(Photo © J. Maus)
Tomorrow the Gateway Green project will pass its most important milestone since citizen activist Linda Robinson and East Portland developer Ted Gilbert first unveiled their vision back in May 2008. A host of major electeds, supporters, and other bigwigs will come together for a ceremony to officially sign the project’s “Declaration of Cooperation.”
This declaration marks the conclusion of the Oregon Solutions process, which Gateway Green embarked on back in April 2009. At that time, Governor Ted Kulongoski made this project a high priority for the State of Oregon because he felt, “This project supports Oregon’s Sustainable Community Objectives, encompassing environmental, economic, and community objectives.”
In September of this year, Portland Parks Commissioner Nick Fish and the Portland City Council stepped up to take a key leadership role in the process, which set into motion tomorrow’s signing ceremony.
Commissioner and co-convener on the project
Jay Graves, during a site visit in February 2009.
Tomorrow’s event (to be held at Aloft Hotel at Cascade Station) will be attended by:
- Portland Parks Commissioner Nick Fish
- Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder
- Jay Graves, owner of Bike Gallery and an Oregon State Parks Commissioner
- Jason Tell, Region One Manager for the Oregon Department of Transportation
- Jeff Cogen, Multnomah County Chair
- Ted Gilbert and Linda Robinson of Friends of Gateway Green
The Declaration of Cooperation is a 25-page document that includes statements of commitment from more than two dozen organizations. Back in November, Portland City Council approved $200,000 a year to operate and maintain the site.
Gateway Green is a 35 acre parcel of land owned by ODOT that sits between the I-84 and I-205 freeways. Phase One of the project is estimated to cost $5 million and includes a host of new bike trails and bike-related amenities. According to Portland Parks and Recreation, construction could begin as soon as 2012. For more information about the project check out GatewayGreenPDX.org and browse the comprehensive coverage in our archives.