The letter and 60 business owners that changed PBOT’s mind on 28th Ave – UPDATED

The 60 businesses on this map all signed a letter to PBOT in opposition to plans that would have replaced auto parking with a buffered bike lane.

“The removal of substantial amounts of parking puts our area at a competitive disadvantage…”
— from a letter to PBOT signed by 60 businesses

On Friday we reported that the Bureau of Transportation — under sharp pressure from business owners — decided to scrap a proposal that would have created a buffered bike lane on one side of 28th Avenue between Stark and Sandy. PBOT was poised to consider a bike lane in the space currently occupied by 100 curbside auto parking spaces; but they showed up to the meeting of their 20s Bikeway Project Stakeholder Advisory Committee with a new plan (a.k.a. a “draft recommendation”).

The new recommendation would maintain 28th as an “enhanced shared roadway” (where auto and bike traffic share the same space, just like they do now) and direct bicycle riders to a residential side street two blocks east. Suffice it to say a lot of readers weren’t happy with that decision.

At the meeting where the new recommendation was unveiled, PBOT was presented with a petition signed by numerous businesses along 28th. We didn’t receive a copy of that petition at the meeting so it wasn’t included in Friday’s story. However, many of you expressed interest in seeing the text of the letter and the complete list of business that expressed opposition to the bike lane. We have since obtained photos of the letter and its signatories from an unnamed source who was at the meeting. We transcribed the letter and the names and have shared the information below:

Mr. Rich Newlands
Portland Bureau of Transportation

The purpose of this letter is to communicate our primary interests in regards to the proposed bikeway between I-84 and SE Stark. The business community’s overriding concern along the 28th Avenue corridor is the safety of our neighbors, visitors and employees, no matter the mode of transport — pedestrian, bicycle, or vehicle. We support a bikeway that does not remove curbside parking on 28th Avenue. We will continue to support any alignment that does not impact parking on 28th Avenue and in the meantime will continue to provide our own extensive accommodation of bicyclists in our district.

Curbside auto parking along the short section of 28th between Sandy and Stark is already minimal and will become further stressed as the nearly 200 nearby new apartments, now nearing completion, are occupied by tenants. Very little off-street parking is provided for these apartments. Recent studies show that at least seventy percent of the new tenants will own automobiles and will have to depend on street parking (City of Portland Parking Impacts for new TOD Along Portland Inner Corridors by David Evans and Assoc., November 2012). Due to new housing and pre-existing housing infill, surrounding neighborhood streets already experience a serious shortage of on-street parking.

As business and property owners we are concerned with the safety, vitality, and livability of our neighborhood. The proposal to remove parking along one side of 28th Ave. is only going to add to the stress of the neighborhood with additional cars trying to find parking in the neighborhood. Parking removal will force cars into the neighborhood to look for parking. Many of these side streets are narrow and not designed to accommodate more vehicular traffic. This will create a dangerous and stressful environment for bicyclist, pedestrians and the neighborhood residents.

We have invested heavily in our neighborhood to make it the very popular dining and entertainment destination it has become. Our businesses have attracted a loyal clientele and customer base that come from all over the metro area and beyond. Our district competes with others in the city that have better transportation infrastructure. The removal of substantial amounts of parking puts our area at a competitive disadvantage and it will make our daily business operations more difficult by forcing delivery and tradesman vehicles onto overcrowded neighborhood side streets.

We support a shared bikeway on 28th avenue, with an enhanced greenway for bicyclist on 30th Ave., lowering the speed limit on 28th Ave. and installing crosswalks and traffic calming devices along this route to make a safer route for bicyclists and pedestrians.

We look forward to further neighborhood enhancements including a bikeway that will complement the district without imposing undue hardships on business vitality and neighborhood livability. In this context we support the bikeway that does not remove any parking on 28th Avenue between Sandy and Stark.

Thank you,
Concerned business owners along NE 28th Ave opposed to parking removal along 28th between Sandy and Stark street

And here are the 60 businesses that signed onto the letter:

