SULLIVAN'S GULCH
NEIGHBORHOOD ACTION PLAN

(Page 3)

Neighborhood Action Plan
(Goals, Policies, Objectives)

INTRODUCTION

This neighborhood plan presents ways to enhance the neighborhood while maintaining the quality and diversity that makes Sullivan's Gulch a great place to live, work and own property.

NEIGHBORHOOD GOAL

Strengthen Sullivan's Gulch as a desirable inner-city neighborhood by enhancing the quality of life there for those who live and work in the neighborhood while providing opportunities for business and housing that are consistent with existing densities and land uses.

LAND USE

AREA 1: BROADWAY BUSINESS DISTRICT

FINDINGS

• Traffic volumes on NE Broadway are approximately 10,000 vehicles per day.
  
• Lack of amenities for pedestrians and traffic speed and volume contribute to an unpleasant environment for pedestrians.

• Under use and lack of vitality in the existing commercial strip detract from its appearance and discourage the kind of potential development which would upgrade the area.  
  
• A lack of cohesion and identification with the surrounding residential areas inhibit neighborhood-oriented commercial uses along the strip.
  
• The zoning for heavy industrial use at the intersection of NE 33rd and Broadway is no longer consistent with the zoning and uses along NE Broadway.
  
• Adequate parking and increased exposure should help the businesses along NE Broadway.
  
• The commercial property at the northwest comer of N-E 21st and Weidler was inadvertently zoned residential during the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan.

POLICY 1: BROADWAY BUSINESS DISTRICT

ACTIVELY PROMOTE THE AREA ALONG NE BROADWAY TO FOSTER RENEWED COMMERCIAL VITALITY.

OBJECTIVE 1A Create and enhance a more pleasant environment for pedestrians and shoppers along NE Broadway.

OBJECTIVE 1B Increase exposure to the businesses along NE Broadway by reestablishing it as a two-way street between NE 16th and 24th  

OBJECTIVE 1C Support opportunities for shared off-street parking and retain most existing on-street parking to help businesses except where removal is necessary for the efficient operation of this Major City Traffic Street.

OBJECTIVE 1D Support zoning and land uses at NE 33rd and Broadway that are consistent with the existing commercial strip.

OBJECTIVE 1E Rezone the northwest corner of N-E 21st and Weidler from R2 to C2 to reflect its present use. (Ordinance to accompany plan to City Council).

NEIGHBORHOOD IMPLEMENTING ACTIONS (These are not intended to be adopted by Planning Commission or City Council.)  

1. Coordinate with the Irvington and Grant Park Neighborhood Associations for support of the policies and objectives which affect both sides of N-E Broadway.

2. Support neighborhood businesses by providing advertising space in neighborhood newsletters, doing a 'welcome wagon' for new businesses, suggesting businesses offer discounts to neighborhood residents and other activities to encourage new business

3. Encourage businesses to provide street trees, fountains, benches, trash receptacles, planters, awnings or uniform signing to upgrade the street appeal.  
   
4. Seek urban design help from the City and other resources.

5. Encourage local businesses to reactivate a Broadway Business Association or consider joining forces with the Hollywood business community.

6.  Support land use action to allow appropriate new commercial development on the Albina Fuel property which fronts on N-E Broadway.

7.  Support the future intent to decouple Broadway/Weidler in the Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan (NTMP) and in neighborhood needs reports.

8.  Look for funding sources for the Broadway traffic conversion, street furniture and street trees.

Discussion: The businesses along N-E Broadway provide a variety of services and products for Portland residents. Enhancement of the Broadway strip which encourages people to get out of their cars, off the buses, or walk from the surrounding neighborhoods to shop here is the intent of the plan's objectives. The return of N-E Broadway to a two-way street between NE, 16th and 24th is a long-range goal that would increase exposure to the strip's businesses. Adequate parking is also essential to the businesses on NE, Broadway. Traffic modeling shows that NE, Broadway has the capacity to carry the projected two-way traffic demand while maintaining most of the existing on-street parking. The cost of conversion is substantial. The neighborhood recognizes that FUNDS are not available at this time and that the problems the conversion would solve are more related to land use than traffic. However, the adoption of the long-range objective for conversion would enable the city and the neighborhood to seek funding through appropriate sources.

The neighborhood acknowledges that the owners of Albina Fuel are considering redevelopment of their property and that the island of industrial sanctuary at N-E 33rd and Broadway is no longer appropriate given the recent zone change history in this area and the existing commercial zoning along N-E Broadway. It is premature to change the zoning with this plan. However, this plan is not intended to be a stumbling block to future redevelopment. There was consensus among the steering committee that the existing commercial use at the northwest corner at NE 21st and Weidler should be rezoned now. An ordinance for the zone change and Comprehensive Plan map amendment is attached as Exhibit C. Notice of this proposed zone change was included in the announcement of the Planning Commission hearing.

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