Date:    April 28, 2005

 

To:    Mayor Potter and Portland City Council

 

From:    Matt Brown, Portland Office of Transportation

 

Subject:  Progress report on the Portland Aerial Tram Neighborhood Enhancements List

 

OVERVIEW

In June, 2004, City Council accepted a plan recommending millions of dollars of neighborhood improvements in the South Portland area. These improvements were identified by the Portland Aerial Tram Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) through an intensive public process involving hundreds of residents. To date, nearly $52 million in improvements on the neighborhood project list have been funded or are proposed for funding, with more than $14 million of these improvements located in the neighborhoods west of Interstate 5 in South Portland.

 

This memorandum summarizes the City’s progress to date in implementing the neighborhood enhancement projects included in the Portland Aerial Tram Final Recommendations and Report.

Marquam Hill/Terwilliger Parkway Improvements

A great deal of the work effort in Marquam Hill and Terwilliger Parkway focuses on improving neighborhood livability by reducing the traffic impacts of the Marquam Hill institutions on local streets and increasing pedestrian access and open space throughout the area.

 

Marquam Hill, Terwilliger Parkway Trail Improvements (Funded)      Value: $400,000

An extensive trail network was recommended as part of a thorough pedestrian circulation concept in the Marquam Hill Plan. The two trails below represent the top priority trail connections linking Terwilliger Parkway and nearby hiking trails with the OHSU Campus. Both trails are funded by OHSU and will be constructed summer 2005.

•  Terwilliger – Campus Drive Trail (TP-4A): $300,000

•  OHSU – Marquam Shelter Trail (MH-4F): $100,000

 

Parks and Open Space Improvements-

•  Lakeman-Orkney Property Acquisition (MH-6)  (Funded)      Value: $3,200,000

Portland Parks and Recreation acquired this 48 Acre site in 2004 as a priority Habitat Park and Natural Area Acquisition. The parcel, located in the West Hills was the largest privately held natural area in Portland. The land is adjacent to other open spaces in the Marquam Hill nature area and the City expects to connect and extend existing trails into this area.

 

•  Terwilliger Landscape Improvements at Tram crossing (TP-6) (Funded)    Value: $50,000

As part of the Aerial Tram construction process, ivy remediation and forest restoration will be conducted to reestablish the forest canopy beneath the Tram Alignment between Terwilliger Parkway and Barbur Boulevard. The Portland Office of Transportation has been coordinating closely with Portland Parks and Recreation, Friends of Terwilliger and adjacent property owners to identify the appropriate location for the improvements.

 

Traffic Calming and Street Improvements

•  6th/Sheridan Traffic Improvements (TP-1) (Funded)        Value: $900,000

As additional growth occurs on Marquam Hill, capacity improvements at SW 6th Avenue and Sheridan are required to efficiently move vehicles and transit through this intersection. This project, which is currently under construction, has been funded by OHSU and is scheduled for completion in May 2005.

 

•  Marquam Hill Traffic Calming Study (S-1) (Funding in Process)      Value: $40,000

Within the Marquam Hill and Terwilliger project list, a variety of traffic calming and traffic mitigation projects were identified. These projects all have a common theme, which is to mitigate the impacts associated with Marquam Hill institutional traffic on local neighborhood streets. This study will work with affected residents and property owners to establish an integrated plan for these improvements. A project scope and funding MOU is currently being developed with OHSU to initiate the project in summer 2006.

 

Lair Hill

The Lair Hill area has been struggling with regional transportation impacts for years, and is directly affected by the visual presence of the Aerial Tram. While a variety of projects are proposed for the Lair Hill area including improvements on Gibbs Street, two important projects remain the central priorities for this area- the construction of pedestrian connections across I-5, and the implementation of the South Portland Circulation Project.

 

•  Gibbs Street Improvements(LH-6) (Funded)          Value: $750,000

A variety of improvements are proposed to offset the visual impact of the tram on Gibbs Street residents, minimize construction impacts, and improve the aesthetic qualities of Gibbs Street. Planned improvements include relocating the existing overhead utilities underground, installing ornamental street lighting along the Tram alignment, and providing Street Tree plantings for property owners. $750,000 for these improvements has been included within the Tram budget. The specific design concepts will be developed in concert with residents and construction will be completed prior to Tram completion.

