Northwest District Association Newsletter
March 2012 Edition
As spring approaches, the neighborhood becomes busier with activities and events. Attendance at Second and Third Saturday neighborhood cleanups picks up as the weather improves. Please join us.
The Timbers first regular season match is Monday, March 12, at 6:30 pm. Since the NW Parking Plan is not yet in place, Zone L parking rules are in place as they were last season. After experimenting late last season, stadium seating capacity was increased from 18,627 to 20,323 this year. The event will be televised on ESPN2. Some pre-game, in-stadium fireworks are planned. Plan accordingly for increased traffic and parking challenges on game day.
The following evening, Tuesday, March 13, from 6-8 pm, in the Legacy Good Samaritan auditorium, Con-way will present an overview of its NW Masterplan for their properties in the Slabtown area of the neighborhood. Members of the NWDA Planning Committee have actively participated in the development of the plan, which is currently in draft form. The NWDA Board has approved some key elements of the plan, including a mixed-use development that includes a 30,000 sq. ft. grocery store. Work continues on an open space plan that is supported by Con-way, Portland Parks & Recreation Department, and the NWDA. Now is the time to learn more about the project and share your perspective before the plan is formally submitted to the Portland Design Commission for approval this spring.
For those interested in the history of Slabtown, on Monday, March 19, 6 pm at the Mission Theater, there will be a Slabtown History Presentation and Group Portrait by Mike Ryerson and Tim Hills. Unfortunately, the presentation conflicts with the NWDA March Board meeting, which is also scheduled for 6 pm at Legacy Good Samaritan, Building 2 Second Floor Conference Room, 1040 NW 22nd Avenue. I'm hoping we can make arrangements for a second showing of the Slabtown presentation sometime in the near future.
We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event in the neighborhood.
Sincerely,
Ron Walters
Transportation Committee
The Transportation Committee continues to track TriMet's Challenges and Choices budget discussion. The NWDA Board approved a second letter to TriMet commenting on three considered fare structure changes, including the elimination of zone fares, as a flat fare would tend to increase the cost of the short trip that is characteristic for most Northwest District residents. TriMet has provided some feedback on the conceptual service changes, with a proposed revision providing off-peak (except Sunday) bus service on Line 16 along Naito Parkway to Linnton and St Johns. A suggestion to route that service along NW 18th/19 will have to be considered for a future service revision. Northwest Industrial District employers, particularly Gunderson, are particularly unhappy with the loss of service coverage. Comments can still be provided to TriMet at: http://trimet.org/mailforms/budgetproposal.
Resolution of the Line 15 bus layover arrangement that will place a 4-way stop at NW 27th/Thurman and potentially move the westbound bus layover to the far side of the NW 28th and Thurman intersection has been partially implemented with the installation of a new 4-way stop at NW 27th/Thurman.
The Transportation Committee has also been meeting with the City and the MLC School PTA on potential further crosswalk improvements at NW 20th/Glisan. The group is proposing curb extensions to calm traffic, improve visibility and reduce the crossing distance. Paying for this improvement will be a challenge. The NWDA is preparing a draft project proposal.
The transportation engineering consultant for Conway, Inc. has released their traffic impact analysis for the master planning of the Conway properties. The NWDA has provided comment on that analysis with some concern for the sensitivity of the NW 23rd/Vaughn intersection to any increases in traffic. The analysis and NWDA comments are available at: http://www.northwestdistrictassociation.org/?cat=4 .
The NWDA Transportation Committee meets the first Wednesday of each month at 6 pm at Good Samaritan Hospital. The next meetings are April 4th and May 2nd. Check the NWDA website for the meeting room. Everyone is welcome. Let us know your Northwest District transportation concerns and your ideas for improving how we get around in our community!
For more information about the Transportation Committee, visit http://www.northwestdistrictassociation.org/?cat=4
Safety and Livability Committee
Vote for a Wallace Park Makeover:
Portland Parks & Recreation, Banfield Pet Hospital and the Trail Blazers are partnering to give one of Portland's favorite dog parks an extreme makeover!
Cast your vote by March 31st to decide which of the three Portland Parks & Rec dog parks we'll be giving a facelift this Fall.
Vote here:
http://www.nba.com/blazers/banfield_dog_park_makeover12.html
Let's Prepare Together - An Emergency Planning Workshop
Learn how to reduce the risk to you, your family, your community and business in the event of a major disaster-like a devastating earthquake. Speakers from the Red Cross, City of Portland Bureau of Emergency Management and Multnomah County will will share easy and practical ways to help you get prepared. http://www.northwestdistrictassociation.org/?cat=70
Wednesday, April 18, 5:30-8:00pm
Northwest Neighborhood Cultural Center, 1819 NW Everett, Looking Glass Room (use 18th St. entrance)
Neighborhood Cleanups
Regular neighborhood cleanups are held the 2nd and 3rd Saturdays of every month. Join us as we pick up litter and remove graffiti. For more details visit the NWDA calendar at: http://www.northwestdistrictassociation.org/?page_id=9
For more information about the Safety and Livability Committee, visit http://www.northwestdistrictassociation.org/?cat=56
Air Quality Committee
At the February NWDA Board meeting, a new committee was created, the NWDA Air Quality Committee,which consists of all former members and Chair of the NWDA Health & Environment Committee.
Neighborhood News
2012 Summer Concerts in the Parks:
Wallace:
7/12 Gimme Some Lovin' (Blues Brothers Band)
7/19 Locust St. Taxi
7/26 Nancy King Quartet
Couch:
8/2 The Alphabeticians
8/9 Bobby Torres Band
8/16 The Ty Curtis Band
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, March 13, 6-8 pm, Con-way Master Plan Open House, Legacy Good Samaritan, Building 2, Auditorium,
1040 NW 22nd Avenue
Monday, March 19, 6-7:30 pm, NWDA Board Meeting, Legacy Good Samaritan, Building 2, Second Floor, Conference Room, 1040 NW 22nd Avenue
