We’re inviting individuals, organizations, emerging projects, and collaboratives to apply to help bring a new Community Center at 72 Parris Street to life. This is a rare opportunity to co-create a community-owned space rooted in equity, creativity, and care, right in the heart of Portland’s Bayside neighborhood.

What You’re Applying For

To become a Community Partner in co-creating and occupying the 72 Parris St. Community Center. Roles may include:

• Co-owner or governance partner

• Center manager or anchor tenant

• Service or program provider

• Collaborator in a shared space

The Vision for 72 Parris Street

When Fork Food Lab left 72 Parris St. in 2023, building owner Justin Alfond committed to donating the building and land to the community. Since then, a year-long community process—led by local residents, organizations, and the 72 Parris St. Steering Committee—has shaped a shared vision for the site:

A multi-use space, with a Community Center at its heart, that reflects the evolving needs of Bayside and serves the rich diversity of the neighborhood and Portland.

What is this Community Center?
It’s more than a building. It’s a place where power and resources are shared—where community members lead, create, and connect. It is envisioned as a space grounded in racial, economic, and gender justice, supporting the social, physical, and spiritual well-being of all who enter.

Key Needs the Community Center Will Address:

• A welcoming, joyful space rooted in the Bayside community, amidst ongoing gentrification

• Inclusive governance and ownership, centering working-class, BIPOC, multiracial, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ communities

• Flexible and affordable space for classes, events, healing, organizing, and celebration

• Dynamic, accessible programming for neighbors, nonprofits, and local businesses

Possible features include:

• Community food and meal spaces

• Arts rehearsal and creation areas

• Green elements

• Programs and classes for all ages

Our Core Values

The Community Center will be rooted in:

• Equity in Action

• Inclusive Diversity

• Collaboration & Shared Leadership

• Accessibility

• Welcoming & Belonging

What’s Happening with the Building?

Community input favored:

• Keeping the current building with a new addition, or

• Replacing the building with a new structure

Final site plans will be shaped by selected Community Partners and the future Project Development Committee.

Who Can Apply

We welcome applications from:

• Individuals

• Emerging projects (with or without legal status)

• Nonprofits, businesses, or organizations

• New or existing collaboratives

We’re especially seeking applicants who:

• Have ties to Bayside (past or present)

• Are locally led or locally owned

• Reflect Bayside’s diversity

• Are collaborating with others.

What Comes Next

Selected applicants will:

• Be part of the Project Development Committee that co-designs and launches the Center

• Help shape ownership, governance, and programming

• Collaborate with others to build a shared space from the ground up

Ownership of the land and building will transfer to a new community-rooted entity (e.g., a co-op, land trust, nonprofit, or hybrid model).

Note on Housing: Affordable housing is a future possibility, but this application is for the Community Center only.

Read the Complete Request for Application

We encourage all applicants to read this before applying.