PBOT Announces Downtown Lombard Paving Plans
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A century ago, St. Johns commuters relied heavily on the street car that ran through town center on N Lombard Street. Those tracks still run under the pavement in downtown St. Johns and they are causing excessive ware on our streets. The
Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) says it's time to take them out and repave Lombard.
In addition to removing the rail lines and repaving, pedestrian crossings will be upgraded with ramps and extended curbs to shorten crossing distance, and bus stations will be widened so busses no longer need to approach curbs at an angle and riders can more easily board. Changes will have minimal impact on parking.
PBOT is also exploring the removal of 2 stop lights. The first removal consideration is the pedestrian light at N Charleston and N Lombard. PBOT feels that new curb extensions shortening distance, marked crosswalk lines, and slower traffic now that cars must make a hard right turn onto main street N Lombard instead of zipping into town down the slip lane make the N Charleston light unnecessary.
The second stop light being considered for removal is the 3 way stop at N Lombard and N Philadelphia. PBOT believes that the majority of off-bridge traffic entering St. Johns utilizes N Ivanhoe. With lower volume on N Philadelphia, it could potentially become a single lane restricted to a right-turn only. Lombard through traffic would no longer have any stop at that location.
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PBOT designs are still in the early stages as additional traffic data is being collected. Construction is set to begin in 2021. In March, PBOT plans to host an Open House event to present proposals and capture community feedback. Visit PBOT's
Lombard Paving Project website for project updates and details.
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NW Natural Speaks About Superfund Commitment
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At SJNA's Monday General Meeting, Bob Wyatt, Director of Environmental Legacy Programs at
NW Natural presented an update about
superfund clean up efforts at the GasCo site that lies on the west bank of the Willamette River just south of the St. Johns Bridge. Before the availability of natural gas fuel, the site was a production location for manufactured gas which is a highly pollutive process.
NW Natural has already built a barrier wall that effectively prevents ground water that has picked up pollutants in the soil from entering the river, rated as fully effective by both the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency. Even so, there are still other contaminants in the riverbanks and beyond that need to be addressed.
Wyatt expressed NW Natural's commitment to a proactive and comprehensive solution. He explained that NW Natural aims to be one of the first companies along the Willamette to pursue and engage clean up projects. According to Wyatt, even though the EPA reduced the toxicity rating of PAH pollutants, the GasCo site is at such a saturation to require clean up regardless.
NW Natural hopes to have clean up strategy completed by 2021. They are working with the EPA and other stakeholders to determine the most effective clean up process, either targeting highest risk sites first, or following river flow from downtown going north. SJNA has extended an open invitation for NW Natural to speak at future meetings with updates and new developments.
SJNA would also like to extend a huge thank you to NW Natural for kindly providing tea, coffee, and cookies for our January General meeting.
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Feedback Wanted for N Columbia Pedestrian Plans
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1a. N Bank Pedestrian Crosswalk - OPTION 1
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1b. N Bank Pedestrian Crosswalk - OPTION 2
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2. N Midway & N Oregonian Barriers
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The
Portland Bureau Of Transportation (PBOT) has published their
project website for their 2 proposed plans to provide a safer option for pedestrians dodging traffic and large trucks while crossing N Columbia. Both crosswalk designs will feature bright visible marketings and pedestrian triggered Green-Yellow-Red stop lights.
Safe pedestrian crossing options are severely lacking for the 200+ St. Johns neighbors that live north of Columbia. That area by George Middle School has been the site of several tragic accidents and fatalities.
In addition to the crosswalk, PBOT will be installing median barriers at 2 key locations to reduce the large volume of cars using the residential streets of N Midway and N Oregonian to enter St. Johns from N Columbia.
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Pod Village Info Night January 24th at Wayfinding
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The City of Portland / Multnomah County
Joint Office of Homeless Services announced their plan to bring a houseless pod village to St. Johns on N Roberts last October. To best inform the community about the project, SJNA hosted a panel meeting in November and invited key stakeholders to talk about this project, pod villages, non-profit support systems, and community impact.
For the latest updates and additional information about the project and other pod villages in Portland, the
St. Johns Center for Opportunity is inviting everyone to learn more at their
Village Fair hosted at the
Wayfinding Academy from 5:30PM to 7:30PM, Thursday, January 24th. What really is a pod village? What is it like to live there? How will this village have a positive impact on the St. Johns community? Get answers to all your questions. Representatives from the Joint Office will also be there to provide available updates to village plans and project timelines.
Everyone is welcome to attend and encouraged to bring a donation of warm socks, gloves, hats, sleeping bags, or blankets.
CORRECTION: The December newsletter inaccurately reported that the Joint Office of Homeless Services had drafted only one main information document. After capturing community feedback, they drafted another FAQ document that specifically addressed community questions received. To view all Joint Office resource documents and letters to nearby neighbors and businesses,
visit the Joint Office Project Communication Site
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JR Simplot St. Johns Site Committed to Public Safety
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When news broke that
CF Industries had partnered with
JR Simplot to store and transport anhydrous ammonia from their site in St. Johns, neighbors were concerned about safety and environmental impact.
Anhydrous ammonia is an essential ingredient to fertilizer production. It is also toxic and potentially lethal when inhaled.
Simplot site managers openly invited an SJNA representative to visit the site and learn about their team's commitment to safety and the location's excellent record transporting anhydrous ammonia since the company first purchased the site back in the 1960s.
The Simplot site team listened to the community's concerns about safety, security, and emergency preparedness. In response to the community's concerns, they have drafted the following statement expressing their commitment to maintaining a legacy of success.
