Burnside/Couch Couplet Grand Opening

If you travel on or own a business on Burnside or Couch (or for that matter, on any of the side streets from Grand to 14th Ave) it may seem as if there is no end to the construction.

The project is almost done and the city wants to celebrate it. On Tuesday, October 12th from 9:00 – 11:00AM, there will be an official ‘Grand Opening’ of the Burnside/Couch Couplet.

The event will take place on Block 76, south end (E. Burnside betw MLK & Couch). Earl Blumenhauer will be the keynote speaker along with a few other people involved with the project.

Should be a good media event, so why not come out and see what’s planned?

Golf Tournament Winners

Did you make it to the CEIC Golf Tourney sponsored by Wet Coast Bank? If not, here’s the list of winners you’ll need to beat in next year’s Golf Tournament:

Putting Contest
Penny Stephenson

Accuracy Drive
David Hyman
Gina Whitehill-Baziuk

KP Men
Scott Wells

KP Women
Jen Piper

Tee Jar Winner
Mike Verkest

First Flight
First Pete Norman, Carl Lucke, David Simon Gray Scrivens
Second Bob Baroschini, Dick Magruder, Jen Piper, Gina Whiehill-Baziuk
Third David Lorati, Mike Reese, Terry Taylor, Mark Stromme

Second Flight
First Tom Keenen, Richard Kalinowski, Larry Wipf, Steve Rutherford
Second Bert Geiger, Pat Prentice, David Hyman, Bob Nagel
Third Jerry Baysinger, Bill Ruecker, Geo Baker, Howard Dietrich

Third Flight
First Dan Yates, Michael Chan, Kaye Conklin, Jim Pasero
Second Knox, John Bradshaw, Russ Glasgow, Rick Whitman
Third Scott Wellls, Zia Bhati, Debbie Kitchin, Jim Kitchin

Inner Central Eastside highlighted in article

Neighborhood Notes recently went to the inner Central Eastside and did a very nice piece on how that area is transforming.

If you’re unaware of what’s going on in the area, as well as the new restaurants and coffee shops, check out their article.

Community Policing Office opens at Franz Bakery

The CEIC and Office of Neighbor Involvement have worked with Franz Bakery to open a Community Policing office in the distribution warehouse of Franz Bakery.

They will be holding an open house event on Thursday, September 2nd from 4:00pm – 7:00pm. All are welcome to attend and see the new facility which will allow police officers and ONI representatives a place to do paperwork and give them a presence in the neighborhood.

Learn more about the Invite to open house.

Road construction going on in the district

Following are expected traffic impacts from construction in the Inner Eastside for the coming weeks.

Broadway Bridge, FULL CLOSURE: Now thru September 3
Track construction is underway and the Broadway Bridge will be closed to ALL BRIDGE USERS (motor vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians) now through September 3. Detours are in place, and posted online at www.PortlandOnline.com/KeepPortlandMoving (Portland Streetcar Loop Project)

N Broadway St – Vancouver to Broadway Bridge, lane closures in both travel directions: Now thru September 3
Track infrastructure, utility, and paving work are underway. (Paving work is weather dependant.) Expect significant traffic congestion & delays. NOTE: This location will include NIGHT work. (Portland Streetcar Loop Project)

E Burnside St – 14th to 22nd, lane closures: August 23 – September 3
Old manhole abandonment work is taking place. One lane of traffic in each direction will be closed. Expect traffic congestions & delays. (Oak Basin Sewer Project)

E Burnside St – MLK to 14th, ONE-WAY eastbound: Permanently
This segment of Burnside was once Two-Way traffic, but has changed to ONE-WAY eastbound traffic permanently as part of the Burnside / Couch Couplet project’s street reconfiguration plan. NOTE: Although no travel lanes are impacted with 2 lanes maintained at all times, construction has now shifted from the north side of the street to the south side. Exercise caution when driving in the area of the work zone. (Burnside / Couch Couplet Project)

NE Davis St – MLK to Grand, CLOSED: Now thru August 27
Sewer work is underway, followed by paving work. (Paving work is weather dependant.) Expect traffic congestion & delays. (Portland Streetcar Loop Project)

