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Periodic update begins on Regional Transportation Plan
Metro is beginning a periodic update of the Regional Transportation Plan, or RTP in order to maintain continued compliance with the Federal Clean Air Act and state guidelines. A 2004 RTP and 2004-07 Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program air quality analysis will be included.
The plan is updated every three years to ensure that the plan addresses future travel needs. The current update will focus on projects for roads and freight movement, bicycling, transit and walking that have already been adopted in local and regional plans and corridor studies through a public process.
Public comment will be taken Oct. 31 through Dec. 4. The staff recommendation on the technical draft of the plan and the air quality analysis will be available for public review on Oct. 31.
Comments will be taken at a Thursday, Dec. 4, Metro Council meeting. The meeting begins at 2 p.m. at Metro Regional Center, 600 N.E. Grand Ave. The Metro Council is scheduled to take action on the RTP update on Thursday, Dec. 11 (tentative). For more information, visit www.metro-region.org or call 503-797-1839.
Area bus service doubled
TriMet announces fall bus route changes and schedule adjustments to begin Sunday, October 5, and will include the addition of another Frequent Service route –
Line 4-Division joins 14 other TriMet bus lines offering Frequent Service (15 minutes or better, every day). All trips on the line will be extended to Gresham Transit Center, doubling Mid-County non-rush hour service from 30 minutes to every 15 minutes. Sunday service is improved to every 15 minutes between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., from its present 15-30 minute schedule. TriMet improved the line’s efficiency and reduced travel time through streamlining the route. TriMet relocated or consolidated sixteen Mid-County bus stops to improve visibility and safety, and provide better access to surrounding neighborhoods. TriMet also improved accessible boarding areas at seven bus stops along the route.
Traffic signal priority was added within the City of Portland at twenty-six traffic signals to give buses that are behind schedule a few more seconds to get through green lights. Schedule information is being added to all stops along with new bus stop signs and poles that distinguish the route as a Frequent Service line. Over 11,000 residents are within walking distance of the improved service. Route and schedule changes will be made to many bus lines to improve connections and service efficiency, among the changes:
Line 87-Airport Way/181st Ave: The route between Parkrose/Sumner and Rockwood transit centers will remain the same. To better match ridership, the first trip from Rockwood will depart at 5:30 a.m.
Line 86-Alderwood will provide weekday rush-hour service west of Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center. The first trip from Parkrose will be at 6:30 a.m.
Information on all TriMet lines is available at trimet.org, by calling 503-238-RIDE weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and at TriMet outlets, including the TriMet’s office at Pioneer Courthouse Square; Fred Meyer, Safeway and most Albertsons stores.
TriMet’s Rider’s Guide & Map is also available for $3.50 at TriMet’s Pioneer Courthouse Square office.
Cherrywood Village skybridge denied again
Last month, the Portland Design Commission denied for the second time, a request by the Cherrywood Village Retirement Community to build a “skybridge” between two of their buildings on Southeast Clay Street.
At a previous hearing last year the Design Commission said it would go against city policy to build a private bridge across a public street. Commission members suggested that Cherrywood Village management investigate alternatives such as an underground tunnel, a ground-level covered walkway, or a street vacation.
At last month’s hearing, Cherrywood Village management representatives said that they had decided the alternatives and that none met the “safety needs” of their residents. They also argued that Cherrywood residents ARE the public in this case, and that they have access to the bridge.
Design Commission members noted that Cherrywood Village management had nothing in writing to support its claims, and that they seemed to be going through the motions in order to appeal to the Portland City Council.
Design Commission member Jeffrey Stuhr said, “It looks like you didn’t want to invest the time for us; that you want to go on to the next step.”
Banfield investigates headquarters at Glenhaven
While Vocational Village High School, the former Glenhaven School at 8020 Northeast Tillamook Street, deals with the Portland School District’s decision to move them from their current site, Banfield Pet Hospitals has quietly pursued purchase of the property. Banfield Pet Hospitals currently operates a hospital, dog kennel and grooming business across the street from Vocational Village High School.
At its August 25 meeting the school board voted to declare the former Glenhaven School property surplus. As this issue went to press, the former Meek School had emerged as probably the new location for the alternative High School. Banfield representatives have attended the hearings, but have not testified at them.
Kelly Orfield, Banfield’s senior director of operations, told the MEMO that the international veterinary corporation has made a purchase offer to the Real Estate Investment Trust, which carries out financial transaction for the district. The offer specifies that the district must find a “viable new location” for Vocational Village.
The company plans to build a 120,000 square foot corporate headquarters on the site, with a two-acre fenced, off-leash dog park available for free public use. The plans also call for underground parking, a feature that will add $1 million to development costs.
Most of the property is zoned for residential use, thus requiring Banfield to secure a Comprehensive Plan map amendment. Orfield says that representatives have had a pre-application conference with city officials. “We will have work to do on this project,” Orfield says. “It won’t be straightforward or easy, but we feel there are viable options.”
Share with your community
Snow-CAP is the church-community action program of the Greater Portland Council of Churches located at 17805 S.E. Stark St. In addition to providing emergency food, SnowCap also makes school supplies and clothing available to those in need. They can use your help and are seeking volunteers to make food boxes on Sunday and Monday, December 19 and 20 for distribution on December 22. They can also use drivers to help deliver Food 2 You boxes to low income seniors on the last Tuesday of each month. Their Clothes Closet has room for additional volunteers on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help children find the clothes they need. The warehouse is in need of workers to greet donors and there is a work party the last Tuesday of each month.
For more information and to offer your time, call Danni Mooney at 503-674-8785 ext. 19.
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