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Johns Community Garden Invites You to Join
The Johns Community Garden has plots available for this year. They're located on N Edison and N Johns Avenue. To request a plot, call 503-823-1612 or
click here.
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Community Sewer Repair Update
Environmental Services has begun construction on a project to repair over 11,000 feet, or about 2 miles, of public sewers in the St. Johns and Cathedral Park neighborhoods. Many of the sewer pipes are about 80 years old and deteriorating due to age. This investment in your neighborhood will allow for continued dependable sewer service and protect the public and our environment by reducing the possibility of sewage releases to homes, businesses and streets. For the most up-to-date information,
click here.
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Environmental Zoning Revisions Underway
Portland's Bureau of Planning and Stability is reviewing outdated environmental zoning maps around the city. Using more advanced mapping technology, BPS teams are updating environmental overlay data. Zoning impacts the potential for future development considerations. Existing structures will not be impacted.
In December, BPS sent out it's first round of postcards to impacted neighbors with details about the project and instructions for scheduling necessary site-visits. The next phase of postcards will be sent out in 6 months. Keep an eye on your mailbox.
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I-405 Ramp Construction Coming Spring 2019
Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will soon begin construction on a project to repair a number of freeway ramps along Interstate 405. These repairs will improve the condition and maintain the long-term safety and use of this heavily traveled freeway.
Construction begins in the spring of 2019 and lasts through the fall of 2020. This work requires closing lanes, shoulders and on-and off-ramps along I-405, US 30, Interstate 5, and US 26.
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JANUARY 17th | 5:30PM - 7:30PM | St. Johns Boosters Mixer
Thai Cottage - 8620 N Lombard
Join the St. Johns Boosters for a business after-hours mixer at Thai Cottage – drinks and snacks are on us! Members and non-members alike are encouraged to attend to meet other members of the St. Johns business community.
This event serves as the Boosters’ Membership Campaign kick-off – attend to hear about how to get involved and take advantage of membership benefits. All members that join or renew by January 31st will be entered to win a 2-night stay in Seaside, OR!
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JANUARY 17th | 6:30PM - 8:00PM | St. Johns NET Meeting
Wayfinding Academy - 8010 N Charleston
All are welcome to the Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) bi-monthly meeting. This month's topic is Operations Plan Review. You can view the
draft Operations Plan here. Feel free to print a copy and bring it with you. NET will be projecting the Operations Plan as well.
FRS radio check-in starting at 6:00 pm. Prior to getting ready to head out to the meeting set your FRS radio to channel 2 - Code 0 (no code). To check in provide your name and cross streets and let them know you are heading to the meeting. Paul will be waiting and ready to respond. If you are a Ham you can also check in starting at 6:00 pm on 431.200 MHz Simplex.
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JANUARY 19th | 7:00PM - 8:30PM | Oaks & Native American Stewardship
BES Water Lab - 6543 N Burlington
The focus of the presentation will be on the importance of Oregon oak in the traditional culture of native people, presented by Greg Archuleta of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Oregon oak is being preserved and restored in the Baltimore Woods corridor in St. Johns.
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JANUARY 24th | 5:30PM - 7:30PM | SJCO Village Fair
Wayfinding Academy - 8010 N Charleston
Learn all the details about Houseless Pod Villages and about the coming community on N Roberts. This informational and experiential event is open to the everyone!
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JANUARY 28th | 6PM - 7PM | SJNA Clean Up Planning Meeting
Leisure Public House - 8002 N Lombard
The Clean Up Event committee is starting planning meetings for the 2019 event. Regularly hosted is April around Earth Day, the Clean Up is an opportunity for neighbors to dispose of trash that is too large or not suitable for street-side pick up. All interested in building a great event are encouraged to attend.
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FEBRUARY 6th | 6:00PM - 6:00PM | SJCO Community Expo
St. Johns Eagle's Lodge - 7611 N Exeter
The 5th Annual Community Expo brings together local nonprofits to share resources, recruit new volunteers, and connect with residents in the neighborhood. SJCO is adding a job fair component this year to help connect job seekers with local employers! Come meet over 70+ local organizations and businesses serving North Portland. They'll have snacks and beverages, a live DJ, kid’s activities and VIP volunteer recognition to honor incredible community volunteers.
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FEBRUARY 7-9th | Winter Lights Festival
Cathedral Park & Greater Portland
Join for the 4th annual Portland Winter Light Festival, a city-wide event showcasing illuminated art installations, vibrant performances, and stunning kinetic fire sculptures throughout our city. This will be the 2nd year the festival has showcased in Cathedral Park. The Portland Winter Light Festival is family-friendly, free to attend, and open to everyone. So bundle up and celebrate the power of light and community! Visit
https://www.pdxwlf.com/ for details.
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FEBRUARY 9th | 10:00AM - 1:00PM | Baltimore Woods Clean Up Party
Baltimore Woods - N Decatur & N Baltimore
Help Friends of Baltimore Woods remove debris and ivy, and clean up the woods in preparation for spring. It's a hands on day of good work with a group of great volunteers. For more information, visit
http://www.friendsofbaltimorewoods.org/.
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:: NET Neighborhood Emergency Team
meetings
:: Multnomah county crisis line 503-988-4888
:: PDX Women's Crisis Line 503-235-5333
:: Report traffic concerns, call PBOT 503-823-7233
:: PDX Park Rangers, call 503-823-1637
Please join us at our next neighborhood meeting.
February 11th, 7pm at the St. Johns Community Center.
Doors open at 6:30PM. All are welcome.
Forward to your neighbors :-)
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