  • Artemisia (110 SE 28th)
  • B.C. Body & Paint (2712 E Burnside)
  • Blue Goose (2725 SE Ankeny)
  • Bridgetown Aikido (336 NE 28th)
  • BRM (216 & 218 SE 28th)
  • Captured by Porches (113 SE 28th) (The owners of this business did not sign the petition; someone saying he’s the owner of the Captured Beer Bus, an independently owned business at this site, says he is removing his name from the petition)
  • Cardinal Club (18 NE 28th)
  • Cheese & Cracker (22 SE 28th)
  • Circle Health Clinic (316 NE 28th)
  • City State Diner (128 NE 28th)
  • Coalition Brewing (2724 SE Ankeny)
  • Cream (2730 E Burnside)
  • Crema (2728 SE Ankeny)
  • Crossfit Stumptown (535 NE 28th)
  • Dove Vivi (2727 NE Glisan)
  • Fonda Rosa (108 NE 28th)
  • George Rogers (1 SE 28th)
  • Glisan Quick Wash (500 NE 28th)
  • Grilled Cheese Grill (113 SE 28th Ave)
  • Holiday Hair Studio (2802 SE Ankeny)
  • Holman’s (15 SE 28th)
  • Innerweave Massage (812 NE 28th)
  • Interweave (812 NE 28th)
  • Inversal AM Can LTD (5 SE 28th., Suite 1)
  • Katie O’Brien’s (2809 NE Sandy)
  • Kuhnhausen’s Furniture (2640 E Burnside)
  • La Buca (40 NE 28th)
  • Laurelhurst Theater (2735 E Burnside)
  • Marina Kafe (814 NE 28th)
  • Meadowlark Preschool (616 NE 28th)
  • Migration Brewing (2828 NE Glisan)
  • Naui Waddoups Counseling (2705 E Burnside)
  • OPAL 28 (510 NE 28th)
  • OPI (2705 E Burnside)
  • Organic Partners (2705 E Burnside, Ste 210)
  • PaaDee (6 SE 28th)* (UPDATE: PaaDee owner Earl Ninsom says he signed the petition in mistake and didn’t read it carefully. He has requested to be taken off the list — Jonathan)
  • Pizzicato Pizza (2811 E Burnside)
  • Polliwog (234 NE 28th)
  • Pre1 Software (2705 E Burnside)
  • Paul Leverton Design (3210 SE Ankeny)
  • Red Flag (344 NE 28th)
  • Richard Leipzig CPA (2705 E Burnside)
  • Ruby’s Daycare for Dogs (601 NE 28th)
  • Side Street Gallery (140 SE 28th)
  • Smut (7 SE 28th)
  • Spring Pilates Studio (12 SE 28th)
  • Staccato Gelato (232 NE 28th)
  • Stammtisch (401 NE 28th)
  • Starbucks (2803 E Burnside) (Signed by a franchise owner, not corporate hq)
  • Steak Frites PDX (113 SE 28th)
  • Tabla (200 NE 28th)
  • Tapalaya (28 NE 28th)
  • Therapydia Portland (2808 E Burnside)
  • Vino (137 SE 28th)
  • Vintage Vendors (2800 NE Sandy)
  • Wanderlust (2804 SE Ankeny)
  • WK (2810 NE Everett)
  • Wooptido (24 NE 28th)
  • Youth Guidance (2730 NE Flanders)
  • Zim Zim (144 NE 28th)

61 businesses is quite a show of force. Seeing all of them in a list and viewing them on a map illustrates the stranglehold that parking has over transportation planning in Portland right now.

As for this specific project, the discussion isn’t over. The Stakeholder Advisory Committee hasn’t endorsed PBOT’s latest recommendation and it’s not yet been made final. Also, we look forward to sharing more perspectives on this issue directly from 28th Avenue business owners. Some who consider themselves bike-friendly are also on this list and they’d like an opportunity to further explain their position. Stay tuned.

— Read more of our 20s Bikeway Project coverage here.

CORRECTION: This post originally included Wolf & Bear’s on the list of businesses that had signed the petition. We have since heard from the owner that they didn’t sign anything and were completely unaware of the petition. Upon further investigation we realized an employee had signed it for them without their permission (they’re the only business not represented by an owner). Therefore, we’ve removed their name from the list. The owner, Jeremy Garb, says, “We would love to have a bike lane on 28th. Why on earth would we be against that?”

UPDATE: Paadee owner Earn Ninsom claims he signed the petition by mistake. Here’s his message:

“I have been approached by Laurelhurst theater’s owner twice on my busy time, they informed that 30th would be a better and safer street to add bike lane instead of 28th which i did agree and then signed the paper. I do apologize if my mistaken had upset Portland bikers. I will write a letter/call the city again tomorrow to take us off this list.”

UPDATE: Someone introducing himself as Brian, owner of the Captured Beer Bus, writes in a comment on a different post that he is taking his business’ name off the petition.

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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Vanessa renwick
9 years ago

Happy to not see Beulahland on that list. Sad to see Wolf and Bear* and the 60 other businesses that signed the letter. They are all shooting themselves in the foot and have no vision for a better Portland to come.

**PLEASE NOTE: Wolf & Bear owners did not sign the petition. An employee did so without their permission and they’ve requested to be removed from the list. We regret any confusion. — Jonathan**

Todd Hudson
Todd Hudson
9 years ago

Came here to say the same thing about Beulahland!

Adron
9 years ago
Reply to  Todd Hudson

Ditto!

Vanessa renwick
9 years ago

I just wrote to Wolf and Bear to ask them why they signed the letter. They responded with:
We never signed anything of the sort and honestly know nothing about that petition. Very lame someone would put us on that list.

Honestly haven’t heard a thing about this. Do you know how to get in touch with the folks responsible for this?

spare_wheel
spare_wheel
9 years ago

do you have an email?

Adron
9 years ago

That sounds really bad. We need to out whoever setup this bullshit if they’re just arbitrarily putting companies names on the list!!!

