Update to CET’s Cleaning Program Starting July 2026

Beginning July 2026, Central Eastside Together (CET) will be making important adjustments to our Clean Team operations as part of our ongoing program evaluation and in response to feedback we heard from you through surveys, listening sessions, and outreach.

What’s Changing

One of the most consistent pieces of feedback we hear is the need for more visible cleaning coverage throughout the district. We’ve made the following changes to better serve Central Eastside businesses, their employees and visitors: 

• More Cleaners in the Field

  We are shifting from a fleet of two cleaning trucks and two tricycle cleaners to one cleaning truck and four tricycle cleaners.

  This strategic change will increase our presence along corridors where trash and debris are most prevalent, while also improving response times for service requests. With more staff actively working throughout the district, we can provide broader coverage and respond more quickly to issues as they arise.

• Strategic Partnership with the City of Portland

  This year, we piloted a partnership with the City of Portland's Impact Reduction Program to coordinate large-item removals. When City crews are working nearby, we can effectively triage bulky items through their system, helping address issues more efficiently.

  The partnership has been highly successful and has allowed us to reassess the need for a second cleaning truck. Because this program is funded in the City's FY27 budget, we will continue this collaboration moving forward. By reducing our truck fleet from two vehicles to one, we can invest in additional tricycle cleaners and expand our on-the-ground presence throughout the district.

• New Routes and Service Priorities

  We are refining our service routes to focus on major corridors, high-foot-traffic areas, and locations preparing for district events. At the same time, our cleaning program will continue to operate proactively throughout the district while remaining available on a dispatch basis for issues specific to your business.

  Responsive services will continue to prioritize biohazards, drug paraphernalia, and trash or debris that impacts business operations, ensuring we can address the issues that matter most quickly. 

Why It Matters

Our mission is to foster a safer district and enhance the pedestrian experience, reinforce economic viability, and promote Central Eastside’s unique identity through our innovative and highly-responsive programs and services.

These changes help us meet our mission by creating a more visible and responsive street-level cleaning presence throughout the Central Eastside while still maintaining capacity for larger and specialized cleanup needs. 

Same Great Service Stays

There are no changes to how you request our services. All existing reporting and dispatch processes will stay the same, and we remain committed to responding to cleaning requests promptly, particularly prioritizing biohazards.

We appreciate everyone who took the time to share feedback over the past year. As always, we’ll continue monitoring service levels and making adjustments where needed.

Services are available Monday – Friday, 7 am – 3:30 pm

To inform our team of high-need areas, contact:

Email: clean@ceic.cc
Phone: 503-236-6830 EXT. 700

Thank you for your continued partnership and investment in the district. Stay tuned for invitations to our ratepayer sessions this fall.