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About The Southwest Portland Post. (Portland, Oregon) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2017)
Agatha’s Christie’s “Murder on the Nile” is playing this month at the Lakewood Theater. – Page 5 Riverdale High School senior is politically active – Page 8 Southwest was hit by two snowstorms in December—See “Snapshots” on Page 7 The Southwest Portland Post Volume No. 25 Issue No. 3 www.swportlandpost.com Portland, Oregon Complimentary January 2017 Multnomah subcommittee considers traffic calming in upcoming project CAPITOL HIGHWAY PLAN By Erik Vidstrand The Southwest Portland Post A large Multnomah subcommittee drew nearly 40 people at the end of November to consider a set of improvements for the “Garden Home” section of Southwest Capitol Highway. This one-mile stretch extends from Garden Home Road south to Barbur Boulevard. “The city is poised to spend $19 million on the improvements,” chair Chris Lyons said as he opened the meeting. “This seems way too much money. We are trying to bring costs down to $10-12 million so it’s not such a wide thoroughfare.” Marianne Fitzgerald of Ashcreek said she has been working on the road’s redevelopment since 1991. Some people in the room said they have been working to improve conditions since the 1950s. Many in the room feared that the city would not listen to their concerns as with other issues regarding Multnomah Village and the surrounding neighborhoods. One such fear is spending too much money on improvements to make this section of Capitol Highway a thoroughfare like Multnomah Boulevard or Oleson Road. “Tonight’s purpose,” Lyons explained, “is to submit comments with consensus to both the Bureaus of Transportation and Environmental Services for the highway improvements.” “How will this project affect my property?” one attendee inquired. “There are so many issues like right-of-way and property boundary lines, hedges, and retaining walls. “The city took 14 feet back in the Fifties,” he remarked. “They can’t keep taking more land.” There were additional questions at the meeting about property lines and surveying. Some 40 people turned out for the Multnomah Neighborhood Association’s Capitol Highway subcommittee “I have confirmed that meeting in November. (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand) PBOT will have a survey Bill Beebe has lived along Capitol crew coming out probably in January,” Some of the main recommendations at Highway for 49 years in a house more Lyons assured everyone, “but mainly the meeting were placing a sidewalk on than 100 years old. Beebe, like his to survey areas that have changed since the east side only from the Multnomah neighbors, is concerned about specific 2008. Village viaduct to Barbur Boulevard, things, especially people living along “If at that point the crews find that extending the proposed multi-use path the highway. the old and new data are not lining for the entire west side length of the “There are five adults living in my up,” Lyons continued, “they would do mile-long highway, and creating bike home,” Beebe said. “We like to entertain a more complete survey of the corridor, lanes in both directions. and many are elderly who come to visit. which may result in more property “This will also help to reduce the Where will they park.” corners being marked.” (Continued on Page 3) Plans for new 100-foot multiuse building include Comcast, Natural Grocers THE COUNTRY STORE By Erik Vidstrand The Southwest Portland Post In Multnomah Village, construction continues on a new building at the corner of Southwest 33rd Avenue and Capitol Highway, across from the Multnomah Arts Center. The project consists of a four-story, 77,000 square foot apartment complex with 72 units, common space amenities, 5,600 square feet of ground floor retail, and underground parking. Neighborhood residents who have been fighting the project are not content with the size and scope of the building as well as the lack of enough parking. The Multnomah Village Business Association remains neutral on the development. Matthew Lawton of Sexton Lawton Architecture in Denver, Col., proposes to construct a building at the current l o c a t i o n o f t h e G o l d e n To u c h Restaurant (8142 SW Barbur Blvd.) with approximately 45,000 square feet of commercial space, 223 dwelling units, and 452 parking spaces. Portland Typewriters relocated farther south on Barbur Boulevard some time ago and efforts are underway to vacate a portion of Southwest Falcon Street. According to city permits, the project has been granted a zoning variance of building height of 101 feet from an original height limit of 45 feet. Matt Wickstrom, a senior city planner with the Bureau of Development Services, said that the project will include a Natural Grocers supermarket. “A Comcast facility is being incorporated into the project,” Wickstrom told The Post. “The media company may move from its current location into the middle of the site.” Last year, the Hillsdale Neighborhood Association responded to the city regarding the permits. A spokesperson for the neighborhood stated that the proposed development overall represents the type of a vibrant residential and commercial project that is well designed. “It meets current and future zoning and building codes. That will benefit the long term pedestrian, bike, and public transportation user needs of the community,” the spokesperson said. The Hillsdale response also includes suggestions regarding right-of-way improvements, utilities, electric car charging stations, drinking fountains, dog areas, roof gardens, accessibility improvements, and affordable housing. The association is also in agreement with the proposed new height. Don’t forget to renew your subscription. Form on Page 2. The Southwest Portland Post 4207 SE Woodstock Blvd #509 Portland, OR 97206 An architectural rendering of the proposed mixed use building as seen from Southwest Barbur Boulevard and Evans Street. (Rendering provided by Sexton Lawton Architecture)