Adron
9 years ago

That sounds really bad. We need to out whoever setup this up if they’re just arbitrarily putting companies names on the list!!!

peejay
peejay
9 years ago

This is really troubling, and if business names are being used without permission, this is a form of fraud. It would be really important to know who initiated the letter, who actually signed on, and whose name was used without permission.

Gregg
9 years ago

Jonathan- I’d love to hear a follow up. Maybe whoever sent this letter to the city fabricated the signatures on some of the businesses?
Is there a ScAnDaL???

spare_wheel
spare_wheel
9 years ago

i spoke to someone at wold and bears on 28th and they did not know the position of the owners. i’m going to contact the owners. the last think i want to do is boycott someone who did not actually sign the petition.

Adams Carroll (News Intern)

I figured out what happened. An employee signed for Wolf & Bears. They’re the only business listed with an employees signature, not an owner.

I’ve edited the map and the story and offered a correction at the bottom of the post.

And I’m in touch with the owners of Wolf & Bears. They support a bike lane.

spare_wheel
spare_wheel
9 years ago

as a long time customer this makes me very happy.

Bjorn
Bjorn
9 years ago

Whoever runs Wolf and Bear’s facebook page just told me that they didn’t sign anything and that they are very frustrated by the negative press they are getting as a result of their name being associated with the petition, I wonder how many of the businesses didn’t really sign it?

Todd Boulanger
Todd Boulanger
9 years ago

Update – Wold and Bear owner did not sign petition BP reports.

John
John
9 years ago

I see that Pambiche isn’t on this list. I know where I’m having dinner tonight.

Adron
9 years ago
Reply to  John

Bring your helmet, you’ll get a discount too! 🙂 Pambiche ROCKS!

Chris Anderson
9 years ago
Reply to  John

Mmm, Navarre for me please.

Bruce
Bruce
9 years ago

Thanks for posting the list, Jonathan.

||”Many of these side streets are narrow and not designed to accommodate more vehicular traffic.”

Bikes are vehicles, too. Given the three options (car lanes, bike lane, car parking), why wouldn’t they shove the one that isn’t directly used for transportation (the parking) onto the side street?

Steven Hanlow
Steven Hanlow
9 years ago
Reply to  Bruce

That’s brilliant. To really get the point across, PBOParking could turn the auto lanes into center parking lanes on 28th to double capacity! Now, for those pesky, greedy pedestrians with their sidewalk space.

paikikala
paikikala
9 years ago
Reply to  Steven Hanlow

You’re assertion needs to be explained. Center parking on 28th? pboparkng? is this snark or confusion?

Any side street that is at least 36 feet wide could be repurposed to have one side as angle parking if made into a one-way street. Angle parking on one side could add up to 25% more parking on that side, but is limited by driveways. The extra space on Hoyt, Buxton, Irving, Ankeny, Couch (if trucks can be figured out), Pacific/27th could all be repurposed this way. It would not replace all lost parking, but could mitigate up to half of it.

BIKELEPTIC
9 years ago

Thanks for supplying a list of businesses I will no longer be visiting. It’s hilarious that all the food carts were in opposition of it when their biz relies a lot on bikes & peds. Making it an unfriendly street to that kind of traffic is not really good for them!

Spiffy
Spiffy
9 years ago
Reply to  BIKELEPTIC

I had the same thought about the carts… I didn’t expect them to be in the list…

gutterbunny
9 years ago
Reply to  BIKELEPTIC

One also has to ask if food carts really count for much as a neighborhood stakeholder to begin with.

I’m not saying that they shouldn’t have any voice, but there is often a large turn over rate, and in many cases they’re brought into empty lots until a more profitable use for the property owners presents itself.

Should their opinion even be considered at all? If they really don’t like what happens. They are the easiest of all “stakeholders” to uproot and find spot more to their liking as well. Just an hour or two (depending on traffic) with 1/2 truck with a trailer hitch and problem solved.

I’m just wondering exactly how much stock you put into a carts opinion of long term planning for a neighborhood. Should they carry as much weight as the brick and mortar businesses and residents of the neighborhood who have much more at stake?

davemess
davemess
9 years ago
Reply to  gutterbunny

Yes, now the pod owners is a different story. Our neighborhood has had a very positive opinion and experience with Cartlandia. There is an owner who cares about his surroundings and really wants to improve the neighborhood.

Yes, I think the vast majority of carts would uproot in a heartbeat if they could find a better lot/pod.

Nick Falbo
Nick Falbo
9 years ago

It may not look like it, but this is a great opportunity.

These 61 businesses have come together to think and discuss the future of their street. They’re willing to look at alternatives, weight the pros and cons, and consider changes to the street that they call home. It just so happens that they didn’t like what they saw in the buffered bike lane proposal, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t willing to consider an alternative street design.

If these businesses can pressure PBOT away from bike lanes, they can also pressure PBOT toward something else. Is it possible they would be willing to consider Jonathan’s pitch for a slow shared street from last week?

