The SK Northwest saga is over: Property owner gives up on trail fight
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Editor) on September 5th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
“We look forward to working with SK Northwest and the City as the development moves forward.”
– BTA’s metro-area advocate Emily Gardner
After a protracted legal battle that first came to light back in April of 2006, a Willamette riverfront property owner whose parcel lies in a key gap between two popular trails has relented and agreed to allow a trail to be built on their property.
The news comes from the BTA’s metro-area advocate Emily Gardner via the BTA Blog (emphasis mine):
“Earlier this year the Oregon Court of Appeals upheld the City’s ordinance that requires a Greenway Trail on the property to be developed by SK Northwest. Following that decision, SK Northwest had the option to continue fighting the trail designation by taking the case to the Oregon Supreme Court…
Instead they have chosen to build the trail alignment on their property, and work with adjacent property owners and the City of Portland to make sure the ultimate plans provide a safe connection between the end of the Eastbank Esplanade and the start of the Springwater Corridor Trail.”
Gardner, and other staff and volunteers at the BTA, along with the City of Portland have been following this and fighting for the trail for over two years. According to Gardner, another “integral component” of this effort were several uber-volunteers. She credits Ben Schonberger of Winterbrook Planning, William Kabeisman of Garvey, Schubert and Barer, Rick Nys of Greenlight Engineering, and Christine Cook, attorney at law, “for their expertise and assistance in preparing testimony at key points along the way.”
This story marks the 19th I’ve written on this saga since my initial story Springwater development may nix trail improvement was published back on April 12, 2006. That story touched off significant outcry from many in the Portland community and it feels good to know that more than two years later, the passion and hard work of local advocates, professionals, and volunteers has made such an impact.
A fully connecting trail between OMSI and the Springwater Corridor Trail is still far from reality, but it just became much more possible.
Way to go Portland. And thanks to the BTA for staying on top of this throughout.
___
[For all the background, numerous appeals, and other drama in this saga, check out my archives.]
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September 5th, 2008 16:59
YAY!!!!
Finally! Get those trailbuilders out there!!! I can't wait!
September 5th, 2008 17:00
'bout freakin' time...
now I hope a good portion of their business dries up and they go away..
September 5th, 2008 17:00
VICTORY.
September 5th, 2008 17:23
Good news. SK will now receive the benefits of the Springwater on the Willamette Trail in the form of increased property values without having exempted themselves their rightful share of the costs.
Thanks BTA for bird-dogging this one!
September 5th, 2008 17:30
Such a relief...it seems like so many things AREN'T moving forward lately, it feels good to get good news. Of course, it's still not built, but now I have some hope that we won't have to mix it up with trucks at some point in the forseeable future.
September 5th, 2008 19:02
As someone who regularly gets to play cement truck dodgems in that area armed only with a Bakfeits and my four and a half year old son I say 'ROCK & ROLL!'. About freakin' time. Good job BTA and all at City Hall for a great use of tax payers dollars.
September 5th, 2008 19:02
WTG, Emily, BTA and everyone who worked on this!
Years from now SK will wonder what they were ever thinking by opposing this trial.
It will increase their connection to the community, the stature of their business, and the value of their property.
September 5th, 2008 19:37
As to SK's business, if it does turn out to be necessary to move semi's back and forth across the bike path going to and from the river, has there been any discussion about how the company will be able to do that safely?
Will it require stop signs on either side of their property, stoplights, or will flaggers be required to hold up bike lane traffic each time the company needs to cross the path?
September 5th, 2008 22:31
MAZEL TOV!
Congrats to Emily, BTA, and the awesome volunteers. I'm proud of your work
September 5th, 2008 22:37
This is great news...
Thanks to Ben at Winterbrook for all his help...I know he put in some serious time on this issue.
September 5th, 2008 23:24
I am so happy to hear this. IF SK had fought this to the bitter end and prevailed, pretty much all planning would prove moot if it didnt meet the whims//desires of commercial property owners.
A properties development will trigger the alignments being secured. a property that is not redeveloped will go on as before. I suspect SK has figured a way to use te property under the current characteristics. Its easier than fighting.
September 6th, 2008 00:25
Agree with Jessica (#5)
Hopefully they can find a way to link the two paths ASAP so the Caruthers stop sign drama will go away, much to the delight of both truckers and riders. ;p
September 6th, 2008 08:00
Very cool...I just rode this gap last week with my daughter and was wishing desperately for a path. This is great news.
September 6th, 2008 08:23
Whoop! Whoop!
(Showing my age here)
Great news -- thanks to all who had a hand in bringing it about.
September 6th, 2008 08:32
This is great for users of the trail. Does anybody know what will happen with the Ross Island concrete factory? The maps show the trail going straight through it. I couldn't find anything online that talks about that aspect of the connection.
September 6th, 2008 11:44
ditto on the thanks to all! This connection will be wonderful.
September 7th, 2008 01:46
I wonder why they gave up? Maybe fear of imminent domain? Basic economics? Anyways, yay peeps. I hope it is the best thing ever.
September 7th, 2008 17:15
I think eminent domain was the next step. I know the local Gov't has no problem with that every time they want to widen the street here in Dallas County TX.
September 7th, 2008 21:46
Like Jonathan says, it's far from over. The adjacent Already developed) parcel is owned by the same guy, and he was often cited by SK NW's owner as the main reason why the trail was being opposed.
On a darker note, this is still very bad news for folks who love the river. SK plans to sell (possibly rent) and perform maintenance on personal watercraft at this location, right at the foot of Ross Island. Your idyllic paddle may now be impossible due to the whine of Jet Skis.
September 8th, 2008 08:48
Is this at all related to the giant boat house proposed down by Ross Island area of the East shore of the Willamette river? The six story boathouse looks like a massive ugly playground for boats that cause a lot of pollution and are not well regulated. I don't want a boats v. bikes thing to grow, but it looks like the city and county will sell out to get anything built in the name of progress.
September 8th, 2008 10:08
Tom # 15: "Does anybody know what will happen with the Ross Island concrete factory?"
It will likely continue to operate exactly as it does now, with no trail, for the next 30 years.
September 8th, 2008 12:32
Ha Ha SK. Have fun paying your attorneys!
September 14th, 2008 15:06
I'd like to think that the idea of bettering your entire community at the expense of your own self-serving vision was what finally broke the SK camel's back, but I'm glad the years of pressure and legal action paid off regardless. We got our way, let's be gracious winners and keep moving forward.