January 23, 2004

NEWS & EVENTS

Albina Fuel Co. Site and Broadway Main Street
Planning Study: Completed

In early December consultants Crandall Arambula delivered the Final Draft of the planning study culminating six months of work. The three public meetings were interspersed with reports from traffic and economic consultants, conferences with major property owners and public agencies. Representatives from Grant Park, Irvington, Kerns and Laurelhurst joined Sullivan's Gulch and met with the consultants to tie work in with neighborhood issues.

The results of the study are a bold and impressive vision --receiving broad general support from those participating in the public meetings. The consultants addressed the substantial traffic increase likely to result from development on the Albina Fuel site in very creative ways – a road behind Fred Meyer linking the site to NE 28th Ave., as well as, increasing turning capacity on NE Broadway at 33rd. In addition, the consultants looked at the “streetscape” of NE Broadway between 24th and 33rd and made suggestions on improving store front and pedestrian access for businesses in the area. A copy of the report is available on the SGNA web site.

Now the draft is in the hands of the individual neighborhoods for their action.
Acceptance of the Plan will be on the agenda for the February Board meeting of the Sullivan's Gulch NA. The meeting will be at Holladay Park Plaza (NE 16th and Multnomah) at 7:30 PM on February 9.

If accepted by the neighborhood, the Plan can be used to support testimony when a development proposal for the Albina Fuel site enters the design review process. The consultants have met with all major property owners in the area and believe that the Plan incorporates the future interests of these major property owners.

It is important to remember that the Plan will not have official City status. No roads can be built without the participation of individual property owners. The
goal of the study was to provide an opportunity for our neighborhoods to look at circulation and development issues in a broader context than has been the case with formal zoning procedures e.g. Albina Fuel and Fred Meyer. The development and circulation potentials shown in the Plan are a first cut at what might develop but they set a high standard for other proposals. Review and refinements can follow as specific development projects emerge from property owners.

Following action by the individual neighborhood associations, an informal group of representatives will continue to confer, not only about the plan, but also about developments in their areas that relate to the plan. If you want to participate or have questions and comments please Lynne Coward, Sullivan’s Gulch Land Use chair, at 503-335-9405 or by email.

NEWS BRIEFS

In Memorium: La Prima - Regretably, the good folks at LaPrima could not attract enough business at their location at NE 17th and Broadway, the old Rustica location. They continue to serve good food at their original westside location 4775 SW 77th. Meanwhile there are plenty of good restaurants within easy walking distance to satisfy almost any palette. Bon appetite.

Sullivan's Gulch Condo Projects Featured in Oregonian - Eastside housing projects, including two in Sullivan's Gulch got a nice write up in a recent Oregonian New Homes section. The Aiyana 88-Condo project at 1620 Broadway and the new Sullivan's Village townhouse project on Multnomah between 21st and 22nd were featured.

Spring Cleanup Ahead - Although it's hard to think of when the weather is this cold, but Darren Knittle says to plan on a Saturday in May for the annual neighborhood clean up. This is your chance to easily and
cheaply get rid of unusable junk from your basement or garage, as well as accumulated yard debris and other recyclables.