Nick
Nick
9 years ago
Reply to  Nick Falbo

I agree. The wording in the letter expressed a thoughtful approach towards their perception of 28th, albeit one many of us disagree with. Keeping an open and honest dialogue is more mutually beneficial than emotionally-charged boycotts that shutter-up otherwise good businesses.

9watts
9watts
9 years ago
Reply to  Nick

“The wording in the letter expressed a thoughtful approach towards their perception of 28th”

Not sure what you meant by that, but I thought it was pretty heavy on the buzzwords. I feel the third paragraph is where they show their true colors: Concern for “safety, vitality, and livability of our neighborhood” is difficult for me to square with their Cars Über Alles position. The authors’ view of the world seems to pivot around one concept: PARKING CARS, which they admit “will create a dangerous and stressful environment for bicyclist, pedestrians and the neighborhood residents.” But apparently *only* if parking on 28th is removed?!

Nick
Nick
9 years ago
Reply to  9watts

Amazing how much changes in one day. This is sounding less like a collective thoughtful approach and more like a “please quickly sign this petition” signature grab.

spare_wheel
spare_wheel
9 years ago
Reply to  Nick Falbo

a neutral position would have been understandable for someone who truly prefers the 30th and traffic calming option. imo, signing a petition to pbot in opposition of a bike lane is anti-bike regardless of and tepid statements of support for crosswalks and traffic calming

would you feel the same way if “stakeholders” had convinced pbot to drop williams improvements while offering support for crosswalks and rodney as evidence of their pro-bike position?

spare_wheel
spare_wheel
9 years ago

Jonathan just saved me a trip to 1120 SW 5th to put in a public records request.

I’m glad that Bamboo Sushi and whole paycheck are not on the list.
I’m surprised to see Wolf and Bears on the list. Oh well…Gonzo is getting my business from now on.

Please join me in boycotting each and every one of these 61 businesses!

BIKELEPTIC
9 years ago
Reply to  spare_wheel

whole paycheck has a whole parking lot.

Reza
Reza
9 years ago
Reply to  BIKELEPTIC

That didn’t stop Holman’s from opposing the removal of on-street parking.

nuovorecord
nuovorecord
9 years ago
Reply to  spare_wheel

“Please join me in boycotting each and every one of these 61 businesses!’

As others have said, that doesn’t seem like a very effective strategy. Why not work with them to help find a mutually agreeable solution. How about offering to conduct a survey of patrons on how they got to 28th? Is there any mode choice information at all informing this discussion?

Chris Shaffer
Chris Shaffer
9 years ago
Reply to  spare_wheel

See above. Wolf and Bear were apparently put on the list without their knowledge or permission.

spare_wheel
spare_wheel
9 years ago
Reply to  Chris Shaffer

see my comment above. i’m not going to boycott anyone i’m not sure signed the petition.

Bjorn
Bjorn
9 years ago
Reply to  spare_wheel

Whoever runs wolf and bears facebook page just messaged me back that they did not sign the petition and that they are very frustrated that their name is being associated with it. I wonder how many of these businesses really signed. Holman’s likely did sign as they have been vocal opponents of safety improvements along 28th but some of the others may have had their names used without permission.

Adams Carroll (News Intern)
Reply to  Bjorn

I think I figured it out. An employee signed for Wolf & Bears. They’re the only business listed with an employees signature, not an owner.

I’ve edited the map and the story and offered a correction at the bottom of the post.

And I’m in touch with the owners of Wolf & Bears. They support a bike lane.

Scott H
Scott H
9 years ago

Alright then, keep your parking spots. Lower the speed limit to 10 mph.

Adron
9 years ago
Reply to  Scott H

+1 yes please. Also police the hell out of it. If we could get a diverter mid-street I’d be even MORE ok with dropping the speed limit and no bike-way/lane.

q`Tzal
q`Tzal
9 years ago
Reply to  Scott H

Ride up and down 28th slowly and outside the door zone as required by law.
Rinse and repeat until desired result is achieved.

Reza
Reza
9 years ago

I find it humorous that businesses on Glisan signed this (like Dove Vivi and Migration), when THEY HAVE A BIKE LANE in front of their property!

davemess
davemess
9 years ago
Reply to  Reza

And use their parking lot as outdoor seating……

DUI
DUI
9 years ago

Interesting to see all of the businesses that serve alcohol also seem to prefer that their customers drive.

Adron
9 years ago
Reply to  DUI

Maybe if the police setup some DUI strings they might start changing their minds. Let a few lawsuits fly and they’ll drop their insistence on parking in a heart beat.

gutterbunny
9 years ago
Reply to  DUI

Well, not to burst your bubble (hick up), but an estimated 40% of bicycle fatalities the bicycle rider has been drinking.

Psyfalcon
Psyfalcon
9 years ago
Reply to  gutterbunny

But most of those aren’t killing another person with them.

A bus or taxi would be preferable to a drunk cyclist killing themselves, but both options are better than taking other people out with them.

q`Tzal
q`Tzal
9 years ago
Reply to  gutterbunny

Where are these “drunk cyclist fatalities” statistics?