NE Davis St – Grand to 6th, eastbound lane CLOSED: now thru September 3
Sewer work is underway. Eastbound travelers may use NE Everett to 6th; the Davis/6th intersection is open. (Burnside / Couch Couplet Project)

SE Elliott Ave – Hawthorne/20th to Hazel, CLOSED: Sunday, August 15, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
This street block is CLOSED for a community event to benefit the Hawthorne Boulevard Business Association. (Portland Bureau of Transportation)

SE Hawthorne Blvd – Grand to 12th, possible lane closures: Now thru August 27, 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Pavement rehabilitation work is complete and the contractor is adjusting utilities, signposts, etc. Traffic lanes should be open, but expect possible delays resulting from the construction zone. (SE Portland Pavement Preservation Project)

SE Hawthorne Blvd – 12th to 14th, possible lane closures: Now thru August 27, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Pavement rehabilitation work is complete and the contractor is adjusting utilities, signposts, etc., to be followed by permanent pavement markings. Traffic lanes should be open, but expect possible delays resulting from the construction zone. (SE Portland Pavement Preservation Project)

NE Lloyd Blvd – Grand to 11th, eastbound lane closure: Now thru December 2011
One eastbound travel lane will be closed all hours for Portland Streetcar rail line staging and storage. (Portland Streetcar Loop Project)

SE Madison St – 12th to Grand, lane closures: Now thru August 27, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Pavement rehabilitation work is underway. Traffic lanes should be open during daytime hours, but expect possible delays resulting from the construction zone. (SE Portland Pavement Preservation Project)

SE Oak St – at 10th, intersection closed: Now thru November 2010
The SE 10th and Oak Street Drop Shaft sewer crews are excavating the shaft. The intersection will be closed in all directions. Traffic will be detoured around the intersection. (Oak Basin Sewer Project)

NE Sandy Blvd – 12th to 14th, CLOSED: Permanently
This segment of Sandy is now CLOSED permanently as part of the Burnside / Couch Couplet project’s street reconfiguration plan. (Burnside / Couch Couplet Project)

NE Sandy Blvd – Westbound traffic DIVERTED to Couch at 14th Ave: Permanently
Westbound Sandy traffic is permanently DIVERTED to Couch, to 12th, to Sandy. Detour to Burnside Bridge is Sandy to Couch. (Burnside / Couch Couplet Project)

N Weidler St – Broadway to Ross, lane closures: Now thru September 3
Sidewalk, track, and utility work are underway, followed by paving work. (Paving work is weather dependant.) Expect significant traffic congestion & delays due to lane closures. (Portland Streetcar Loop Project)

Eastbound access to I-84 from Burnside Bridge
Access to I-84 from the Burnside Bridge is now Burnside St eastbound to Grand Ave northbound via a newly allowed left turn. (Burnside / Couch Couplet Project)

SE Grand Ave – Harrison to Mill, lane closures: August 27 – September 17
Sewer work is being performed, followed by water and paving work. (Paving work is weather dependent.) Expect congestion and delays. (Portland Streetcar Loop Project)

SE Grand Ave – Belmont to Pine, lane closures: Now thru September 10
Water work is being performed, followed by paving work. (Paving work is weather dependent.) Expect congestion and delays. (Portland Streetcar Loop Project)

NE MLK Blvd – Holladay to Davis, lane closures: Now thru September 10
Sewer work is being performed, followed by paving work. (Paving work is weather dependent.) Expect traffic congestion and delays. (Portland Streetcar Loop Project)

SE MLK Blvd – Ankeny to Morrison, lane closures: Now thru September 10
Sewer work is underway, followed by paving work. (Paving work is weather dependant.) Expect traffic congestion & delays. (Portland Streetcar Loop Project)

SE MLK Blvd – Main to Mill, *possible* lane closures, Now thru September 3
Sewer work is underway, followed by paving work. (Paving work is weather dependant.) Expect traffic congestion & delays. (Portland Streetcar Loop Project)

