npGREENWAY
from the willamette to the columbia
Dear North Portland Greenway Trail Supporter,
Now is an important time for you to make comments on the Trail Alignment Study the City of Portland Parks and Recreation and their consultant, David Evans & Assoc. are working on. There are maps of 5 trail sections on the PP&R blog, linked here. http://northportlandgreenwaytrail.wordpress.com/current-npgt-documents/
A public open house to review their work and comment will be hosted by PP&R on Wednesday, May 16 6:30 to 8:30 with formal presentation 7:00 -7:30,
5000 N Willamette Blvd, University of Portland Chiles Center, Hall of Fame Room.
npGREENWAY is concerned that PP&R’s effort to create a trail alignment that is reasonable to construct in a short time frame loses the vision of a trail along the Willamette River. Therefore we propose the following:
1. The trail alignment must be consistent with that shown in the River Plan that was adopted by City Council following years of public involvement.
2. In locations it is not possible to build the trail in the near future due to river related industry must have two alignments shown, ie. Preferred Alignment and Near Term Alignment.. Specific areas are north of the Broadway Bridge where there is an active grain elevator and another is the former Crown Cork and Seal site north of Baltimore Woods.
3. A trail east of the Rose Quarter as shown on the PP&R blog is totally unacceptable. Both the Near Term Alignment and the Preferred Alignment must be closer to the Willamette River. The maps miss the opportunity of the former Thunderbird Motel site and a connection to the Steel Bridge and the Eastbank Esplanade. The trail must be a multi-purpose trail for walking and biking, not just biking in existing bike lanes.
4. The PP&R blog map misses the opportunity to utilize the street that is adjacent to Interstate, use the Larrabee signal and continue north on Larrabee. This route enables one to see the working waterfront.
4. The PP&R blog map and matrix miss the significance of Colombia Blvd and the need for a protected crossing,
5. The PP&R blog misses the opportunity of connecting the two sides of the Willamette River using the BNSF bridge.
Please take a look at the PP&R blog and leave a comment. npGREENWAY suggests the 5 comments above as immediate concerns. http://northportlandgreenwaytrail.wordpress.com/current-npgt-documents/
Looking forward to meeting you at the Open House. If you can’t come, please go the the link and make your comments.
Thanks, Your friends at npGREENWAY
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