I’ve always made the unfounded assumption that a person who drank enough to crash their bicycle isn’t going to have got far from the point of inebriation nor be riding long enough to get the inertia to guarantee killing themselves.

Of course I’m thinking of sloppy silly drunk not argry confrontational drunk who was going to get beat up anyways.

Nathan Hinkle (from The Bike Light Database)
Reply to  q`Tzal

I don’t have time to dig through myself at the moment, but you can find this information (and more) in the national Fatal Accident Reporting System, and see if the claim is correct.

gutterbunny
9 years ago
Reply to  q`Tzal

It’s one of the stats that is from one or more of the helmet effectiveness studies. My 40% was a rough estimate from different studies where it the numbers ran from 1/3 (or 33%) to more than half (50%).

Here’s the link to the overview of the studies that included alcohol. http://www.cyclehelmets.org/1262.html

And to be fair alcohol and drug use are kind of lumped together with the stats. But regardless, it’s a pretty sobering (pun intended) little factoid for you.

Reza
Reza
9 years ago

I’m really disappointed about some of the businesses on this list (Laurelhurst, Migration, Dove Vivi, City State). I do like that Ken’s Pizza didn’t sign it.

Dan Morrison
Dan Morrison
9 years ago
Reply to  Reza

Migration is garbage.

GlowBoy
GlowBoy
9 years ago

Yep, lower the speed limit to parking-lot speeds. Because that’s what they’re saying 28th Avenue basically is.

I’m disappointed but not surprised so many storefront businesses are on the list. What both disappoints and surprises me is to see food carts on the list too.

Time for a letter to the Laurelhurst theater, reminding them that (a) in the last 10 years I’ve arrived at their business more often by bike than by car, and (b) getting there from Brooklyn by bike is fairly sucky due to the lack of a good N-S route in the twenties. Having to jog 2 blocks out of my way to 30th isn’t the end of the world, but it certainly is a substantial inconvenience when I’d then have to get back across car-dominated 28th to reach the Laurelhurst. Why not make cars go 2 blocks out of their way to park?

Bruce
Bruce
9 years ago

Sad to see so many of my favorite places on this list. Especially Tapalaya, who has all-night happy hour for bikers one night a week. And food carts, where so much of their business comes from bike commuters.

As someone who frequents the area, I’m starting a list of shops & restaurants who’s names I *don’t* see on this list.

*Alma Chocolate
*Bamboo Sushi
*Beulahland
*Chopsticks Express II
*Edible Arrangements
*Hollywood Vintage
*I’ve Been Framed
*K & T Market & DEli
*Ken’s Artisan Pizza
*Navarre
*Pambiche
*Philo House Thrift Shop
*Plaid Pantry
*Rx Missionary Chocolates
*Whole Foods

I still won’t shop at plaid pantry, but I’m going to start frequenting the other establishments a lot more. The petition businesses, on the other hand, can go park off.

Spiffy
Spiffy
9 years ago
Reply to  Bruce

what’s wrong with Plaid? they’ve been adding a lot of bike amenities lately…

Bruce
Bruce
9 years ago
Reply to  Spiffy

To be honest, I know next to nothing about them, I just tend to avoid chains, and K&T across the street is always super friendly. Didn’t know how bike-friendly Plaid is, or anything about their opposition to the CRC. I’ll read up on it…thanks spiffy & bjorn!

Erin
Erin
9 years ago
Reply to  Bruce

Plaid is locally owned. Please support them over 7-11 and other chains!

Bjorn
Bjorn
9 years ago
Reply to  Bruce

not sure why anyone would be avoiding plaid, they are great and they were huge in helping to head off the CRC.

Jude
Jude
9 years ago
Reply to  Bruce

Hey Bruce! Add Urban Nest Realty to the list! They are on 28th & Everett. A really cool neighborhood real estate shop. Now I know where I will go when i’m ready to buy a house!

Cory Poole
Cory Poole
9 years ago

I have already called two of the businesses that I frequent on that list to tell them how sad I am that they did not side with bikes on this one. I tell them how much I would like for my six year old to ride the whole way to get ice cream or a hot chocolate but the last bit is just to scary for a kid.
Don’t ignore these business let them know who you are and that you come by bike.

lyle w.
lyle w.
9 years ago

I wonder how many of these business owners who are opposing this are not from Portland, and moved here within the last decade, knowing full-well the reputation this city has for being a cycling-hub, and knowing that the basic cultural core was developed due to cycling being so valued here. Especially inner-SE, apart from every other neighborhood in the entire metro area.

All I gotta say is, it must be nice. Enjoy all that business you’re making off this city.

i ride my bike
i ride my bike
9 years ago
Reply to  lyle w.

