HAND
By Jill Riebesehl
The Hosford-Abernethy Neighborhood Board took a December break, but didn’t lose sight of some ongoing concerns. Two involve situations that lie on our borders: the river and state-owned Powell Blvd.
TriMet, spurred on by the fatal collision between a bicyclist and truck in October, is considering adjusting the #70 bus route in order to make it safer for students who cross Powell Blvd. at SE 26th Ave. We also have a representative on a new multi-agency working group dealing with the busy arterial. Anticipating summer, we are continuing our push to improve Willamette River access for swimmers, urging Prosper Portland to replace the Holman swimming dock that was removed a couple of years ago.
At our upcoming Tuesday, January 17 Board meeting, we will be discussing the bus route change for students who live south of Powell Blvd. and take the #70 bus to get to Cleveland. Buses would turn east from Milwaukie onto Powell, then north at either 21st or 26th Aves., letting students off in the neighborhood or at the school. The route would then turn west on Division St., then onto Ladd Ave. and finally continue northbound on 12th Ave. to NE Portland. The previous route of the #10 bus used Ladd and took riders downtown. Among HAND’s concerns are the potential for bike/bus conflicts and reduced access to the Central Eastside Industrial District.Â
This discussion is top of our agenda and we are eager to hear from neighbors about safety on Powell Blvd., TriMet’s proposed route changes or whatever else is on your mind. People can contact our chair, Chris Eykamp, at chair@handpdx.org. Also, please attend our Board meeting starting at 7 pm via Zoom, posted on our website and on Facebook. We anticipate a lively discussion and would love for you to be a part of it.
Mt. Tabor Neighborhood Association
By Dave Petrozzi
MTNA hosted our regular meeting December 14 via Zoom. We wrapped up the year with a conversation on strategic objectives and brainstormed which speakers and events to host during upcoming months. As we continue to refine our communications strategy, the MTNA is seeking a social media intern. Can you help bring together our various digital outlets and improve the way we serve neighbors? Please reach out to us if you’re interested in volunteering your time and deepening your ties to the community.
Our next meeting will be Wednesday, January 18, 7 pm via Zoom, featuring a presentation on emergency preparedness. Find links for this and all of our meetings, under the “Meetings and Events” tab of our website, mttaborpdx.org.
North Tabor Neighborhood Association
By Ross Hiner
The North Tabor Neighborhood Association did not hold a monthly meeting in December. The new board of Directors is looking forward to 2023 as an opportunity to increase engagement across the neighborhood. If you have interest in getting involved or ideas for neighborhood initiatives, please join us at our next meeting Tuesday, January 17, 6:30 pm via Zoom. Come to have your voice heard and meet your new North Tabor Neighborhood Association Board members! Learn more and check for updates at NorthTabor.org.
Richmond Neighborhood Association
By Allen Field
The Richmond Neighborhood Association (RNA) held its monthly meeting December 12. Zoom meetings are the second Monday of the month, 7-9 pm; however, the RNA does not meet in January. The link to preregister is on the agenda, which is posted to richmondpdx.org and the RNA Announce listserv. To be added to the listserv, email richmondnasecretary@gmail.com.Â
Rob Nosse, Oregon House Representative for District 42, gave a legislative update that included the House Democrats planning session addressing improved government effectiveness, housing, houselessness, climate change, I-5 Bridge, workforce challenges, public safety, measure 110, the opioid crisis and more. He answered questions from community members in attendance.
Zef Wagner, Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), gave a presentation on the Hawthorne Area bike greenways. The existing bike greenways at SE 29th, 41st, 52nd, Harrison and Salmon will be retrofitted with safety improvements. Several new bike greenways are proposed for SE 23rd, 34th and 45th. The 34th Ave. proposal would install diverters at Hawthorne Blvd. to prevent north/south auto traffic from crossing Hawthorne, a traffic change that will likely be controversial in the neighborhood. PBOT will conduct public outreach and update its traffic data counts before making any decisions on adding new bike Greenways. A copy of Wagner’s presentation is on the RNA’s website under the Meetings tab for December 2022.
The Board voted to send a letter to Home Forward offering to co-host an open house on the redevelopment of the Peaceful Villa affordable housing complex on SE Clinton, between 46th and 47th Aves. The letter also described concerns raised by neighbors about the redevelopment plan.
The Board appointed a new Richmond Newsletter Editor, Christina Wolfe Nochisaki. It also voted to submit an application to the city to sponsor a free Movie-in-the-Park for Sewallcrest Park for summer 2023.
The Board voted to sign a Third Amended Good Neighbor Agreement between the Hawthorne Theater, neighbors and the RNA to reflect modifications to the agreement from the change of management of the theater.
Our next meeting is Monday, February 12; we hope you can attend.
Sunnyside Neighborhood Association
By Gloria Jacobs
Happy New Year Sunnyside! We had a very successful clothing and gear drive to help our houseless neighbors in this cold and wet season. Thank you to SEUL for providing a warm and inviting space. Thank you to New Seasons, Grand Central Bakery and Fried Egg I’m in Love for generous donations of food. Thanks, too, to Crossroads Trading, Mix Tape, the Mountain Shop and Next Adventure—all of which donated boxes of warm clothes or gift certificates. The biggest thanks of all to our volunteers for taking the time during this busy holiday season to connect with neighbors living outside. Kudos to the SNACC team for putting together such a wonderful event!
The SNACC committee continues to seek in-kind and financial donations, as well as volunteer support to sustain a new four-day shower schedule at the Sunnyside Community Center. If you are interested in volunteering, email sunnysideshowerproject@gmail.com. If you’d like to donate, visit sunnysideshowerproject.org/donate. Next meeting is Thursday, January 19, 6:30–8 pm. at Southeast Uplift.
The SNA Board met on December 8 for our monthly meeting. We talked about filling positions as well as ways that the SNA can work to improve our diversity and equity lens in the work we do for the neighborhood. We are looking for volunteers for the following positions: Treasurer, At-Large Board Members and Land-Use & Transportation Committee Chair. Want to learn more? Please reach out to board@sunnysideportland.org.
Our next general meeting will be Thursday, January 12. We will be talking about a proposed expansion to the greenways system in Sunnyside and a potential endorsement of Quiet Clean PDX’s quest to limit the use of gas-powered leaf blowers.