Oregon bill aims to tackle air quality and we need your help; fun St. Johns activities coming up
February
SJNA Newsletter
New Oregon Bill Sparks Air Quality Conversations
The Oregon Legislature has introduced a new diesel pollution bill, HB 2110 (read the bill and follow its progress). Federal law limits our state to two options, either adopt federal policy--which is well below satisfactory--or adopt California's gold standard.
Our community is plagued by diesel pollution. Trucks travel through our community and past our neighbors' front doors daily. This is a real and present concern for our community. St. Johns deserves the right to clean air free from harmful diesel contaminants. (View Jen Levy's air quaility presentation from Sept 2016.)
Tell our Oregon representative and Speaker of the Oregon House, Tina Kotek, that "St. Johns Wants California Diesel Standards."
"The St Johns Neighborhood Association passed a resolution urging the State of Oregon to bring its Diesel fuel standards into line with California and Washington. We also urge the State of Oregon to bring our other point source clean air standards up to meet California's standards."
Other major pollution sources on the peninsula are our many neighboring industrial sites. The primary issue is a lack of up-to-date and accurate permitting. You can help. Like a good mystery? Permit hunters are needed!
Land Use Update
Central Hotel
It is official, Central Hotel has been purchased and the new owners are planning to demolish the site and replace it with a 4-story, multi-purpose building with ground-floor retail and approximately 30 apartment units on the upper floors.
The adjacent St. Johns plaza is not a part of the development. It is owned by PBOT and remains public space. Not much else is known about the project at this time.
The St. Johns Tree Team is hosting the 2nd annual neighborhood Tree Pruning workshop. Join urban forestry arborists in an informative hour-long lecture about proper pruning techniques. Then, go out in groups for hands-on practice pruning area trees.
The public spoke and the EPA listened. Thanks to overwhelming response by the community, the EPA revised their plans, and now they're prepared to discuss what the Superfund clean up will entail.
Kaboom Grand Brings New Bus Stops for Cathedral Gardens
About 20% of St. Johns lives in Cathedral Gardens, next to pier park. With the Kaboom Grant, PBOT will install 3-4 active bus stops in the community, designed by the community. Construction is to begin in June.
The first design meeting will be in March 1st at the Cathedral Gardens community center.
Neighborhood Clean Up & Recycle Event
April 29th | 10am - 4pm St. John's Christian Church Parking Lot
N Central & N Charleston
Mark your calendar! The annual St. Johns Neighborhood Association Clean Up & Recycle event is coming up.
Trash and recyclables that don't otherwise fit in curb-side bins will be collected at the event. Excessively large items may be refused, especially home construction materials likely to contain asbestos.
SJNA will also be offering Emergency Preparedness Kit items for your home kits, as well as a raffle for 2 fully stocked Emergency Kits!
$5/car load | $5/tire | $7/truck load
St. Johns Bizarre Needs Volunteers
May 13th | 10am - 7:00pm | FREE
St. Johns Plaza
2017 is The St. Johns Bizarre's 11th year of creating a forum for neighbors and friends to celebrate the unique and eclectic character of North Portland. We hope you'll come enjoy all that our community has to offer.
This is the 55th year of the parade and first time in recent memory it is having financial difficulties. The parade organizers are reaching out to the community for donations and volunteers. The parade committee fully funds the event and is seeking $10-12k to cover the costs for permits, insurance, security, pins, shirts, portable restrooms, and more.
:: Be neighborly with Nextdoor Android|iOS :: Report issues to the city with PDX Reporter Android | iOS :: St. Johns event calendar :: SJNA's website :: City of Portland's website :: St. Johns' shared Google calendar :: Important Portland phone numbers :: PCC emergency response classes :: NET Neighborhood Emergency Team meetings :: Multnomah county crisis line 503-988-4888 :: Portland Women's Crisis Line 503-235-5333 :: Report specific traffic concerns, call PBOT 503-823-7233
Please join us at our next neighborhood meeting. March 13th, 7pm at St. Johns Community Center Spread the word, share on Facebook
