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EarthTalk: Wild salmon is one of the healthiest foods we can eat Food Front brings in national advisors to bolster business – Page 7 Restaurant Review: Gigi’s makes the jump from food cart to cafe – Page 8 – Page 4 The Southwest Portland Post Volume No. 23 Issue No. 4 NO PARKING www.swportlandpost.com Are parking problems in Multnomah Village real or perceived? for accessibility, especially disabled, injured, and elderly citizens. Many individuals have weighed in over the years on issues of the Picture this scenario: parking meters c o m m u n i t y. T h e r e h a v e b e e n line the main streets of Multnomah workshops on transportation needs; Village; parking enforcement officers forums on livability; meetings with walk around daily with handheld politicians; and engaging citizens; and devices issuing tickets as needed; less an abundance of media coverage. and less parking spots are found due “Here’s the thing,” declared a very to infill, traffic calming, and additional long-time business owner who wanted bio-swales. to remain nameless. “Believe it or not, Business owners and visitors say the there is a problem with parking which above scenario is plausible in the not- creates a domino effect which grates the too-distant future. Of course anything nerves of visitors, frustrates business is possible when it comes to involving owners, and produces a stress factor the city, especially the issues that are that, quite frankly, wasn’t there not deep-rooted in passion and frustration. that long ago.” So is the parking problem in this According to this owner, the city is 100-year-old village real or perceived? partially to blame for the problem. On one hand, there are the folks who Tamara Marshall, co-owner of support road diets – narrowing of roads Fusion Hair Salon, reported a recent to slow traffic and reduce accidents – parking issue on the Multnomah increased bicycling; accessible, frequent Village Facebook page and it resulted public transportation; and encouraging in over 100 comments. walking. “It exasperates me,” her thread On the other hand, there are the began, “that my clients are circling the folks who need access to parking block for more than 15 minutes looking for parking.” “Once parked, they usually have to move their car before the two-hour time limit so no one stays to shop.” She relayed that customers feel frustrated because they were told by the city that they need to move their car away from their original parking space since they may get ticketed for just moving a few feet away. Some comments state that people are spoiled. They don’t want to walk any longer than three minutes. “Not everyone can Temporary parking signs placed by gas company NW commute any way Natural are ignored. This photo was taken during but by car,” Marshall working hours along Capitol Highway near 34th Avenue. responded. “What By Erik Vidstrand The Southwest Portland Post Portland, Oregon Complimentary February 2015 about the elderly, the disabled, even people who may be injured? I have clients as far away as Ashland. What do you tell them?” Joe Theissen, one of the writers on the Multnomah Village Facebook page wrote, “I’ll take more sidewalks over more parking lots any time. “I’m a lifelong ‘97219- er’… and I’ve had to deal with parking in the Village for years. I firmly believe that moving toward more parking is moving away from what the Village is all about. “But honestly, I care more about preserving the Village than the 21st century expectations of convenience.” Cash Gordon, the manager of O’Connor’s Tamara Marshall is co-owner of Fusion Hair Salon in Restaurant and Bar, Multnomah Village. Marshall said her customers are forced to claims that parking move their cars out of the area after two hours or face parking problems are hurting tickets. (Post photo by Don Snedecor) business. the road and sidewalk construction “Our business has been down. I projects began over three years ago. feel this is mainly due to the parking “I’ve spoken to Moses Ross (former issues. If people can’t easily park, chair of the Multnomah Neighborhood they say, ‘the hell with it’ and go Association),” Gordon continued. “He somewhere else [to eat or drink].” prefers a political solution.” Gordon walks the village at least There were other solutions suggested twice a week scoping out the parking including the Post’s editor, Don situation. He notes that the lower lot Snedecor. at the Multnomah Center is usually “Except for loading and unloading,” full. According to the city, who runs Snedecor commented, “business the center, it’s filled with employees owners, managers, and employees and students. should always long-term park at the Nevertheless, on the Sunday before Multnomah Center, lower lot, if they Christmas, one of the busiest shopping are able to. days of the year, this reporter counted “The Multnomah Village Business 36 empty parking spots in the lower Association,” he continued, “should lot while parking and traffic chaos survey surrounding properties for prevailed in the heart of the village. vacant lots, church lots, etc. that could Gordon remarked that 33 parking be used for overflow parking and then spots have disappeared on Multnomah Boulevard and Capitol Highway since (Continued on Page 6) (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand) Don’t forget to renew your subscription. Form on Page 2. The Southwest Portland Post 4207 SE Woodstock Blvd #509 Portland, OR 97206 A parking enforcement officer gives a ticket to a car parked illegally along Capitol Highway next to the Multnomah Center. (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand)