Our Our New Coffee, Brunch Buckman Show 29th Neighbors & Spirits & Sell Year Page 3 Page 13 Page 16 MARCH SOUTHEAST EXAMINER 2018 southeastexaminer.com “Your Neighborhood News Source” Vol 29 No 3 Portland, OR Divisive Diverter Impacts Hawthorne and Division BY MIDGE PIERCE extremely narrows streets such as SE 26th were raised. Add “diverter” to a meeting agenda PBOT representative Roger Geller in SE Portland and tension and attendance spoke of ways to make what he termed short rise especially if the diverter is at the “trip gaps” without vehicles. An objective junction of neighborhoods with vastly is to make cycling and other modes easier, different perspectives. safer and more equitable. Ultimately, the The proposed diverter at SE 50th goal is to reduce the estimated 500,000 and Lincoln is a major flashpoint. After additional vehicle trips. rancorous meetings in which pro-diverter Greenways are an important bicyclists squared off against anti- part of improving the network, Geller diverter residents, Portland Bureau of said. “Cycling is a very cost effective Transportation (PBOT) modified plans for investment.” the Lincoln-Harrison Greenway to utilize At a SE Uplift meeting, chair and what it calls an interim median-style bicycle-enthusiast Terry Dublinski-Milton, barrier to allow neighborhood connectivity (outspoken advocate for the bikeway that Cyclists Rally For Safety from 50th at Lincoln and right turns only runs from 60th to Ladds Circle) said the from Lincoln. diverter at SE 50th is needed because the The new plan calls for adding eight Greenway is one of the poorest performing Dozens of street safety advocates tions, including Cleveland High School. speed bumps to upper Hawthorne which in the City. He says solutions must serve rallied at Powell Park on Tuesday to op- Removal of the bike lanes appears im- will likely become a more heavily trafficked the region, not just locals. pose the removal of the bike lanes on SE minent, though it is still unclear when alternative route, as will Division St. along Residents of Mt. Tabor claim the 26th Ave. at Powell Blvd. one of Port- exactly PBOT will carry out ODOT’s a stretch that includes an elementary and area lacks East-West blocks that, in other land’s most crash-prone intersections. demand. high school. neighborhoods, provide alternate routes Earlier this month, the Street Trust Jillian Detweiler, Executive Di- PBOT claims the diverter is needed to to and from homes. The result, they launched a petition calling on city lead- rector of the Street Trust said, “It’s a manage burgeoning mobility needs as the claim, will be increases in dangerous car- ers, the Portland Bureau of Transpor- Catch-22. The increasing traffic makes City grows, but the diverter is not the only bike interactions, blockages at failing tation, and the Oregon Department of it more dangerous for cyclists, so they concern of Richmond neighbors. During intersections and significant traffic Transportation to take action to prevent ride less and use their cars more.” The a Richmond neighborhood association squeezes onto Division and Hawthorne. the removal of the bike lanes on SE 26th. greenways are helping, but rarely do presentation by PBOT, striping, bike To counter the impact on Hawthorne, In less than a week, more than 1,000 sup- they get a cyclist completely from one buttons and the impact of detours onto turn to page 23 porters signed on, many of them pointing destination to another. They need bike out the bike lanes’ critical role in making lanes and space on the busy thorough the intersection safer for bicyclists, pe- fares to feel safe. After all it is cyclists destrians, students, and motorists. that are making a change for the better. This effort comes in response to SE Powell Boulevard is a high- the Oregon Department of Transporta- crash corridor, and its intersection with tion’s demand that PBOT remove the 26th Ave. is one of the most crash-prone bike lanes and bike boxes on SE 26th. in the city. Just three years ago, 22-year- In 2015, ODOT required the removal of old Alistair Corkett lost his leg after be- these bike lanes as a condition for new ing struck by a pickup truck while riding crosswalk signals on Powell at SE 28th. his bike at the intersection. While the crossing at 28th is a wel- The Street Trust believes the best come safety improvement, the Street way to prevent such tragedies is to slow Trust believes it does not warrant making down traffic and increase street safety travel on SE 26th less safe. SE 26th is the facilities, including bike lanes. most direct route to a number of destina- Thorburn: Successfully Slowing Roadrunners Access Project Photo by Keith Jones, Courtesy Human Participants in