SE 10th Ave – at Oak, intersection closed: Now thru November 2010
The SE 10th and Oak Street Drop Shaft sewer crews are excavating the shaft. The intersection will be closed in all directions. Traffic will be detoured around the intersection. (Oak Basin Sewer Project)

SE 10th Ave – Pine to Stark, local access only: Now thru November 2010
For the SE 10th and Oak Street Drop Shaft project (see above item). Local access only. Expect traffic detours. (Oak Basin Sewer Project)

NE 13th Ave – Burnside to Couch, CLOSED: Permanently
This segment of 13th Ave is now CLOSED permanently as part of the street reconfiguration plan for the Burnside / Couch Couplet project. (Burnside / Couch Couplet Project)

NE 14th Ave – Burnside to Davis, ONE-WAY northbound: Permanently
This segment of 14th was once Two-Way traffic, but has changed to ONE-WAY northbound traffic permanently. (Burnside / Couch Couplet Project)

_______________________________________________________

The above information from Portland Bureau of Transportation’s “Keep Portland Moving” is expected traffic conditions for the coming week that was prepared on August 19, 2010, and is based on currently known construction traffic control plans. It is subject to change due to weather and/or other unforeseeable conditions.

Prepared by Will Stevens, Inner Eastside Keep Portland Moving, 503-823-2267.

The Portland Bureau of Transportation fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. For accommodations and additional information, contact the Title II and Title VI Coordinator at Room 1204, 1120 SW 5th Avenue, Portland, OR 97204 or by telephone at 503-823-2559, City TDD 503-823-6868.

CEIC Member unveils new book on biking

Two thirds of America’s energy needs are tied up in transportation. How we get around shapes our communities, our health and our future.

Americans dream big, but those dreams have gotten out of hand. The results: expanding waistlines, sprawling communities, vehicles so large and thirsty that wars are fought to keep them running, oil disasters and an energy plan that heats everything up to maintain a way of life. Beyond the blame, America needs real solutions: lean, clean, game-changing answers that put people on the road to health and energy independence.

Joyride: Pedaling Toward a Healthier Planet follows pioneering transportation leader Birk’s 20-year crusade to integrate bicycling into daily life. With just a table scrap of funding, Birk led a revolution that grew Portland, Oregon into a city where bicycling is a significant part of their transportation system.

Birk then hit the road, helping make communities across the nation more healthy, safe and livable. While many books extol the pain of the world’s problems, Joyride offers hope and a blueprint for changing our world for the better.

Mia Birk is the award-winning CEO and co-owner of Alta Planning + Design, a 72-person international firm dedicated to creating active communities where bicycling and walking are safe, healthy, fun, and normal daily activities. She has been involved across North America in hundreds of bicycle, pedestrian, trail, and Safe Routes to School plans, projects, and programs.

You can learn more about the book and Mia by visiting www.miabirk.com.

Open House to discuss NE Davis Improvement

What: NE Davis Street Improvements project (NE 3rd Avenue to NE Sandy Boulevard)
When: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, drop in any time from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where: Portland Bottling Company warehouse (at the large overhead door on the
south side of NE Davis between 12th and 14th avenues)
Why: The Portland Bureau of Transportation is exploring how to improve street
conditions on NE Davis between 3rd Avenue and Sandy Boulevard
(approximately NE 16th Avenue).

The goals of the NE Davis Street Improvements project are to:
• slow traffic speeds and reduce cut-through traffic
• improve conditions for bicycling and walking
• maintain truck circulation

At the open house you will identify problems and needs and brainstorm solutions. You’ll alsohave a chance to review a short-term plan to install three speed bumps between NE 12th Avenue and Sandy Boulevard to address traffic speed issues.

For more information about the
NE Davis Street Improvements project,
please contact the Project Manager:
Ellen Vanderslice, 503-823-4638 or
ellen.vanderslice@portlandoregon.gov

Big Pipe Update

Here is what’s happening with the Big-Pipe.

Outfall 30 (next to Taggart Shaft on SE McLoughlin and Taggart): The excavation for the Outfall 30 diversion structure is nearly complete. Construction crews are removing the portion of the 120 inch existing outfall pipe within the new structure in preparation for the buildout of the structure.