Its the long time businesses with old owners that are most anti-bike.

spare_wheel
spare_wheel
9 years ago

List of some nearby alternatives:

Instead of Captured by Porches, Migration and Coalition try Basecamp, Fire on the Mountain, Beulahland or Laurelthirst.
Instead of Wolf and Bears try Gonzo.
Instead of Crema and Starbucks try Oblique.
Instead of Tabla, Pizzicato, or Dove Vivi try Nostrana or Baby Doll Pizza.
Instead of Paa dee try Chiang Mai or Pok pok.
Instead of Vino try Portland Wine Merchants.
Instead of Tapalaya try Pambiche.
Instead of La Buca try Canteen.
Instead of Steak Frites, Grilled Cheese Grill, and Cheese and Cracker try Potato Champion, Pyro Pizza, or Whiffies.

spare_wheel
spare_wheel
9 years ago
Reply to  spare_wheel

please remove wolf and bears from my list. they did not support the petition.

Dan Morrison
Dan Morrison
9 years ago
Reply to  spare_wheel

East Glisan Pizza Lounge is solid too!

Vanessa renwick
9 years ago

I just wrote to Wolf and Bear to ask them why they signed the letter. They responded with:
We never signed anything of the sort and honestly know nothing about that petition. Very lame someone would put us on that list.

Honestly haven’t heard a thing about this. Do you know how to get in touch with the folks responsible for this?

Spiffy
Spiffy
9 years ago

I wonder if the owner of the food cart lot was the one to sign for all their tenants…

but it’s now very suspect… maybe somebody could go to all those businesses to confirm that they actually did sign it…

gutterbunny
9 years ago
Reply to  Spiffy

According to Portland Maps the property owner of the food cart lots is “Bitar Robert A Company” they/he own quite a bit of property in the area (probably more in other areas too). Of course it’s really hard to track down who’s a part of all those Condo Associations and other LCCs that own most the land in the area.

A quick Google search and it looks like they’re also LCC’d in Orange County and Honolulu (though in fairness I don’t know, but it’s not that common of a name).

Also it’s an old Portland name, I’d assume that they/he are related to Bitars that built the Bitar Mansion in Laurelhurst – the most expensive East Portland residential property by far. It’s safe to assume they/he would have some clout in city hall.

Jeremy
Jeremy
9 years ago

Wolf and bear’s never signed anything like that. Would the authors of this article please contact us ASAP. Thanks. Why would we not want a bike lane on 28th???

gutterbunny
9 years ago

Doesn’t look they are very anti bike at all to me. Infact this petition places the blame of the 28th compromise squarely on the shoulders of PDOT.

Please note that they aren’t against a shared 28th. They just don’t want to lose the parking spaces.

And I quote:

“We support a shared bikeway on 28th avenue, WITH an enhanced greenway for bicyclist on 30th Ave., lowering the speed limit on 28th Ave. and installing crosswalks and traffic calming devices along this route to make a safer route for bicyclists and pedestrians.” (capital with was mine for emphasis.)

Equal access for bikes, lower speed limits, and traffic calming. It’s all there in black and white. And they want the greenway on 30th too. Greedy little businesses.

Since the”stakeholders” petition clearly states they support shared access to 28th, it seems to me that it is actually PDOT that is against doing this and not the business interests. So either someone at PDOT didn’t really read the petition, or they’re blowing smoke up all our.

Bust out the Dutch “cars are guests signs”….Though in English please.

spare_wheel
spare_wheel
9 years ago
Reply to  gutterbunny

i don’t see this as pro-bike at all. 28th is already a shared bikeway.

Reza
Reza
9 years ago
Reply to  gutterbunny

Under current City policy, many of those measures are illegal. As long as 28th remains a collector and major emergency access route, true “traffic calming” will not happen.

gutterbunny
9 years ago
Reply to  Reza

PDOT can easily change the policy, or at the least pressure those that can. This petition would very powerful leverage in making the legal changes a reality. After all 61 shareholders on a low density 8 block commercial is a big block.

(If 61 businesses actually did sign the document, which seems to be in question at the time.)

gutterbunny
9 years ago
Reply to  gutterbunny

It is a shared bike way, though unsanctioned. And if this petition could very well go along way towards changing those “rules” for the street. After all the shareholders have spoken and they want it.

I still don’t buy the “emergency access route”excuse. Bikes can get out of the way much faster than a car can on narrow streets. Infact, with parking allowed on the street, bikes yielding to the emergency vehicle would make it easier for the responding vehicle to get through, since the cyclists would help prevent the street being blocked by two motor vehicles (one going north, the other heading south) that can’t pull over.

Buzz Aldrin
Buzz Aldrin
9 years ago
Reply to  gutterbunny

placement of sharrows in both directions on this stretch of road would now be the only remaining responsible action by PBOT.

Josh Berezin
Josh Berezin
9 years ago

I like a lot of these businesses! I currently visit them less often than I would like to, since the street is such an unpleasant ride. It’s a missed opportunity for them to attract thousands of people on bicycles (otherwise known as “customers”) to 28th Ave.

