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About The Southwest Portland Post. (Portland, Oregon) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2017)
EarthTalk: Is bicycling the answer to the question about getting to and from mass transit? – Page 8 The Country Store: Deysa, a new retail boutique, opens in Multnomah Village – Page 5 A boatload of local events can be found in our annual Holiday Guide – Page 4 The Southwest Portland Post Volume No. 26 Issue No. 2 www.swportlandpost.com Portland, Oregon Complimentary December 2017 Committee studies alternative light rail routes between Portland and Tigard SOUTHWEST CORRIDOR PLAN By Erik Vidstrand The Southwest Portland Post In November, Southwest Corridor Community Advisory Committee members assessed the future light rail alignment options from downtown Portland to Tigard. Eryn Kehe, Metro senior commu- nications specialist, instructed the audience to meet in small groups to discuss pros and cons of choices for either Southwest Naito Parkway or Barbur Boulevard, rail options from Custer Drive to 60th Avenue, and then choices for Tigard Triangle routes. The Barbur Boulevard route would begin at Southwest Lincoln Street and cross over Interstate 405 on a new light rail bridge. The Naito alignment would start at Lincoln Street and run down the cen- ter of Naito Parkway until it intersects with Barbur Boulevard. The route would then travel along Barbur Boulevard until it reaches the Burlingame Fred Meyer store south of Terwilliger Boulevard. At this point, there is a choice whether the light rail continues to run down Barbur Boule- vard or runs adjacent to Interstate 5. The exercise lasted over 90 min- utes and then each group shared their preferences. Most of the teams supported beginning the line along Barbur Boulevard. This route would provide easier access to the hospi- tals on Marquam Hill. According to TriMet estimates, there would be a shorter ride time getting to Tigard. Participants said it would cause dis- ruption initially but would enhance Barbur Boulevard in the end. “There will be opportunities to in- vest on Barbur,” one participant said. “It’s not just for transit but connectiv- ity to neighborhoods with walkability to jobs and homes.” Roger Averbeck, who represents the Portland Pedestrian Advisory Eryn Kehe, Metro communication specialist, gives instructions to participants at a Southwest Corridor workshop in November. (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand) (Continued on Page 3) Willamette Park improvements include trail system, $18.6 million pump station destination for people from around the metro area. Portland Parks and Recreation has recently completed several major The 27-acre Willamette Park — a improvements, including a new haven for cyclists, boaters, dog lov- entrance. Other amenities include ers and concert goers; has uses that more prominent signage, walls and one would typically see in neighbor- monuments. hood parks: trails, fields, courts and The park bureau plans on having playgrounds. a small event on Earth Day 2018 The riverfront park is also a regional (tentatively set for April 22) to thank the Portland Garden Club for their gener- ous contribution of 31 dogwood trees to the park as part of the project. Willamette Park is the only public mo- torized boat launch in the core of the city, and boaters will appreciate the new dredging around the boat ramp for saf- er launches. Many non-motorized boat users – such as kay- aker and paddle boarders — will also benefit. A new trail system with wider paths re- inforces the loops, which are a noted feature of the park. There’s also an im- proved connection to the new region- al trail which was completed as part of Bicyclists will enjoy a new system of trails at Willamette the recent Sellwood Park. (photo courtesy of Portland Parks and Recreation) Bridge project. By Jack Rubinger The Southwest Portland Post Bike commuters will love the wider lanes on the Willamette Greenway Trail. For years, neighbors were navigating conflicts between park visitors biking for leisure and bike commuters. The solution? There are now sepa- rate paths for both commuting cy- clists and those using park paths on bikes. Dog walkers will appreciate a new dog off-leash area which replaces the old, temporary location, which the park bureau noted drained poorly. The new area has an improved sur- face. Another significant improvement is the Portland Water Bureau’s Hannah Mason Pump Station. “The new Hannah Mason Pump Station supports a citywide goal of re- ducing energy use by 2 percent,” said Mike Stuhr, administrator. “Energy Trust’s assistance allowed the city to make a major contribution to meeting these goals with an investment that will pay for itself in only 3.3 years.” The pump station was under con- struction for three years, beginning in 2014. It went into operation in June of 2017. It receives electricity from Port- land General Electric and draws water primarily from the city’s Washington County supply line. The pump station is the first Water Bureau infrastructure project named after a woman. A philanthropist, land- owner, and widow of Portland Mayor William S. Mason, Hannah Mason owned most of the land on which Willamette Park sits today. “The pump station site was origi- nally suggested by the South Portland Neighborhood Association,” said Ken Love, a former president of the association. The total cost of the pump station is $18.6 million. The pump station project’s funding came from a com- bination of revenue bond sales, water sales revenue, and other construction fund revenues such as system devel- opment charges and interest earnings. This new energy-efficient pump station provides drinking water to (Continued on Page 6) Subscribe to The Post and help us keep the presses rolling! Form on Page 2. The Southwest Portland Post 4207 SE Woodstock Blvd #509 Portland, OR 97206
