CAS Transportation and Parking

In addition to celebrating our graduates, Portland will also be celebrating the Portland Fire’s inaugural home game across the plaza at Portland’s Moda Center. While we are fortunate to not have a direct start-time overlap with the playoff game, operators of the Memorial Coliseum have strongly urged us to plan for an unusually high number of cars and extremely limited parking in the Rose Quarter, particularly at the end of the ceremony. With that in mind, we strongly encourage graduates and guests to: 

1. Take advantage of Portland’s mass transit, TriMet. TriMet’s MAX (light rail) system includes a stop at the Moda Center (Yellow, Red, Green and Blue lines), a short walk from Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
2. Take advantage of the college’s free OtterBus, which will be running on a loop from downtown to Veterans Memorial Coliseum via the Oregon Convention’s parking garage.
3. Use your preferred app-based ride-share platform or take a taxi to the event. 
4. Arrive early! If you must drive to the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, we would strongly encourage you to arrive early as their is limited parking available onsite that will be dedicated to to the CAS Commencement. Driver’s should try parking at the Memorial Coliseum’s West Garage, which has been reserved for commencement. We expect the West Garage to fill early. 

*** It is encouraged that guests with mobility needs be dropped off at the entrance to the Coliseum. Graduates may request special Accommodation Tickets for Guests that include early entrance to the Coliseum. 

The following map provides a brief overview of parking options, shuttle stops, and and public transit routes:

Lewis & Clark’s free OtterBus (Shuttle) will operate a special route both pre- and post-ceremony that connect guests between:

• SmartPark Garage - SW 4th & SW (other garages are also nearby)
• Oregon Convention Center Parking Garage
• Veterans Memorial Coliseum.  

The OtterBus Commencement Shuttle Route will operate on a roughly 20-25 minute loop: 

• Pre-ceremony: 12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
• Post-ceremony 4:30 - 6:00 p.m