the Human Access Projects Willamette River dip BY MIDGE PIERCE Valentine’s Day plunge Love ‘em or hate ‘em, new speed bumps are doing their job along Thorburn Ever since the City completed the many Portlanders aren’t aware of that.” St., the curvy route between SE 62nd and $1.4 billion Big Pipe project in 2011, Levinson formed the Human Gilham. discharges of untreated sewage into the Access Project to encourage swimming Debra Monzon, neighborhood Willamette River have largely dissipated. and to clear beaches along the Willamette project spokesperson who spearheaded The stretch of river passing through River in the downtown area. “This was a campaign for Thorburn traffic calming downtown used to have overflows between an opportunity to celebrate the Bureau of and citizen fundraising of $30,000 to cover 50 and 100 times a year. Environmental Services and the big pipe, costs and expedite installation, says the In celebration of over three months because it’s been 115 consecutive days in impact of the bumps has been amazing. during the rainy season with no overflow the wintertime,” said Levenson. “I think Average traffic speed, she says, has gone plus the Valentine’s Day holiday, twenty- this is a record for most consecutive days from 32 to 26 mph and traffic volume is five people braved 45 degree water to take in the wintertime where there has not been down by 6%. their version of the “polar bear” plunge into a sewage overflow.” While residents would like to see the river. The event drew attention to the The Valentine’s Day swim will likely greater traffic decreases, the goal of the fact that people can swim in the Willamette become an annual event. PBOT-designed calming pattern was to River. They also hold a summer celebration slow down drivers. Neighbors who once Willie Levenson, the group’s – the Big Float in July – to celebrate and feared speeding vehicles and heavy trucks ringleader and founder of the Human increase use of a public waterway. turn to page 23 Access Project said, “The problem is, 2 THE SOUTHEAST EXAMINER MARCH 18 LE Letters to the Editor To Rep. Nosse of businesses have been forced trucks and vans parking at to lay people off because their intersections right up to the stop There are a lot of problems sales have gone down – and not sign. There is no way to see over facing our community right just sales on those drinks with them when attempting to enter now and we’re all faced with sugar in them, but sales across into the intersection, and I’ve had difficult decisions on a daily the board. People are just going to come to a sudden stop to avoid basis, especially when it comes to places where they can buy a car, bicycle, or pedestrian. to how and when to spend our what they want – other towns or 2) In the relationship money. This proposal to create counties. between motor vehicle traffic tax on beverages will just add Why are we holding and all who share the roads in to the difficulties people face in the smallest businesses in our narrow streeted neighborhoods, Portland. neighborhoods responsible there doesn’t seem to be much in “Silver jewelry I know you support this tax for solving the area’s funding the way of responsible interaction and that’s why I wanted to get in problems? between bicyclists, pedestrians, and other stuff.” touch with you. I think you have Shouldn’t we have a plan vis-a vis motor vehicle drivers. good intentions, but I’m not sure that’s a little fairer? A plan that It’s been my experience that you fully grasp the unintended doesn’t directly impact the pedestrians and bicyclists believe consequences that could come grocery budgets of families who they have no responsibility to from this tax. can least afford it? I urge you to look, merge, stop at signals, or www.ventpdx.com I run a small business reconsider your support. follow any of the other traffic 3320 SE Division near your district and I’ve laws that motor vehicles are been watching how this tax is Thank you, required to adhere. panning out in other cities. Lots Zouheir Hussein It’s as if they want to challenge cars by entering a New in Portland crosswalk head down staring at HAWTHORNE GARDENS SENIOR LIVING their PDA, or bicyclists pushing I’m a newbie to SE Portland, through an intersection without having moved here last June. I regard to right of way. I can’t tell read the February edition’s small you the number of times I’ve had article Twenty is Plenty about to slam on my brakes to avoid HAWTHORNE GARDENS SENIOR LIVING reducing speed limits in order to someone doing this. Easter Party attain the Vision Zero goal. I could never imagine As I drive in the driving much over 20 MPH in SE & EGG HUNT neighborhoods of SE, I find and NE neighborhoods.