PSU’s Placemakers Exchange Points Toward a More Vibrant Portland

On May 20^th, 2026 Portland State University brought together PSU students and staff, urban thinkers, planners, and community leaders for the Placemakers Exchange. The event facilitated a timely conversation about what it means for a university to truly belong to its city. PSU’s motto has long been “Let Knowledge Serve the City.” Now, the university is translating that ideal into something tangible: a bold reimagining of its campus as a place that doesn’t just educate students but actively strengthens the urban fabric of Portland.

Lizzy Caston, Senior Associate at Leland, joined the event as both a panelist and roundtable participant, bringing her deep expertise in placemaking, real estate, urban strategy, and economic development. Her perspective underscored a theme that ran throughout the day: placemaking in planning isn’t just decoration or fun events. Thoughtful, community centered design and programming can drive economics, attract investment, and build lasting community engagement and partnerships. 

Campus as Catalyst

Universities are uniquely positioned at the intersection of capacity, knowledge, and creativity. They attract curious minds, help solve societal problems, and produce the next generation of leaders. But too often, that energy stays locked behind academic walls. The Placemakers Exchange explored how PSU can flip that script by opening its campus outward and weaving itself more deeply into the life of the city.

The conversation is timely. Portland, like many urban cores, is navigating a challenging post-pandemic reset. Storefronts sit vacant and foot traffic has not fully recovered. The question of who downtown is for has never been more urgent. PSU has a rare opportunity, and arguably a responsibility, to be part of the answer.

At the same time, universities are also facing a challenging moment due to demographic shifts and changes to long-standing funding sources. PSU is seeing declining enrollment as well as a shift in how students, workers and the larger community utilize the campus. The school’s leadership is beginning to assess the need for a the real estate strategy that supports long term viability.

Partnership through Placemaking

What emerged from the Exchange was a vision of PSU an anchor for an economically vibrant neighborhood that draws people in, supports small businesses, and activates public spaces.

This moment matters. The city is looking for renewal drivers. PSU’s genuine commitment to community and local economic development will help strengthen downtown as well as the university itself.