing “The Heart of Hollywood”
Harold Kelley Plaza holds symbolic importance in the Hollywood District – it is “the only one” public square the neighborhood has , a physical heart for a community otherwise lacking park space. Over the decades, its fortunes have been something of a barometer for the district’s overall health. When Hollywood prospered (with busy shops and the bustling Hollywood Theatre nearby), the plaza was more activated; when the area struggled with blight or social issues, the plaza often emptied out or attracted negative uses. Many longtime residents say that “you know the Hollywood District is doing well when its core – the only park we have – is working.” The plaza’s history shows both the highs(community pride, investments like chess tables and public art, volunteer clean-ups) and the lows (neglect, crime, and ambiguity over responsibility) that Hollywood has experienced.
Today, there is growing momentum to truly make Harold Kelley Plaza a thriving town square that the neighborhood can be proud of. Neighbors and local business leaders are calling for a renewed focus on this space. Ideas have ranged from programming more events (such as small concerts, movie nights, or a food cart pod) to redesigning the plaza with better seating, public art, or even a kiosk café to draw positive activity. Any successful plan will likely require a collaborative effort – the City ensuring regular maintenance and security, local organizations helping program and beautify the plaza, and community members continuing their volunteer spirit. The plaza’s namesake, Harold Kelley, was known for bringing people together to improve Hollywood, and that same spirit is what can transform the plaza going forward.
In summary, Harold P. Kelley Plaza’s past and present tell the story of a community nexus in need of care. It was born out of civic planning and named for a civic leader; it has weathered decades of change while remaining the de factotown square of Hollywood. Problems like homelessness and crime have at times marred its promise, but the passion of residents and the legacy of people like Harold Kelley suggest that solutions are possible. By rallying the city and community around this plaza – truly making the “heart of Hollywood” clean, safe, and lively – the Hollywood District can be revitalized from its core outward. The history above provides a timeline of challenges and efforts; the next chapter for Harold Kelley Plaza will be written by those who are determined to turn an underutilized mini-park into a shining community centerpiece once again. With sustained focus and teamwork, Hollywood’s heart can indeed be made to beatproudly for years to come.
Sources:
Portland Bureau of Transportation – Public Street Plazas Directory (official site)
Cyclotram local history blog – “Harold Kelley Plaza” (2014)
City of Portland Bureau of Planning – Hollywood and Sandy Plan (2000)
City of Portland ONI Report (2002)
The Oregonian (2008) via Wikipedia – chess tables in plaza
Hollywood Star News (2021) – volunteer cleanup efforts
Portland.gov archives – planning documents and charrette notes
Hollywood District community anecdotes (various, via neighborhood reports)