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A plaza designed by Portland-based Propel Studio Architecture to enliven a vacant lot in the Lents neighborhood is now open.

More than 100 people last week attended a grand opening for the Lents Story Yard in Southeast Portland, Propel Studio principal Lucas Gray said.

The festivities were the culmination of a project that started in January when the Portland Development Commission awarded Propel Studio and Portland-based nonprofit ROSE Community Development a $7,500 grant to activate a PDC-owned property on the corner of Southeast 88th Avenue and Foster Road.

Propel Studio designed a series of walls and benches as well as a stage area constructed with gabion (wire boxes filled with stones) for the 7,142-square-foot site. Also, an exhibit with large portraits of Lents business owners was incorporated into the plaza.

Crews from nonprofit Portland YouthBuilders started constructing the plaza in July and wrapped up work earlier this month. Volunteers, including PDC staffers and community members, helped complete it.

Although some neighborhood residents were initially skeptical of the project, those attending the ground-breaking ceremony gave only positive feedback, Gray said. Officials representing Portland nonprofits have expressed interest in holding events there.

The quick turnaround and the plaza’s purpose to help improve a community made designing it particularly rewarding, Gray said.

鈥淚t’s the first public project we’ve done,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e’re really trying to give back to our neighbors. It was incredible.鈥�

The project is designed to be temporary and spur permanent development in the area. It is scheduled to last 18 months; PDC officials will then decide whether the plaza should be disassembled or made permanent, Gray said.

鈥淚t’s open to renewal if it’s still in good condition and people still enjoy it,鈥� he said.