Category Archives: transportation planning

Columbia River Crossing and its Regional Impact

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CROSSING THE COLUMBIA: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
A Forum to Explore the Columbia River Crossing and its Regional Impact
Presented by PDXplore and the Architecture Foundation of Oregon

Exhibitions and Presentations
March 22-26, 2010

Pacific Northwest College of Art
1241 NW Johnson | Portland, OR
Free and open to the public

For complete details, please visit www.pdxplore.org

The Architecture Foundation of Oregon (AFO) and the independent PDXplore design collective share a purpose to advance awareness of design and its role in the urban planning process. To help the public better understand the magnitude of the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project, AFO and PDXplore have partnered to present Crossing the Columbia: What Does It Mean?, a multi-faceted forum at Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA).

The forum will provide several opportunities to consider and discuss this urban infrastructure project of local and national relevance. The results of the CRC will impact our region for decades and the project demands a clear vision of its far-reaching economic, ecological, cultural and social significance. We hope to broaden the discussion with a wide-reaching audience in the Portland-Vancouver region including: elected officials, community leaders, neighborhood associations, special interest groups, the architecture and design community, students and educators, and interested individuals.

The forum is co-sponsored by PNCA and the Regional Arts & Culture Council.

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PDXplore: Expanding Design Awareness
March 22 – 26, 2010, PNCA’s Swigert Commons
Visit a large-scale exhibition that will feature questions and design approaches to the Columbia River Crossing and its regional impact, presented by the five members of PDXplore.
Opening Reception:

Monday, March 22, 5:30-7pm, PNCA’s Swigert Commons
AFO and PDXplore welcome the public to join them in celebration at the opening of the exhibition. A tour led by the PDXplore design collective will begin at 6pm, offering the public an opportunity to learn more about the individual designers’ approaches and ask questions.

International Panel: Fresh Design Perspectives
Thursday, March 25, 6-8pm, PNCA’s Swigert Commons
Join moderator Ethan Seltzer as he leads a provocative discussion about the Columbia River Crossing with international experts in the fields of design, culture and urban planning. Panelists include: Boston Globe architecture critic, Robert Campbell; artist, Ed Carpenter; outgoing National Endowment for the Arts Director of Design, Maurice Cox; Toronto architect and urban design consultant, Ken Greenberg; and author of The Organic Machine: The Remaking of the Columbia River, Professor Richard White.
All events are FREE and take place at Pacific Northwest College of Art
1241 NW Johnson | Portland, OR
PNCA is open to the public daily from 10am – 7pm

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Mara Gross
Policy Director
Coalition for a Livable Future
503.294.2889
www.clfuture.org

Miracles Club Good Neighbor Agreement in Arbitration

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The Miracles Club, a social club for people in recovery from drug addiction on Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. is due to see ground broken on its new facility on the east side of the boulevard soon. In connection with the move, a Good Neighbor Agreement between the club, the immediate neighbors and King Neighborhood Association was in the works for many months. After negotiations broke down between the immediate neighbors, Miracles, and city planning officials last winter, the process was sent to mediation. So far, one meeting has been held between mediators, an immediate neighbor, members of Miracles, NECN, and KNA. A court ruling last year prohibited the blocking of all traffic from the site to Grand Avenue. The working group hopes to identify the remaining negotiable issues and prioritize them so that negotiations can proceed constructively.

PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY: 2035 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN

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On Monday, March 22, 2010, Metro will open a third and final 45-day public comment opportunity on the draft 2035 Regional Transportation Plan and an air quality conformity analysis that indicates the region will continue to meet federal and state clean air standards. The comment period for both of these documents will close at midnight on Thursday, May 6, 2010. Comments received after that time will not be included in the formal public record.

The RTP is a long-term blueprint that guides transportation planning and investments throughout the region. Metro is required to update the plan every four years. The plan proposes investing more than $20 billion in local, regional, state and federal funds during the next 25 years. The plan seeks to improve safety and travel choices for everyone, revitalize downtowns, main streets, create jobs and enhance our economy, maintain clean air and reduce our region’s carbon footprint. The final RTP reflects the policies, project list and funding strategy as accepted by the Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation and the Metro Council in December 2009.

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Feedback Needed to Shape Future Urban Renewal

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A community-based public forum series is being held to educate and engage community members regarding pending decisions about significant Urban Renewal Area (URA) investments that will change the built environment of inner North and Northeast neighborhoods. Inspired by neighbors for neighbors, these forums are an opportunity for local residents to learn about and share their views on the history of local Urban Renewal Areas, become aware of current options being considered for the future of the URAs, and speak to the types of investment they would like to see in their community. The first event of the series begins February 10th with a “Community Truth-Telling” Town Hall. Community feedback from the series will be presented to the Portland Development Commission’s North/Northeast Economic Development Initiative Community Advisory Committee on March 24th. This series of four events is sponsored by the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods, The Urban League of Portland, and the Portland State University Nohad A. Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning. This project was made possible in part by a grant from Oregon Humanities (OH), a statewide nonprofit organization and an independent affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, which funds OH’s grant program.

Series Details:

Urban Renewal Area Town Hall 1: Community Truth-Telling
Wednesday, February 10, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Place: Billy Webb Elks Lodge, 6 N Tillamook St. Snacks and drinks provided

Panelists will share perspectives on how inner North/Northeast Urban Renewal Areas have historically impacted neighborhoods. Attendees will also be invited to share their own views on the history of Urban Renewal Areas.

Urban Renewal Area Community Forum and Planning Sessions (Two). Both sessions will be the same.

Session One: Saturday, February 20th, 10am – 2pm
Session Two: Tuesday, February 23rd, 6pm – 9pm
Billy Webb Elks Lodge, 6 N Tillamook St. Lunch or dinner provided

Learn the nuts and bolts of Urban Renewal Areas and the choices for the future of the Interstate Corridor and Oregon Convention Center URAs. Participate in work sessions to provide input into the future of the URAs and economic development in inner North and Northeast Portland.

Urban Renewal Area Town Hall 2: Community Recommendations
Thursday, March 11th, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Billy Webb Elks Lodge, 6 N Tillamook St. Snacks and drinks provided

Come hear the URA recommendations generated at the community work sessions. Provide your thoughts and additional recommendations.

RSVPs are encouraged. Contact Shoshana Cohen at the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods forums@necoalition.org or 503-823-4575

Support the Portland Bicycle Plan

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A hearing before City Council to adopt the Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030 has been set for Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 2:00 p.m., time certain. The public is welcome to attend, and to testify if you wish. The Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030 provides a blueprint for making Portland a world-class bicycling city, reducing the causes of climate change, improving public health, promoting prosperity, and building close-knit communities.

VOICE YOUR SUPPORT:
Below are two ways you may express your support for the Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030:

1. The quick and easy way:
Express your support for the six key principles of the plan listed on our web page by just clicking “yes!” on the Portland Bicycle Plan support form!

OR

2. Write a letter to City Council.
Address your letter to “Dear Mayor Adams and members of City Council:”
You can e-mail your letter to bicyclemasterplan@pdxtrans.org
or mail your paper letter to:
Portland City Council
c/o Ellen Vanderslice, Project Manager
Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030
1120 SW 5th Ave, Suite 800
Portland, OR 97204
Either way, we’ll make sure your letter is distributed to the Mayor and Commissioners before the February 4 hearing.
The project team is hard at work putting the finishing touches on the final draft plan. We’ll send you another message when the draft is posted on our website along with our report on the changes made since the public comment draft. For more information, visit the plan website: http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/BicycleMasterPlan