Concept: 21st Ave. Corridor

The 7 Corners Urban Design Strategy identified three options for transforming the 7 Corners intersection. However, the community discussion did not result in a clear preference and raised a number of questions and issues that are best addressed in the context of the larger Division Streetscape and Reconstruction Project. Therefore, the final report captures the ideas, issues, opportunities and challenges that were identified through this process and is intended to be a launching point for the streetscape design project.

The Division Streetscape and Street Reconstruction Project Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) is currently working with the City on streetscape design alternatives for Division Street from SE 11th to 39th Avenue (which includes the Seven Corners intersection). A public open house will be held in June to allow the community to review the design alternatives and provide feedback. Stay tuned for additional information regarding the June open house. The Division Streetscape Project website is: http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=41107

For questions regarding the Division Streetscape and Street Reconstruction Project, please contact Elizabeth Mahon with the Bureau of Transportation (503-823-0396, elizabeth.mahon@pdxtrans.org)

pedestrian crossing improvements
bicycle parking
transit amenities such as curb extensions, benches and shelters
green street solutions such as porous pavement, storm water mitigation and street trees
pedestrian-scale street amenities such as lighting, kiosks, benches and public art
signal enhancements to increase safety for motorists and pedestrians and to improve signal communications for transit priority technology and
opportunities for creating a sense of place that supports the mixed-use, multi-modal character of the neighborhood.

Guiding the the Division Streetscape and Reconstruction Project will be the Divison Green Street/Main Street Plan adopted by City Council in 2006. Developed by a coalition of citizens, businesses, City of Portland Staff (many areas represented) and many others, it focuses on the area between SE 11th and SE 60th. The plan contains goals, objectives and implementation strategies to create a pedstrian-friendly commercial district that reflects and reinforces community values, including a focus on sustainable and ‘green’ development. This project is also coordinating with The City of Portland’s Tabor to the River Brooklyn Creek Basin Program for sewer, green stormwater and watershed health improvements.

While much input has been gathered, now we are moving into the decisionmaking mode of what actual improvements will be made to our public right-of-way on Division. We need lots of community input to ensure that the improvements are valuable, effective and worthwhile. Some of you may be aware that community input was already solicited last summer regarding the Seven Corners Intersection. (You can now download the results of the that input: the 7 Corners Urban Design report here: http://www.portland online.com/ planning/ index.cfm? c=48623).

The CAC meets monthly through November and expects to present it’s recommendation to City Council in December 2009.

*** 7 Corners design project details and report are being completed by Stuart Emmons and the Planning Bureau and should be available for review shortly. While there were limitations as to what could creatively happen at the Ladd Ave corner because of historic preservation issues and other concerns, there were some great ideas that have been captured in the summary and will help inform the design of the overall street as well as 7 Corners. Which leads to…

*** Proposals are currently being reviewed from design firms for the Division Streetscape and Reconstruction Project. The winning firm will oversee the design and citizen involvement portions of the project. The consultant(s) should be in place by the end of this month and ready for the first Citizens Advisory Group meetings starting in April …

***A Citizens Working Group and Technical Advisory Group are currently being put together with Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT). Membership on these groups should be confirmed this month with the first of monthly meetings beginning within a few weeks. This will be the group that oversees the Design and talks through the pro-time lane decision etc. Anyone is welcome to come to these meetings while remembering that committee members are the only ones who vote…

*** Pro-time lanes and other roadway issues are being studied by Kittleson traffic engineers. They have concluded the first part of their study, and it indicates traffic flows are down a bit. Their report on existing conditions will lay the groundwork for all future discussions on roadwork and streetscape etc.

*** Funding for the project continues to evolve. According to PBOT the combined funding sources for the project (General Transportation Revenue and the 2004 MTIP award) total $5.8 million. Paving estimates (as of the end of 2008) total $8.2 million. Costs for the streetscape will be established once the conceptual streetscape design has been identified. Total budget is projected at $9 million. We did not get the additional funds requested through Metro so that leaves a deficit. However, some of the material costs for this project have gone down recently with the overall economic slump. There is no way to know if that will continue to be the case, but it is hopeful, since cost escalation has been one of the stumbling blocks to moving this project forward in satisfying way. The other good news is there is a chance that we can coordinate some of the work to happen on Division with the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) Tabor to the River (Taggart D) Project. BES and transportation are working to align their design and construction schedules and BES will be on hand to answer questions at upcoming CWG and Community Meetings.

*** There is a small case study going on around the Urban Development Partners multiuse project scheduled for 38th and Division. The goal of the study is to try and learn from the relationships between the Division Street Plan, place, neighborhood association, business association and local neighbors. Learnings from reflecting on both the process and the design may help inform some of the work to come along the Division Street.

*** We are continuing to be strong advocates with PBOT and other agency stakeholders to ensure that the next phase of the project will embody the collaborative approach we have been modeling since the start of this vision 7 years ago. We have been promised that regular updates and communications will be coming from PBOT on this project. In the meantime, while we look forward to that happening, after a couple months of delays, we want to pick up responsibility for providing this update so we can all have a better sense of what is going on and where you can get involved or provide input.

Cheers,
Charles and Linda

This is a competitive process so IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT YOU LET METRO KNOW THAT SECURING ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR DIVISION STREET IS IMPORTANT TO YOU AND THE LARGER COMMUNITY. THE DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS IS NOON on Monday, DEC 1st. Even a very brief message of support would be very helpful!

Please share this message with others who may be interested. Talking points are below.
Additional info here (click to see .pdf file).

To submit comments online, go to:
http://www.oregonmetro.gov/index.cfm/go/by.web/id/28702/section=detail&project_id=1299&include_content=false

Note: You have to scroll down to view the online comment section.
You can fax written comments to 503-797-1930 or mail them to: Metro Regional flexible fund, 600 NE Grand Ave., Portland, OR 97232