Plan Policies

Social Equity
​
The following Portland Plan polices inform actions to address Social Equity needs in Sullivan’s Gulch.
  • T-11: Focus public investment in community infrastructure including education, recreation, housing, transportation, health and social services to reduce disparities faced by youth of color, families in poverty, youth with disabilities and others at risk of not graduating from high school.
  • P-25: Use a community-driven neighborhood economic development approach to build local capacity to achieve economic development outcomes, minimize involuntary displacement and spur commercial activity in underserved neighborhoods.
  • P-36:  Increase the ability of low-income households to access home ownership opportunities.
  • H-16:  Encourage development of high-quality, well-designed housing in and around neighborhood centers and near transit — at a variety of sizes and cost ranges.

Ethnic diversity in SGN has declined as the cost of housing has increased. There is a significant homeless population that needs safe places to reside. The following steps are intended to address these social equity needs.
  • Increase affordable housing choice.
  • Increase affordable transportation options.
  • Use the public realm to foster a sense of inclusivity for residents.
 
Climate Action

Polices relied on to address Climate Action issues in Sullivan’s Gulch include:
  • T-15:  Make it easier to get to school, work, and other needed services on public transit.
  • P-18:  Increase the use of transit, bikes, walking, carpooling, and telecommuting to reduce both wear and demand on the transportation system and to free up capacity for freight mobility.
  • H-18:  Link neighborhood centers to each other, employment areas, the Central City and the broader region through a multi-modal transit system. Prioritize safe and attractive frequent transit service, bikeways and accessible pedestrian connections, including sidewalks.
  • H-22:  Promote energy and resource conservation at a district scale in neighborhood hubs through compact development, rehabilitation of existing buildings and energy efficiencies.
  • H-24:  Preserve and restore habitat connections and tree canopy to link stream and river corridors, landslide prone areas, floodplains, wetlands, and critical habitat sites into a system of corridors.

Sullivan’s Gulch, like most of Portland, is dominated by car use. We are, however, located near employment and service centers that make it easy for residents to use other travel modes. Enhancements are needed to make the use of these alternative modes safer.  There also is interest in improving the energy efficiency of older buildings. The neighborhood’s east-west orientation is well suited to rooftop solar.
  • Expand transportation options to reduce motor vehicle trips.
  • Increase the energy efficiency of existing buildings.
  • Invest in renewable energy, like rooftop and community solar. 

Livability

Polices relied on to address Livability issues in Sullivan’s Gulch include:
  • P-10:  Continue to promote innovation in public projects related to transportation and environmental services, including the following: ... (2) an innovative active transportation system — transit, walking, use of mobility devices, biking, car and bike sharing, etc., and (3) urban parks and natural areas.
  • P-39:  Continue to expand access to affordable transportation options, including sidewalks, frequent service transit, bicycle networks, car and bike sharing, and other alternatives that allow households to function without a car or with one car. Develop corridor-specific housing strategies as a component of major transit investments.
  • H-6:  Encourage design and development that improves public health and safety. This includes design that supports active living and healthy housing, better fire safety and prevention, crime prevention through environmental design, and hazard mitigation and adaptation.
  • H-7:  Preserve the distinctive characteristics and history of Portland’s neighborhoods and districts when making decisions regarding growth, urban design and the design of improvements.
  • H-10:  Support and enhance programs that encourage recreation and physical activity, healthy eating, active transportation, conservation, and community safety and resiliency.
  • H-12:  Support strong, vibrant and complete neighborhood centers through land use, community economic development, and housing, infrastructure and technology investments.
  • H-13:  Prioritize the placement of community services in neighborhood centers – such as health clinics, day care centers, senior centers, libraries, and educational facilities.
  • H-27:  Build on Portland’s green street, sidewalk and bikeway efforts to create a citywide greenway network of trails and pedestrian and bike-friendly green streets.
  • H-28:  Design neighborhood greenways and civic corridors to integrate safe and accessible facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, sustainable storm water facilities, tree planting and community amenities.
  • H-30:  Preserve older and historic buildings, public places and parks along corridors, where appropriate, to enhance the pedestrian realm and create a unique sense of place and neighborhood identity.

Sullivan’s Gulch is one of Portland’s oldest neighborhoods. Many sidewalks are more than 100 years old and should be replaced.  Pedestrian-scale lighting is needed to make walking comfortable after dark. The neighborhood does not have a neighborhood park and virtually all private land is developed. We need to make better use of public land to enhance livability.  There is a significant homeless population. Trash and safety concerns are high near homeless encampments.
  • Enhance pedestrian safety.
  • Invest in and make better use of the existing public realm.
  • Support programs that will provide housing options for our homeless neighbors.