The Bureau of Planning has canceled a community workshop that would have began a discussion about a preferred strategy to tackle a re-design of the 7 Corners intersection (where SE Division, Ladd, 20th, and 21st streets converge).
(Graphic: Bureau of Planning)
I shared the design concepts and some thoughts on this projects a few weeks ago. Judging from the comments and from feedback about the project given at the Bicycle Advisory Committee prior to that story — none of the options on the table seemed to be adequate.
Last Friday, the Bureau’s SE District Liaison Tom Armstrong sent out an email explaining that the workshop had been canceled until further noticed because he and his staff need, “additional time to address significant issues”. Among the issues listed were “bicycle circulation” and “the potential for traffic diversion to neighborhood streets”.
Armstrong’s email went on to say that any further discussion of the project needs to happen with “a more detailed understanding of the tradeoffs and impacts at the intersection, along Division, and in the surrounding neighborhoods.”
Stay tuned for notice of the workshop once it has been rescheduled.
— See more about this project on the Bureau of Planning’s website.
That corner lot at north of division & west of Ladd looks like it is about to undergo construction. That empty space could sure be useful in creating separation between Ladd and 20th. (labeled “housing”)
Bob_M,
that corner lot is already slated for a condo development and the design is pretty set in stone.. according to Tom Armstrong. I know this because someone at the bike advisory committee meeting inquired about the same thing.
I’m glad to see this design has cafe seating shown. More cafe seating in inner SE is something that Portland’s underprivileged have been fighting for since the days of Bud Clark. It’s good to see it actually happening.
Time for more creative thinking – for round 2?
(Traffic lane reductions/ road diets, mini paint/ tile roundabouts etc.?)
RE: posts #1 and 2 – To be specific, that corner is slated for a mixed-use, affordable housing development by REACH CDC. Part of the design goal (at least as far as I am aware from involvement with REACH) is to encourage bike and bus transport vs. cars …
Cecil (#5)
The claim that the housing will address a social need has nothing to do with the transportation issue. The “mixed use” infers there will be commercial enterprises and subsequently parking and cars. Unless zoning requirements are waived the enforcement of SQ FT to parking ratios will enable the coming and goings of vehicles at a corner that is already dangerously unpredictable.
It is going to take some serious creative input and planning to figure this one out, and still please all. I think for the time being, a dedicated bike L-turn signal should be installed north-bound at Clinton and Division… With cyclists taking the center of the lane…ala Williams and Killingsworth.
Dreaming BIG… big dig… Bury the roads, create parks on top.
Dare to Dream
Bob-m (Post #6)
I was not claiming anything. I was merely offering some more information about the planned development on that corner for those people who might have wanted to know more about it. I make no pretense to know to what extent it will affect traffic patterns.
As to what the term “mixed use” implies, yes, the lower floor will be non-residential. The lot is a brown field and and the agencies involved in funding the project prohibit residential units on the ground floor of projects built on brown fields.