Glad Saturday everybody.
Since I’ve been protecting this diverter factor so carefully, I figured I would as nicely preserve holding the thread till the very finish. Meaning I’ve an replace on the story that I’ll share now as a substitute of ready for Monday morning.
First, for my newest pondering on the subject, don’t miss my earlier story and/or the seven-minute explainer video I shared on Instagram Friday afternoon. When you’ve carried out that, scroll down for the large replace…
Friday evening simply after 8:30 pm I obtained an electronic mail from Deputy Metropolis Administrator of Public Works Priya Dhanapal (Public Works is the service space that features the Portland Bureau of Transportation, so Dhanapal is basically the boss of PBOT). Right here’s the textual content of that electronic mail:
“There aren’t any plans to take away the diverters this weekend. The Metropolis is coordinating logistics to find out the timing of elimination and updates shall be offered as they’re obtainable.”
My first response to this was a textual content to Connor Lennon, who had been occupying the diverter intersection at NW twentieth and Everett since Thursday morning. I needed to let Connor know he may go residence and get some relaxation as a result of there was not an imminent menace of diverter elimination.
The Metropolis of Portland stated the diverters could be eliminated final week. So for folk who don’t like that plan, this can be a win. It reveals how an knowledgeable neighborhood can’t be run over by folks in energy. However the battle to achieve a greater resolution that addresses considerations the diverters have raised on the Portland Options workplace and Portland Police Bureau, will not be over.
The e-mail from Dhanapal validated a tip I obtained Thursday evening a couple of pause. It is sensible to me and it’s the end result I’ve predicted for just a few days. Why? As a result of the political optics round this determination to take away the diverters has been dangerous from the beginning. To be clear, anybody related to the removals as initially deliberate would endure a really unfavourable political consequence. That’s simply my opinion, but it surely’s one fashioned by an amazing quantity of perspective and expertise based mostly on years of engaged on this difficulty on this neighborhood. From the second I heard about this plan it didn’t scent proper, and the evasiveness I’ve skilled from the Metropolis of Portland (Portland Options and Mayor’s workplace particularly) in attempting to realize extra readability about it has solely cemented my views.
A pause is what has all the time made probably the most sense — particularly as a result of there shall be three conferences coming subsequent week the place metropolis councilors, metropolis directors, and Mayor Wilson may have a chance to talk to one another publicly and on the report about this difficulty.
If I used to be betting on this, I’d say that on Monday we’ll obtain some type of written memo from DCA Dhanapal and/or the Mayor’s Workplace that lays out their argument for eradicating the diverters. Both that, or they’ll lay out a brand new plan in partnership with PBOT for a quick public outreach course of to assist higher inform their objectives and to steer the politics in a extra constructive route. We’ll see what occurs.
Thanks for following together with all this. I extremely advocate doing a little background studying in case you’re lower than velocity on this story. See all my posts about it right here. Get pleasure from your weekend!
UPDATE 11:19 am: In associated information, the Pals of Sofa Park President Kara Colley has issued a letter to her group saying she helps the diverters. That is notable as a result of Portland Options, the Portland Police Bureau, and Mayor Wilson’s workplace have stated that crime at Sofa Park is a key a part of their rationale for eradicating the diverters. Colley has been outspoken about crime and open drug us within the park, however she believes the diverters are an excellent factor for her neighborhood.
Beneath are excerpts from Colley’s “From the President’s Desk” notice despatched to members this morning:
“I believe calmer, slower automobile visitors makes our neighborhood safer and extra livable… I wish to be clear that I assist the Portland Police Bureau and the Central Precinct Bike Patrol… I do know that there’s frequent shoplifting and different crime proper outdoors the Stadium Fred Meyer. I simply don’t suppose that eradicating the diverters will scale back crime. All diverters should move police/hearth rules earlier than they’re put in, and police can drive across the diverters when mandatory.
I heard an attention-grabbing thought from a neighbor: The town may depart the diverters in place and take away one parking house and allocate that house to emergency automobiles solely. I’m in a “sure, and” second right here. I need the PPB to maintain our neighborhood secure and I need the visitors diverters to decelerate visitors on NW twentieth.”
