It can be tough when a seemingly straightforward project takes much longer to complete than originally expected. We’ve all been there before.

Such is the story for the Namaste Indian restaurant, slated to open this month at 10306 N.E. Halsey St. Originally set to open in the fall of 2015 (“Namaste to Gateway” MCM August 2015), the restaurant’s grand opening was delayed by various permitting challenges with the city. One thing city officials, residents and the owner himself all agree on, however, is that Namaste will bring a much-needed diverse and family-friendly dining option to the neighborhood.

“We are excited, but all the delays from the city of Portland took so long to finish all the requirements,” said Harjinder Chand, owner of the restaurant.

According to Chand, Namaste will feature reasonably priced vegetarian Indian fare, beer and wine, a gift shop and cooking classes taught by the owner’s eldest daughter.

As previously reported in the Memo, the interior, designed by local company Fine Arts Design Incorporated, has an interior design scheme planned to reflect some of the cultures present in the area, including East Indian, Polynesian, Hawaiian Islander, Tibetan and Ethiopian. The company confirmed design plans hadn’t changed in the last year.

Tom Badrick, chairman of the neighborhood association in Parkrose Heights adjacent to where Namaste is located, explained that currently, residents are forced to go outside the neighborhood when they want options beyond bars. Those with children, particularly, are always looking for more options. “Namaste would be a welcome breath of fresh air for bringing new types of food to this area,” said Badrick.

Namaste’s opening delays were centered on permitting difficulties with the sidewalks and the alleyway behind the new restaurant. Because the property is within a pedestrian district, renovations are required to have 12-foot sidewalks, among other improvements. Currently there is no sidewalk on the portion of Northeast 103rd Avenue next to Namaste.

During the permitting process, Namaste was originally expected to pay these costs, but the improvements were shifted onto the Portland Development Commission and Portland Bureau of Transportation as part of the Streetscape Improvement project, paid for by the Gateway Regional Center Urban Renewal area.

The result has Gateway residents getting an improved street behind Namaste for one block: Northeast 103rd Avenue between Northeast Halsey and Clackamas streets.

PBOT spokesman Dylan Rivera described the changes to the Memo (“Renovations slowed by transportation improvements” MCM October 2015): “From Northeast Halsey to the alley, the roadway will be narrowed and Northeast 103rd Avenue [will become] one-way north from the alley to Halsey Street.” New, wider sidewalks will be built. New street lighting and street trees will also be added.

Rivera also explained the changes north of the alley: “From the alley to Northeast Clackamas Street, the existing road width will be maintained. We plan to build a sidewalk with curbs, paving, and provide for two-way vehicle traffic.” “From the alley to Northeast Clackamas Street, the existing road width will be maintained. We plan to build a sidewalk with curbs, paving, and provide for two-way vehicle traffic.”

Construction of the streetscape project will begin in summer 2017, after the restaurant’s opening, to be completed in the first half of 2018.

An official grand opening date was not available by press time, but look for Namaste to open in September.