The Central Eastside is incorporated into the City of Portland and is the Pacific Northwest’s largest port. Double-decker docks, specializing primarily in the shipping and receiving of agricultural goods, lined the Willamette River’s east bank. Produce distribution and industrial service businesses developed along the railroad tracks and Union Avenue (now Martin Luther King Blvd).

Governor Neil Goldschmidt and representatives from local Eastside businesses designed the district a sanctuary to preserve the district’s industrial character.

Central Eastside Council [CEIC] is created to advocate and represent businesses on the Central Eastside.

District Urban Renewal Plan passed.

Oregon Convention Center built on Eastside through CEIC advocacy.

OMSI relocates to the Central Eastside with CEIC advocacy.

Development of the Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade with partial funding from the Urban Renewal Plan.

Creation of Employment Opportunity Subarea Zoning to increase density in the area without threatening the district’s industrial character.

Burnside Bridge Head Project.

Advocacy for the preservation of the Convention Center Plaza.

Central Eastside Parking Plan initiated, and the Burnside-Couch Couplet created through CEIC advocacy.

Formation of the Transportation and Parking Advisory Committee (TPAC), a sub-committee of the CEIC, in partnership with the Portland Bureau of Transportation to resolve current district parking issues and create parking management systems.

Development of the Portland Vision, Portland Plan, Central City 2035 Plan, and SE Quadrant Plan.

Opening of the Tilikum Crossing. This pedestrian, bike and light rail bridge is first new bridge built across the river in the Portland metropolitan area since 1973.

Formation of the enhanced services district, Central Eastside Together. In February 2019, Portland City Council unanimously voted to approve an Enhanced Services District in the Central Eastside. The Central Eastside’s Enhanced Services District is known as Central Eastside Together.