HAND Oct 17

By Jill Riebesehl

Over the summer the Hosford-Abernethy neighborhood (HAND) welcomed several new members to the board; had a blast representing the neighborhood at the Division-Clinton Business Association’s street fair; and treated neighbors to cones in Piccolo Park (as part of National Night Out celebrations) where residents picnicked, children played in the large sprinklers and all of us, including visiting city ranger, police officers and firefighters, lapped up ice cream donated by New Seasons Market.

On the business side, the HAND board weighed in with analysis and written responses to a new Portland Transportation Systems Plan noting our concerns about proposals for reclassifying SE 20 and 21st Avenues for emergency response. The board joined other neighborhoods in urging Tri-Met to consider battery-operated electric buses for the proposed Division Transit Corridor. We heard from the Portland Bureau of Transportation about plans for the SE Harrison/Lincoln Greenway.

Juliana Lukasik, acting executive director of the Central Eastside Industrial Council, presented CEID’s plan for an Enhanced Service District, of which there are two in Portland: downtown and Lloyd District.

Good news came from Tri-Met that money is now available to replace the bridge over the UP Railroad tracks that was eliminated when the MAX Orange line was built. Dubbed the Gideon bridge, it will help pedestrians and cyclists safely negotiate the complex RR crossings

September was a full month for HAND. Testimony on the Central City 2035 plan was submitted in written form and in person before the City Council. The board voted to lend its support to the Portland Just Energy Transition Initiative, which would tax large national retailers doing business in the city to provide energy efficiency upgrades and job training for residents below or near the poverty line.

And last but not least, on a lovely cloudy/sunny day, HAND – hoping to establish a new tradition – held a neighborhood fall cleanup event at the Cleveland High parking lot Sept. 23. Spielman Bagels donated coffee and bagels for the volunteer workers.

HAND Oct 17

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