Marginal Way acts as a major gateway to the City of Portland. From Marginal Way to Lancaster Street, the land surrounding Franklin Street is characterized by a mix of industrial, commercial, and residential land uses, including major origins and destinations like the East Bayside food hub, the northern edge of Portland Housing Authority’s residential neighborhood, and Whole Foods, all of which are set back from Franklin Street and generally oriented away from it.

South of Lancaster Street to Congress Street, the land uses shift more toward institutional uses, including City Hall, Boyd Street Garden/Park, Lincoln Park, and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. This segment also includes large multi-family housing which is, again, generally oriented away from Franklin Street and large surface parking lots such as Top of the Old Port.

South of Congress Street, the area transitions into a greater mix of uses, with commercial, retail, and residential in some relationship to Franklin Street. On the southern end of the corridor, Commercial Street serves as another major gateway into the City.