By Denise Hare
Richmond Neighborhood Association (www.richmondpdx.org) held its monthly meeting Sept. 8.
Sewallcrest Park Safety: Galina Burley, Security Manager at Portland Parks & Recreation, described recent concerns about Sewallcrest Park, in addition to providing guidelines about how neighbors can respond to those concerns.
If you observe a crime in process (attacks, theft, or drug dealings), call 911.The line between calling police non-emergency and park rangers is a little more blurred. If someone appears to be camping in the park, or sleeping there after the park has closed, call the police non-emergency line (503.823.3333). For graffiti or broken glass, or non-threatening nuisance behavior, call the park rangers (503.823.1637).
Betsy Redfearn, Parks Maintenance Supervisor, suggested the maintenance line (503.823.8653) as another option. Sometimes maintenance workers may be working nearby and can reach a problem site quickly. Burley recommends Parkscan (www.parkscanpdx.org) as another good option because you can upload photos to the site and mark the exact location of a problem area. PP&R staff is required to respond to postings made there.
Parks Replacement Bond: Amy Ruiz described Bond Measure 26-159, which will be on the November ballot. This is an opportunity to replace a bond first issued 20 years ago that funded the construction of the East Portland Community Center as well as the SW Portland Community Center. In contrast to the earlier bond that supported construction of new facilities, this measure aims to raise funds for major maintenance as well as maintenance needs arising from growth. There has been no organized opposition to the measure. More about arguments behind the measure can be found at FixOurParks.org. The board voted to endorse the bond measure.
Measure 90 Open Primary Initiative:Â Representatives from Vote Yes on Measure 90 and No on Measure 90 made a presentation. The board declined to take a position.
Demolition notice about 3415 SE Division St. Developer Ryan Olsen proposes to demolish one house and build two new units at this site with tuck-under parking below. Olsen was not in attendance, but he provided plans in advance of the meeting. Neighbors shared thoughts about the merits and shortcomings of the proposed plans. Questions were raised about whether deconstruction—which would save parts of the house or keep them in place—could be a viable alternative to demolition. The board voted to request a 120-day extension in order to allow property neighbors Mary MacArthur, Colleen Lockovitch, Jeanne Carpenter, and Cathy Ross to lead an effort on defining an alternative to demolition.
The next RNA meeting will be Monday, October 13, at Waverly Heights Congregational Church (basement), 3300 SE Woodward St., 7 pm. Meetings are held in the church basement; enter from the east-side door.