Spiffy
Spiffy
9 years ago

The business community’s overriding concern along the 28th Avenue corridor is the safety of our neighbors, visitors and employees, no matter the mode of transport — pedestrian, bicycle, or vehicle.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

paikikala
paikikala
9 years ago
Reply to  Spiffy

We should start referring to free on-street parking as parking welfare.

spare_wheel
spare_wheel
9 years ago

I am going to buy an informational ad in the williamette week. If someone wants to provide art work or help subsidize a longer run please email me at sorenimpey@gmail.com.

Spiffy
Spiffy
9 years ago
Reply to  spare_wheel

people that love free parking don’t read WW…

spare_wheel
spare_wheel
9 years ago
Reply to  Spiffy

my message is informational and the ww bike issue is coming up…

Buzz Aldrin
Buzz Aldrin
9 years ago

Also +1 to Esparza’s for NOT signing the letter.

spare_wheel
spare_wheel
9 years ago
Reply to  Buzz Aldrin

closed.

Buzz Aldrin
Buzz Aldrin
9 years ago
Reply to  spare_wheel

bummer, didn’t know that.

BIKELEPTIC
9 years ago
Reply to  spare_wheel

Esparza has been “re-working” all winter. Just re-posted their liquor license this week. But there’s been paper on their windows for weeks.

Ian
Ian
9 years ago
Reply to  Buzz Aldrin

It wouldn’t make much sense for them anyway, as they’ve closed.

Nathan
Nathan
9 years ago

If sixty-one businesses blocked this for parking, why is there no private parking structure nearby for these drivers to put their cars while lightening their wallets?

With all of these conversations about increasing density and with massive influx of people to the city, this must be on business owners’ and city planners’ radars.

Is it zoning?

Chris I
Chris I
9 years ago
Reply to  Nathan

Because the city is giving away parking for free…

paikikala
paikikala
9 years ago
Reply to  Chris I

Exactly. free parking skews the market, making for no private investment because they cannot compete with free.

peejay
peejay
9 years ago

Bikeleptic, it’s kind of ironic that we had a beer just yesterday at Captured by Porches. I really hope they didn’t actually sign the letter, but we’re put on the list unknowingly. I’m actually hoping this is true of the majority of this list, and that whoever is responsible is held accountable, AND that in light of this fraud, PBOT reconsiders their utter capitulation. Not holding my breath, though.

none
9 years ago

I see several of my favorite places on this list, and I have NEVER driven to visit any of them- not once.

paikikala
paikikala
9 years ago
Reply to  none

I heard of something once when a base was proposed for closure. The base started making change in $2 bills. Soon, everyone in the surrounding area kept seeing $2 bills and the impact of the base on the local economy. Cyclists could do the same with bills or dollar coins. ‘Change for change”.

Spiffy
Spiffy
9 years ago
Reply to  paikikala

so we should all go to Casa Diablo to get change before hitting 28th? I’m all for it…

James Sherbondy
James Sherbondy
9 years ago
Reply to  paikikala

Just make a “name bubble” stamp saying “this money delivered by bike”.

BIKELEPTIC
9 years ago

Maybe an alternative would be to make this entire area a Zone G type thing. I work just about 10 or 15 blocks down in a very much not shopping area and the whole section been’s blocked out as Zone G. Highly annoying for my co-workers who go out and take a break every couple of hours to go find a new parking spot because they’re too cheap to actually go down and buy a parking pass. (Zone G limits you to 2 hrs Mon – Fri during biz hrs until 6pm.) I don’t know if they already have that, as I don’t drive, but it would a) bring in revenue for the city, as the people that live there would pretty much be forced to get a residential permit, and then tickets for other people that are hanging out all day. I used to live off of 28th & Burnside. It’s a nightmare. And with that nightmare building coming in on 26th (even with the parking garage included for tenants) it’s only going to get worse.

Spiffy
Spiffy
9 years ago
Reply to  BIKELEPTIC

parking here isn’t usually a problem except for the weekend busy times… those don’t seem to be covered by Zone G…

also, it’s only 1 hour parking right now, I don’t want to expand that to 2 hours for non-permits and forever for permits…

John Liu
John Liu
9 years ago

It seems that cyclists and businesses alike would like to see 28th turned into a “shared street” with low speed limits, bike signage, and traffic calming.

Is such a street really incompatible with use by emergency vehicles? I don’t mean with existing city regulations, but in reality.

spare_wheel
spare_wheel
9 years ago
Reply to  John Liu

pbot made it clear that there is no funding for enhancing both 30th and 28th. and it looks like some business “stakeholders” made that decision for us…

paikikala
paikikala
9 years ago
Reply to  spare_wheel

Paint and thermoplastic cost the same no matter which street it is put on. If you’re not putting buffered lanes on 28th, you can certainly put sharrows on 30th.

davemess
davemess
9 years ago

“As business and property owners we are concerned with the safety, vitality, and livability of our neighborhood. The proposal to remove parking along one side of 28th Ave. is only going to add to the stress of the neighborhood with additional cars trying to find parking in the neighborhood.”

Anyone else find this a completely contradictory statement? How can you write that with a straight face?

