Potter Votes NO
Posted by: KarlApr 03 2008, 1:53 pm
At yesterday's City Council hearing, Mayor Potter clearly stated his opposition to moving the old Sauvie Island Bridge to create a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge across I-405. The project received incredible support from an all star lineup of people and organizations testifying 
on its behalf. But why is Mayor Potter opposed to this potential landmark project?
Potter cited concerns about the amount of money required to build this project, $5.5 million, and that these funds would be better used to build sidewalks in outer areas of Portland. He also stated that there are already two places where bicyclists and pedestrians can cross the freeway – at Everett and Glisan – clearly not understand how dangerous those crossings are. The BTA strongly supports efforts to build new sidewalks and Safe Routes to Schools – which, by the way, the Mayor opposed in the recent Safe Sound and Green Streets vote – however the financing for this project is not even eligible for these uses. Apparently the Mayor didn’t understand where the money would be coming from.
These are the sources of funds, most of which wouldn’t be available for "sidewalks for children" elsewhere in Portland:
1. Urban Renewal Tax Increment Financing ($2 million): This is property tax money that is collected within a defined district and can only be spent on capital projects within the district. It cannot be used for new sidewalks in NE Portland
2. System Development Charges ($2 million): SDCs are fees developers pay for additional infrastructure capacity that is necessitated by their developments. State law strictly governs their use and they cannot be used for maintenance. They are generally spent in areas where they were collected
3. Transportation Enhancement Funds ($1 million): These federal funds are administered by ODOT. The funds are used for projects that enhance transportation infrastructure and have typically been used on “iconic†projects with a minimum price tag. These funds are generally not used to complete neighborhood sidewalk gaps or repave gravel streets
4. Surplus Utility Fee Collections ($500,000): This is money collected from utilities such as PGE in form of fees. The City has a $28 million surplus from this source. This is the least restricted money and could actually be used on Mayor Potter’s proposed but as yet undetermined sidewalks. But only $500,000 would come from this source of money for the project, and the neighborhood is fundraising to offset demands on this source.
All totaled, this is how the $5.5 million needed for the project would be generated.
The alternative is to build a 15-foot wide concrete slab across the freeway similar to what you see crossing I-5 in North Portland. This is projected to cost $3.5 million and would require the use of the same funds.
Our choice, a $3.5 million 15-foot wide concrete slab that will take years to design, get approval and build, or a $5.5 million 30-foot wide unique iconic steel truss structure that is already built and could be installed and operational by the end of the year. In terms of image, consider this: which bridge more greatly enhances Portland’s skyline? The Marquam or the Fremont? The old Sauvie Island Bridge would create a wonderful community asset that will begin to repair the tear in the fabric of the community created by I-405.
Commissioner Saltzman also voted no but he actually supports the project. His concerns are the way the contract would be awarded. He wants there to be a competitive bidding process. There is still time to satisfy his concerns and get this project built.
So now we need to explain to the Mayor that these funds COULDN’T be used for “sidewalks for children†elsewhere in the city. Most of them must be used in this neighborhood, on this bridge or on something else, and the neighborhood has clearly expressed support for this project.
We encourage you to write to the Mayor and Commissioners indicating your support. You should also write letters to the Oregonian since they don’t seem to get it either.
Letters to the Editor of the Oregonian
letters@news.oregonian.com
Limit to 150 words; include your full name, home address and phone number
Tips on writing a good L.T.E. here
Commissioner Sam Adams
commissionersam@ci.portland.or.us
503-823-3008
Commissioner Randy Leonard
randy@ci.portland.or.us
503-823-4682
Commissioner Dan Saltzman
dan@ci.portland.or.us
503-823-4151
Commissioner Erik Sten
erik@ci.portland.or.us
503-823-3589
Mayor Tom Potter
mayorpotter@ci.portland.or.us
503-823-4127
A good suggestion for getting at least some of the $5.5 million to ureuse the Sauvie Island bridge for a crossing in NW Portland is to 'ask' the developers of the condo projects in NW to contribute. They have made millions of dollars of profits and some of the benefit of these crossing will certainly be for folks living in the Pearl. For the most part the developers are local and should have some civic responsiblity to give back part of the profits they have made in this neighborhood. (I am not certain but I believe that part of the success of the sales on these condo units had to with property tax limitations for a period of time – so the developers have certainly benefited by public polity.) It seems to me it would be good PR for them to participate in the funding of the reuse of a Portland landmark, and even some sort of supportive plaque wouldn't be out of place.
thanks for your conisderation and please pass this suggestion to the appropriate parties.
Response from the Mayor's Office to your message: http://www.portlandonline.com/mayor/index.cfm?c=38500&a=192070.
And, by the way, the mayor did not oppose the recent Safe Sound and Green Streets, he opposed the manner in which it was delivered. If it had gone to council as orginally presented, he would have voted for it.