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About The Southwest Portland Post. (Portland, Oregon) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2008)
2 • The Southwest Portland Post March 2008 NEwS City proposes new Interstate 5 access ramps NEwS bRIEfS By Lee Perlman The Southwest Portland Post The city is looking at new access ramps to the South Waterfront and Ross Island Bridge, transportation planner Jody Yates told the South Portland Neighborhood Association last month. At present northbound traffic ex- iting the Interstate 5 freeway onto Southwest Macadam Avenue must weave across traffic already on the street in order to gain access to the South Waterfront to the east. Those seeking to get onto the bridge must pursue a convoluted path that in- volves crossing the freeway, revers- ing direction, and traveling through part of residential South Portland. Yates cautioned, “The reality is that the roads will continue to get more congested.” If nothing at all is done, with the South Waterfront growing and more vehicles using this part of Macadam, the city estimates that the street will reach a traffic level of “failure” by the year 2015. The Portland Office of Transporta- tion (PDOT) is proposing a “fly-over” ramp that would connect directly to the bridge. A second option would allow exiting traffic to cut under Macadam and enter it in the east lane, still leaving the journey to the bridge tortuous but making it safer. Either option would cost an estimated $40 million. So far PDOT has secured a pledge of $7 million from city Systems De- velopment Charge funds, $3 million from the city general fund, $2.367 million in “earmarks” from federal transportation appropriations and $1 million from North Macadam District Urban Renewal funds. South Portland board member Con- nie Crookham said, “I use that road all the time, and the flyover makes the most sense to me.” Design Commission approves Shriner’s Hospital addition At its third hearing on the mat- ter last month, the Portland Design Commission approved the design for a three-story, 66,000 square foot addition to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children that will extend over its existing parking garage. The design team met earlier Commission con- cerns by providing for a new, more prominent entrance reached by a wider sidewalk with new street trees. There will be a 2,000 square foot lawn assigned to this building, part of a larger open space separating it from Oregon Health and Sciences University’s Biomedical Research Building. Commission member Gwen Mil- lius liked the lawn especially. “These open spaces often surprise us with how much they’re used by children,” she said. “I appreciate how you re- worked the entrance. There’s a value to it for people who come by bus, foot or tram.” The one concern the Commission retained was a tentative plan by the hospital to add more stories in the fu- ture. Commission member Tim Eddy called this a “potential issue,” but added, “A lot can happen between now and then, and this is potentially a good base.” He called the design “quiet and understated.” Commission chair Lloyd Lindley apologized to the design team for the lengthy review process. “We hold the Shriner’s Hospital in the highest regard,” he said. “Our criticism was not meant in any way to reflect on your mission or what you do.” Southwest ped/bike open houses scheduled Two of the three Halo L.I.D. proj- ects will have public open houses this month for the public to con- sider plans. The project on South- west Hamilton Street between 39 th Avenue and Scholls Ferry Road can When you choose to spend your dollars with locally owned, independent businesses: 7825 SW 36th Ave Suite #203 Portland, OR 97219 Phone: (503) 244-6933; Fax: (866) 727-5336 general email: news@multnomahpost.com web address: www.multnomahpost.com Editor & Publisher: Don Snedecor Reporters/Writers: Mark Ellis, Polina Olsen, Lee Perlman, Don Snedecor Retail Advertising Manager: Harry Blythe Graphic Design: Leslie Baird Design Printing: Oregon Lithoprint © 2008 by The Southwest Portland Post. All rights reserved. The opinions of the artists and authors contained herein are not necessarily shared by the publisher. Deadline for news and advertising is generally the 15th of the month prior to publication. Please call for current deadline information. Advertising rates are available upon request. The Post has a circulation of 10,000 in Multnomah Village and the surrounding neighborhood business districts including Burlingame, Capitol Hill, Garden Home, Glen Cullen, Hillsdale, South Portland, Raleigh Hills, West Portland and Vermont Hills. The Post is published on or about the 1st of every month. Subscriptions are $24 per year. Back issues are $2.50 each when available. All major credit cards accepted. The Post is printed on recycled newsprint using soy-based inks. Advertise in the April edition of The Post! Call Harry at 503-244-4442 Help Wanted The Post is seeking freelance writers to cover neighborhood news, politics and culture. • Up to 3 times more money re-circulates in our local economy. • More local jobs are maintained and created. • The character of our neighborhoods is enhanced and preserved. • You are making a REAL difference in the quality of life of our community. www.sbnportland.org be viewed, discussed and reacted to at Bridlemile School on March 4. The open house for Southwest 35 th Avenue between Arnold and Steven- son streets will be at Jackson Middle School on March 6. Both sessions will be from 7 to 9 p.m. The date for an open house for the third project, on Southwest Vermont Street between 30 th and 37 th avenues, and 45 th and 65 th avenues, was not available at press time. The projects will add pedestrian and bicycle facilities to these streets. They will be paid for through Local Improvement Districts, assessments to nearby property owners. Unlike conventional LIDs, the Halo assess- ments will be spread over a wider than normal area, assessing more property owners but charging each one less. Experience required. Bonus points for photography. Beats include arts, schools, parks, crime prevention, land use, transportation, neighborhoods. Please mail or e-mail resume, cover letter with specific interest, and three published clips to: Don Snedecor Editor and Publisher The Southwest Portland Post 7825 SW 36th Ave Suite #203 Portland, OR 97219 don@multnomahpost.com March Special $24.00 $14 $34.00 $24 $44.00 $34 7650 SW SW Capitol Hwy., Portland 7825 36th Ave #203, Portland 97219 97219