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About The Southwest Portland Post. (Portland, Oregon) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2013)
Happy Independence Day! INSIDE: Celebrating 20 years of continuous Southwest news coverage! Volume No. 21, Issue No. 9 www.swportlandpost.com Portland, Oregon Neighborhood coalition honors volunteers at Multnomah Arts Center ceremony – Page 4 Complimentary July 2013 Multnomah Village Greenstreet Project now scheduled for completion July 22 By Erik Vidstrand The Southwest Portland Post ”Hanging in there“ seemed to be the most common response from many of the Multnomah Village merchants when asked by The Post how they were doing with the ongoing street and sidewalk improvements and tree plantings, aka the Multnomah Village Green- street Project. “The end is near,” exclaimed Michele Cassinelli, owner of Vil- lage Beads and co-chair of the Multnomah Village Business As- sociation. Kathleen Zorn, the owner of Medley, said that this is the first year of her business and can’t compare her business to previous years. “A group used to come in regularly but haven’t seen them in a while,” Zorn affirmed. She’s hoping they come back. Alisha, from Topanien, is look- ing forward to the pedestrian friendly sidewalks and shade trees. According to Joe Annett, the Bureau of Environmental Services project community outreach spe- cialist, the contractors are wrap- ping up the week of July 22; just a few weeks before the annual Multnomah Days festival and pa- rade. For residents and shopkeepers, contractors and visitors, the green street transformation has been a long time coming. For many, the biggest issue has been parking. Construction workers have been asked to park on the south side of Multnomah Boulevard. Employees have been instructed to park away from the prime spots or take public transportation. (TriMet bus lines #44 and #45 have several stops in the village.) “Parking is always going to be an issue anywhere,” Cassinelli explained. “There is parking under the viaduct, at Key Bank on week- ends and after bank hours, and at the lower lot of the arts center.” Construction begins on Multnomah Arts Center parking lot To add to the mix, construction has begun at the Multnomah Arts Center parking lot. “City contractors couldn’t wait,” stated Randy Bonella, of the Multnomah Business Association. “Work has begun and is proceeding smoothly.” The storm water design will col- lect rain runoff allowing pollutants to settle before the water enters Tryon Creek. According to BES spokesman Linc Mann, the park- ing lot remodel shouldn’t affect the main are of the street construction. “A few parking spots will be temporarily closed near 34 th and Moss due to pipe installation,” Mann said. “The entire project will completed by the end of August.” Back to the green street project, some were concerned about the lack of electrical hookups to each of the trees. “There isn’t an issue,” retorted Annett. “It wasn’t in the budget; simple as that.” Some would beg to differ. Jill City contractors taking advantage of a dry day in June to pave one of the new sidewalks in the village. (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand) Crecraft of Sip D’Vine put a conduit in, followed all the city regula- tions, got the proper permits but still had flack from the city. “It’s always something,” said long-time resident Stu Ellis. “I grew up in the village and have seen many changes.” He didn’t seem to mind the in- convenience as he and his daugh- ter slurped down frozen yogurts. Merchants are hoping that with the upcoming warmer and dryer weather coming, customers will come out in droves. “Hard Hat Wednesdays”, “First Friday” and weekend specials are times de- voted to making it easier on the visitor. “Hanging in there,” the Annie Blooms Books’ manager said. “The visual is worse than it appears.” They’ll be open every day even as the construction moves to the south side of the street. And with that Molly Bloom, the bookstore’s cat, stretched and went back to sleep. For information on the Multnomah Village Greenstreet Project, please contact Joe Annett, at 503-823-2934. For information on the Multnomah Arts Center parking lot project, please contact Linc Mann, at 503-823-5328. Don’t forget to renew your subscription. Form on Page 2. The Southwest Portland Post 4207 SE Woodstock Blvd #509 Portland, OR 97206 A city contractor works on the new bioswale at Southwest 36th and Capitol Highway in front of ZoomCare. (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand)