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About The Southwest Portland Post. (Portland, Oregon) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2011)
May 2011 NEWS The Southwest Portland Post • 3 Controversial Portland to Lake Oswego streetcar route passed by both city councils By Lee Perlman The Southwest Portland Post After hours of debate as to whether they should jointly build a new $458 million streetcar line, divided Portland and Lake Oswego city councils gave a less than resounding “maybe.” The seven-member Lake Oswego council heard from more than 90 citizens in a hearing lasting more than three hours, and a week later held a de- bate among themselves lasting almost as long, before voting four to three to approve their share of a $470,000 feasi- bility study for the proposed line. The next day the Portland Council heard from more than 20 citizens (in- cluding several Lake Oswego Council- ors and residents) before approving the study by a four to one vote. Even its proponents agree that the proposed line is an unusual streetcar project. Typically, such vehicles are “circulators” that help people navigate dense urban neighborhoods, traveling at an average speed of five miles per hour. The proposed line would be a re- gional facility traveling between cities through the unincorporated, wealthy and ultra-low density Dunthorpe com- munity. It would travel on the Willa- mette Shore right of way, an abandoned rail line purchased jointly by several governing bodies for $2 million in 1988. Between the route’s few Dunthorpe stations, unimpeded by other traffic, the streetcar could reach a speed of 55 miles per hour. Although the right of way is one of the main selling points of the project, the proposed route would depart from it through part of South Portland, traveling for about a half-mile along Southwest Macadam Avenue. This is in response to area residents and businesses, who argue that here a Macadam route will have less adverse effect on existing housing, and more catalytic encouragement toward devel- opment, than Willamette Shore. As with other streetcar projects, it is PoSt ClaSSIfIED aDS Landscaping Lawn Mowing $20 city lots. Mowing, trimming, gardening, light hauling. 20 years experience. 503-756-5801. Purchase a Classified Ad! Print Only is $32 per column inch (up to 15 words per inch) Includes design! Print and On- line are $64 per column inch. Frequency discounts are avail- able. Online Text Only is $2 per word (15 word minimum). E-mail (preferred): ads@multnomahpost.com Online Form: www.multnomahpost.com Phone: 503-244-6933 Massage Mother’s Day Special Three One-Hour Massages for $140.00 Healing Touch Massage Dorothy Cundall, LMT, CNA, MA; LIC #5316 Energyhealing•reiki•therapeuticmassages •reflexology•pranichealing•carefacilities HolidaySpecials•GiftCertificates•Visa&Mastercard 3836-B SW Hall Blvd 503-740-3670 or 503-629-5187 The Portland Streetcar stops near Portland State University. (May 2007 photo courtesy Wikipedia) considered to be as much of a develop- ment tool as a transit mode. Supporters say that past projects have produced far more development, at greater density, along streetcar routes than other parts of the same neighborhoods. In this case, project staff claims that new development near the line in South Waterfront has the potential to bring in as much as $7 million a year in new property taxes, and more than $5 mil- lion in System Development Charges. As to the expense, proponents say that $80 million of this represents the current value of the right of way. They hope to get the Federal Transit Administration to pay for 60 percent of the cost, and to use the right of way value as part of the local match, bring- ing Portland’s share of the cost down to just $30 million in cash. In Lake Oswego, streetcar supporters say that the route is the missing ingredi- ent to make the projected Foothills high- density development work. Many op- ponents believe this to be the case, and are against the project for this reason. Nor are the suburbanites alone. Last month the South Portland Neighbor- hood Association board gave a divided, and half-hearted, vote of support to the project. One of those who voted against it, Jim Gardner, said he feared the project would be an impetus to increase the zoning density in the Johns Landing area. “Johns Landing could become another South Waterfront, with 325- foot towers blocking views and more traffic,” he said. At Lake Oswego opponents ques- tioned many aspects of the project, including its costs. Project manager (Continued on Page 7)