in Northwest Portland earlier tonight.
(Photo © J. Maus)
While supporters of moving the old Sauvie Island Bridge span to downtown Portland gathered for a rally tonight, Commissioner Dan Saltzman issued a press release stating his support for the plan.
Saltzman voted against the project back on April 2nd when it came up for vote in City Council. At that time he cited discomfort with how the contract for the project was drawn up and said if certain conditions could be met, he would vote in support of the project.
Here’s a blurb from the press release:
“This project is a great reuse of a historic bridge that will provide enhanced safety for bicyclists and pedestrians,” said Commissioner Saltzman, “but I was not comfortable with approving the largest no-bid contract in the City’s history without examining the options to lower the price through a competitive bidding process”
It took a bit longer than most observers expected for he and Commissioner Sam Adams to pound out an agreement, but now it seems like they’ve done it.
Here’s the key part of the press release:
During the intervening weeks, Commissioners Saltzman and Adams worked to create a proposal that moves the project forward that ensures price stability and includes a competitive bid component by:
· Requiring all funding to be in place before executing contracts associated with the project;
· Requiring formal bids for all construction related to the project; and
· Having a guaranteed maximum price for all services related to the relocation of the bridge.“We are a city of bridges and this proposal is consistent with that heritage, I look forward to seeing this bridge become Portland’s next landmark” Commissioner Saltzman commented.
I expect to know more tomorrow but I would assume that right now Adams’ office is drafting up new language for a resolution that will be in front of City Council in the next few weeks. With Commissioner Erik Sten no longer in his seat, there are four Commissioners left to vote and Adams must have two of them in his corner to pass the proposal.
I doubt Mayor Potter will reverse his “no” vote, which will likely make him the lone dissenter.
If all goes smoothly from here on out, the estimates I’ve heard are that the Sauvie span could be in place as early as this December.
For more background on this saga, see my story archives.
More coverage tomorrow…