Outfalls 38-2 (SE 3rd between Pine and Oak Streets): A large manhole will be installed at this location during the summer of 2011.

Outfall 38-3 (SE 3rd and Oak Street): Work will begin on the addition of a large manhole at this intersection after Labor Day (September). Traffic will be restricted on SE 3rd Avenue and Oak Street will be closed. Work at this intersection could last up to 2 months.

Outfall 44A (N River and Randolph streets): Work at this location is almost complete and restoration at this site will take place this fall.

Project crews will return in the summer of 2011 to all the shaft and pipeline sites after other work is complete to remove barriers in the diversion structures that will allow the flow from the existing outfalls to enter the tunnel.

If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Caselton.

Debbie Caselton
Community Relations
Bureau of Environmental Services
211 SE Caruthers Suite 200
Portland, OR 97214
Phone: 503-823-2831
Fax: 503-823-2350
E-mail: debbie.caselton@portlandoregon.gov
Web: www.cleanriverworks.com

Construction Updates

For your viewing and driving pleasure, here are the areas to avoid:

EAST – WEST streets

Broadway Bridge, FULL CLOSURE: July 6 – September 3

In preparation for track construction the Broadway Bridge will be closed to ALL motor vehicle traffic from July 6 to September 3. NOTE: Only the south sidewalk will remain open for cyclists and pedestrians, the north sidewalk will be closed. Further details on future sidewalk impacts will be provided as soon as information becomes available. (Portland Streetcar Loop Project)

N Broadway St – 2nd to Broadway Bridge, lane closures: Now thru July 30
Sidewalk, track, and utility work is underway, followed by paving work. (Paving work is weather dependant.) Expect traffic significant congestion & delays due to lane closures. (Portland Streetcar Loop Project)

E Burnside St – MLK to 14th, ONE-WAY eastbound: Permanently
This segment of Burnside was once Two-Way traffic, but has changed to ONE-WAY eastbound traffic permanently as part of the Burnside / Couch Couplet project’s street reconfiguration plan. NOTE: Although no travel lanes are impacted, be aware of ongoing construction of north side curb extensions and exercise caution when in the area of the work zone. (Burnside / Couch Couplet Project)

E Burnside St – 19th to 22nd, lane closures: Now thru July 9
Sewer lateral work is complete. Paving work is being performed. (Paving work is weather dependant.) Traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction. Expect congestion and delays. (Oak Basin Sewer Project)
~AND~
E Burnside St – at 20th, traffic signal OFF, July 6 – 9
The intersection’s traffic signal will be turned off during work hours and controlled by flaggers for the above noted work. Use caution at intersection. (Oak Basin Sewer Project)

NE Couch St – Sandy to MLK, ONE-WAY westbound: Permanently
This segment of Couch was once Two-Way traffic, but has changed to ONE-WAY westbound traffic permanently as part of the Burnside / Couch Couplet project’s street reconfiguration plan. (Burnside / Couch Couplet Project)

NE Couch St – MLK to 3rd, CLOSED: Permanently
This segment of Couch is now CLOSED permanently as part of the Burnside / Couch Couplet project’s street reconfiguration plan. (Burnside / Couch Couplet Project)

NE Davis St – Grand to 3rd, TWO-WAY traffic: Permanently
This segment of Davis was once One-Way traffic, but has changed to TWO-WAY traffic permanently as part of the Burnside / Couch Couplet project’s street reconfiguration plan. (Burnside / Couch Couplet Project)

NE Lloyd Blvd – Grand to 11th, eastbound lane closure: Now thru December 2011
One eastbound travel lane will be closed all hours for Portland Streetcar rail line staging and storage. (Portland Streetcar Loop Project)

SE Oak St – 3rd to Grand, lane closures, Now thru July 13
Sidewalk construction and paving work is being performed. Expect traffic delays and/or potential detours. (Portland Streetcar Loop Project)

SE Oak St – at 10th, intersection closed: Now thru November 2010
The SE 10th and Oak Street Drop Shaft sewer crews are excavating the shaft. The intersection will be closed in all directions. Traffic will be detoured around the intersection. (Oak Basin Sewer Project)

