In the summer of 2009, residents along Central Street in St. Johns came together to slow down the traffic that whizzed through their neighborhood. They didn’t petition the city for a stop sign, but rather painted a mural on the black asphalt of their street. 

The issue of speeding traffic first came up at a series of potluck meetings hosted by Walker Leiser, a self-described “involved neighbor.” Speeding traffic along Central Street, which runs parallel to Lombard Street, has long been an issue for residents because of the large number of children in the area.

“We wanted to see if we could either slow traffic down, or get people to at least pay attention to the fact that there’s a community here that cares, and to please be aware,” Leiser said.  

Potluck-goers knew they wanted to do something, but didn’t quite know what. Hearing the complaints of his neighbors, Leiser approached City Repair, who suggested doing a pavement beautification project. Leiser brought the idea back to the potluck attendees, who all agreed. 

According to Leiser, neighbors drew their ideas for the mural on paper, to ultimately be “coalesced” by Michael Cook, a graphic designer and Village Building Convergence Placemaking coordinator. Inspired by members of the fishing community who live along Central Street, the mural consists of two salmon on either side of a large sun. 

Funding for the project came from Miller Paint, who covered half the cost of the paint and brushes; City Repair; and the residents themselves.  

Leiser described the mural as a “gathering place” for the neighborhood, something residents can look after and take care of. Since being painted, the mural has been defaced six or seven times by cars that intentionally peel out across it, leaving long black tire marks. After each time, neighbors have come together to share information and to repaint the mural. 

“It’s created more of a connection in the community than if they hadn’t peeled out on it in the first place,” Leiser said. 

Although, according to the city of Portland, the mural is not an official “traffic calming element,” Leiser contends that the mural has been effective. “I’ve seen people, even to this day, slow down and look at it.” 

While the intent was to slow down traffic, Leiser is most excited by the community pride and connection amongst residents the mural has brought to the neighborhood. “Whether it’s had any effect on traffic or not perhaps is less important than the effect it’s had on the community itself.”