I noticed on Friday that PDOT had finally installed parking signs and meters along Bond Ave. in the South Waterfront. Most importantly, unlike Moody Ave., these metered spots are between 2 and 3 hrs:

I’ve been living and working in the South Waterfront for around 6 months now and every morning this stretch of Bond is packed with cars. I know it’s not construction workers, they have a lot, a big one. I know it’s not the retailers of South Waterfront - they are the ones who have been so supportive of abolishing the 11 hr parking in the neighborhood. Basically, all those OHSU employees have to find somewhere else to park now. Although I can’t blame them, I probably would have done the same thing in their shoes. This is a great thing for the neighborhood, now our guests won’t have to search for hours to find parking and more people can come frequent the retail shops, like Le Hana and the new Bambuza Vietnam Bistro opening next week, without getting too frustrated.

Now the city just needs to change the 11 hr parking on Moody and we’ll be all set.

Just a little FYI, the Portland Streetcar service south of Market St. will be interrupted from March 28th through March 30th 2008.  They will be laying the tracks for the MAX line that runs along SW 6th Ave., which will intersect with the Streetcar track.  Therefore the Streetcar will not run any further South during that weekend.  However there will be shuttle buses that will service the streetcar line.

Here are a couple of fliers provided by Portland Streetcar to help you navigate during that particular weekend.

streetcar-service-interruption-poster-2008.pdf

streetcar-with-lowell-ext-bus-bridge-2008.pdf

Below are upcoming open houses that will provide residents with the opportunity to give feedback and learn more about current transportation proposals. We hope to see many of you at these meetings.

• Portland - Milwaukie Light Rail Project

o Thursday, March 27th: 6 - 7:30 PM
o Umpqua Bank, 3606 SW Bond Ave.
o For the Flier and contact information, please click here.

• PDOT Survey on SWF Transportation Issues

o The City of Portland wants to learn more about transportation issues facing residents and employees of the South Waterfront district. Your feedback will help the city plan for and address transportation issues that are unique to the South Waterfront. This survey takes about 5 minutes, is completely confidential and should be taken by April 1st, 2008.
o If you have any questions, please contact Dan Bower with the Portland Office of Transportation - dan.bower@pdxtrans.org or 503.823.5667
o Please click here to take the survey: http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB227C7KHMQ9X

Thank you in advance for taking the time to help make our community better.

We in the SWF 20/20 Health, Wellness and Social Spaces Committee are excited about the South Waterfront Wine and Dine Excursion #1.
The idea is simple: you and your South Waterfront friends and neighbors will meet at the streetcar stop at SW Moody and Gibbs (right next to OHSU’s Center for Health and Healing) at 6:00 pm on February 21st. You’ll get on the next streetcar and ride together to Bay 13 Restaurant in the Pearl District, giving yourself over to pleasant conversation for the entire ride rather than battling traffic and hunting for parking.
At Bay 13, you’ll enjoy contemporary seafood dishes with international influences and a free dessert with your purchase of an entrée. When’s it’s all over, you’ll ride the rails back home. What could be simpler? If you’d like to join in the fun, please RSVP to Michelle Walsh at 503.226.4941. Seating is limited to twenty, so act now! Residents only.

Transportation and green spaces sure seem to be the hot topic in the South Waterfront lately. Coming up on Thursday there will be a Citizen Advisory Committee meeting that is open to the public to provide input about the Portland to Milwaukie Max route - which will most likely cross the river somewhere near the South Waterfront. This will be interesting to watch and see where exactly the route will lie. Meeting takes place Thursday January 24th, 6-8pm at the SMILE Station (8210 SE 13th Ave). Attached is a PDF of the proposed agenda for this meeting: 24jan08-draft.pdf.

On Thursday November 15th, 2007 the Zidell Marine Corporation launched the Lovel Briere, a 52,000 barrel, double hull ocean tanker barge. This particular barge is 289 FT by 78 FT by 24FT and will be used to transport various petroleum products up and down the Pacific Coast. Even though the purpose of this vessel is not exactly in line with the sustainable living that is being implemented in South Waterfront, I think we can all appreciate the engineering and architectural feats that are happening here in our own neighborhood. On average Zidell completes one barge every 10 to 14 months, which is rarer than full moons or shooting stars. If you missed the launch last Thursday be sure to check out the gallery for pictures from our local photographer Kent Anderson, otherwise maybe we will see you at next year’s launch party!