SE Pine St – 14th to 16th, lane closures: Now thru July 9
Sewer lateral work is underway, followed by paving. (Paving work is weather dependent.) Street closed to through traffic, local access only. Expect detours. (Oak Basin Sewer Project)

NE Sandy Blvd – 12th to 14th, CLOSED: Permanently
This segment of Sandy is now CLOSED permanently as part of the Burnside / Couch Couplet project’s street reconfiguration plan. (Burnside / Couch Couplet Project)

NE Sandy Blvd – Westbound traffic DIVERTED to Couch St: Permanently
Westbound Sandy traffic is permanently DIVERTED to Couch, to 12th, to Sandy. Detour to Burnside Bridge is Sandy to Couch. (Burnside / Couch Couplet Project)

NE Weidler St – Wheeler to Victoria, lane closures: Now thru July 9
Utility work is being performed. Expect congestion and delays due to lane closures. (Portland Streetcar Loop Project)

Eastbound access to I-84 from Burnside Bridge
Access to I-84 from the Burnside Bridge is now Burnside St eastbound to Grand Ave northbound via a newly allowed left turn. (Burnside / Couch Couplet Project)

NORTH – SOUTH streets

SE Grand Ave – Madison to Alder, lane closures: Now thru July 9
Water work is being performed, followed by paving work. (Paving work is weather dependent.) Expect congestion and delays. (Portland Streetcar Loop Project)

NE MLK Blvd – Oregon to Lloyd, lane closures: Now thru July 30
Sewer and water work is being performed, followed by paving work. (Paving work is weather dependent.) NOTE: This work zone will have 2 lanes closed all days & all hours, and 2 lanes open thru July 16. Expect lane closures and possible detours. (Portland Streetcar Loop Project)

NE 7th Ave – Oregon to Multnomah, lane closure: Now thru July 30
Sewer work is being performed. Traffic will be limited to only one travel direction, primarily southbound. Northbound traffic will be detoured between Holladay and Multnomah. Expect lane closures and traffic delays. (Portland Streetcar Loop Project)

SE 10th Ave – at Oak, intersection closed: Now thru November 2010
The SE 10th and Oak Street Drop Shaft sewer crews are excavating the shaft. The intersection will be closed in all directions. Traffic will be detoured around the intersection. (Oak Basin Sewer Project)

SE 10th Ave – Pine to Stark, local access only: Now thru November 2010
For the SE 10th and Oak Street Drop Shaft project (see above item). Local access only. Expect traffic detours. (Oak Basin Sewer Project)

NE 13th Ave – Burnside to Couch, CLOSED: Permanently
This segment of 13th Ave is now CLOSED permanently as part of the street reconfiguration plan for the Burnside / Couch Couplet project. (Burnside / Couch Couplet Project)

NE 14th Ave – Burnside to Davis, ONE-WAY northbound: Permanently
This segment of 14th was once Two-Way traffic, but has changed to ONE-WAY northbound traffic permanently. (Burnside / Couch Couplet Project)

PCC Introduces new Resource for Businesses

On Tuesday, June 29, CEIC members had the opportunity to learn more about a great new resource Portland Community College is providing for the business community — the CLIMB Center for Advancement — when they hosted a private reception for the CEIC at CLIMB’s location,1626 SE Water Avenue (across from OMSI).

CLIMB stands for Continuous Learning for Individuals, Management and Business. Their mission is to address the workforce training and professional education needs of our region in a “one-stop shop.” The broad training areas are: health care, professional development, computers and small business development. They also offer Contract Training services to provide training for businesses and work teams.

“What we want to accomplish with CLIMB is to help local businesses succeed, help our workforce grow stronger, and help individuals reach their goals through professional development and training,“ said PCC President Preston Pulliams.

Other speakers included CEIC’s own David Lorati, PCC’s Dean of Workforce and Economic Development (and CEIC member) Pamela Murray, and the executive director of CLIMB, John Moscicki.

To learn more about what CLIMB can do for you, visit www.pcc.edu/CLIMB. (Also, look for a new website to be launched in mid-July.)