 

•  Gibbs Street Pedestrian Bridge(LH-5) ()            Value: $5,000,000

(Funding in Process- Part of $9,000,000 federal request)

This bridge has been forwarded as a high priority of the Lair Hill residents. The bridge crosses Interstate-5 at Gibbs Street and connects the neighborhood to South Waterfront and the Willamette River Greenway.

Design and engineering has been funded by PDC and will begin Summer 2005. Initial grading work to prepare for the landing of the bridge in South Waterfront has been included as part of the Tram budget ($320,000). Federal construction funding has been approved by the US House of Representatives on March 10, 2005 and is due for passage this Spring

 

•  Gibbs Street Voluntary Property Buy-out Program(S-7.1) (Not Funded)    Value: $250,000

(Estimated net cost to City after property resale)

In adopting the Portland Aerial Tram Final Recommendations and Report, City Council directed the City Engineer to pursue a voluntary property buy out program for owner occupied residences along Gibbs Street. PDOT staff has prepared a draft program for Council’s review and upon council acceptance will proceed with implementing the program during the summer and fall of 2005.

 

•  Lair Hill Traffic Calming (LH-3)  (Funded)          Value: $250,000

In response to potential increase in traffic volumes due to implementation of the South Portland Circulation Project and increased development in South Waterfront, a series of traffic calming projects are proposed in the Lair Hill area. Prior to implementation of these traffic calming work, a traffic calming study is proposed to coordinate this effort with South Waterfront Access improvements.

•  Virginia Avenue Traffic Calming: $100,000

•  CTLH Traffic Calming Study/Implementation: $150,000

 

•  South Portland Circulation Project/Macadam Avenue Long Term Improvements –

Environmental Impact Statement and Preliminary Engineering      Value: $4,000,000

(Funding in Process- Part of $9,000,000 federal request)

A longstanding priority for Lair Hill area residents, this project focuses on the removal of the Ross Island Bridge ramps and conversion of Naito Parkway into a neighborhood collector street. As part of the Tram Citizens Advisory Committee’s effort with the Tram process, PDOT prepared a phasing plan for the project. Federal funding is being requested as part of the current $9,000,000 Transportation Request to conduct an environmental impact statement and preliminary engineering for the project and study the potential for the design to complement planned improvements for Macadam Avenue.

 

South Waterfront

The South Waterfront District is fast developing into a vibrant new neighborhood. Improvements within the South Waterfront area have been pursued primarily as part of the planning and implementation of the South Waterfront Central District development. Many of the improvements in South Waterfront, including the Willamette River Greenway, are included on the neighborhood improvement project list and will help serve or provide benefit to adjacent existing neighborhoods.

 

•  South Waterfront Neighborhood Park (SW-3) (Funded)        Value: $6,000,000

Within the South Waterfront area a series of parks will be developed to support new residents of the district and existing residents of Lair Hill. The first of these parks, funded for acquisition and interim improvements, will be located on a 2.1 acre site in the heart of the central district, bounded by SW Bond, SW Curry, SW Moody, and SW Gaines.

 

•  Macadam Avenue Short Term Improvements (Funded)         Value: $2,000,000

In order to accommodate initial phases of South Waterfront development, interim access improvements are required along Macadam Avenue at Bancroft, Curry and Gaines Street. These improvements were identified in a collaborative process with the Oregon Department of Transportation and are schedule for completion by the end of 2005.

 

•  Macadam Avenue Long-term Improvements:        Value: $30,000,000

(Funding in Process-Federal/State OTIA Funding)

Beyond the initial phases of development in South Waterfront, additional capacity and access improvements will be required to support ongoing development. The Oregon Department of Transportation has identified $15,000,000 in funding for Macadam Avenue improvements. The City of Portland is working with its regional partners to request $15,000,000 in federal funds to complete the required funding.