I’m actually really curious how many of these businesses are actually property owners?

Adron
9 years ago
Reply to  davemess

I was curious about that statement too. It just screams ridiculousness.

Lidwien Rahman
Lidwien Rahman
9 years ago

SE 28th is my main route for riding north-south from my house. I ride to work, friends, restaurants, shops, medical appointments etc. year around. I also frequent Laurelhurst theater, Crema, and the shops and restaurants on SE 28th, by bike of course. Living one street off SE Belmont, on a small lot with no driveway or garage, we experience overflow parking from nearby businesses and apartments daily. I have no trouble whatsoever navigating the section of SE 28th between Sandy and Stark under the current arrangement, and I feel with some added traffic calming it will only get better. If I wanted to ride on a quieter street at certain hours, SE 30th is not far. I am looking forward to better signage and wayfinding of the 20s bikeways all along the route, since I tend to get lost south of Division and have trouble remembering where I can cross Powell safely. So please don’t assume that all bicyclists oppose the city’s proposed plan.

John Lascurettes
9 years ago

Okay, fine, the parking is valuable. When exactly do the parking meters go in?

paikikala
paikikala
9 years ago

“Portland taxpayers subsidizing businesses in the millions each year” – a headline we’ll never see.

Adron
9 years ago

LOLz. Forealz!!! Where are the parking meters, let’s roll those suckers in ASAP!

TonyJ
TonyJ
9 years ago

OLCC establishments on this list which serve on premises should be criticized by the community at large for promoting, tacitly, drinking and driving.

i ride my bike
i ride my bike
9 years ago

If you are unhappy about this then be sure to write a letter of support to PBOT in favor of Street Seats by April 30th. Theres plenty of people who cant stand the thought of losing 15 parking spaces citywide to outdoor seating space and are making their voices heard that free on street parking is a sacred birthright. Lets not let there be a similar outcome because no one spoke up in favor of Street Seats. Among the Street Seats most endanger of being killed are the true public space ones like at PSU food carts and one on NW 23rd that is part for Lompoc and part public seating.

Mike
Mike
9 years ago

My stomach is glad to see that Pambiche and Bamboo are not on the list!

My brain, however, is still waiting for the FINAL decision on the multimodal fate of 28th.

Is there any way the cycling masses of BP can get our OWN petition together (with way more than 61 signatures) in time to sway the SAC’s decision??

Perhaps attach a copy of the Portland Plan for 2030 for good measure?

Joe Rowe
Joe Rowe
9 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Eat at Navare Restaurant! The staff are awesome, the food is even better. Boycott the bland TapaLamea Restaurant who has signed this letter.

Most of the businesses who have signed the letter will not be open in 5 years.

I bike 28th all the time with my kid and cargo bike. I will be making some very short stops to say thanks to those businesses who did not sign.

I’m going to be asking those who sign this letter to offer a solution that is more safe.

There is no safe alternative to 28th.

Here is my route
a) Quiet side streets in SE
b) Cross I-84 using a death risking ride on 28th Stark Broadway
c) Quiet side streets in NE

Ethan
9 years ago

No huge fan of Starbucks (coffee) but amazed that corporate would allow them to sign, so many of their locations have ZERO parking and they do quite well. They should know better.

Reza
Reza
9 years ago
Reply to  Ethan

As they are the only major chain on this list, I think that the franchise owner may have signed this without corporate’s permission. I agree, this seems like an odd inclusion.

Maybe Jonathan can approach Starbucks HQ for comment?

Kyle
Kyle
9 years ago

I live in this neighbourhood and I’d be willing to sign a pro-bike/pro-pedestrian petition to counter the businesses. It’s a shame to me that so many places I *walk* to on a regular basis are on this list! If people who drive to local spots around the inner-city are finding it difficult to navigate and park their cars, I think some adaptation is in order.

Spiffy
Spiffy
9 years ago
Reply to  Kyle

I stopped driving to places like NW 23rd and Hawthorne but I still do business there frequently…

Justin
Justin
9 years ago

Sad to see Grilled Cheese Grill on the list. Won’t be going there anymore.

Christopher Sanderson
9 years ago

I will send a letter myself, expressing my disappointment. I thought the information session at Central Catholic was so positive, and I enjoyed meeting the folks from PBOT. They indeed listened to my concerns, but it seems that my voice is not as influential as the businesses on this list. I will keep fighting the good fight, and pedaling my large and SLOW rig down 28th.

Pat Franz
Pat Franz
9 years ago

Let’s rewrite this letter into plain English:

The purpose of this letter is to communicate our primary interests in regards to the free parking WE ABSOLUTELY MUST KEEP GETTING. We are craven enough that we will do or say anything to keep it. We are addicted to it, and can’t see any way out.

As business and property owners we are concerned with the safety and vitality of our FREE PARKING. WE WILL KEEP STAMPING OUR FEET AND HOWLING BECAUSE WE WANT WHAT WE KNOW. WE DO NOT WANT CHANGE, WE WANT FREE PARKING!!!

We look forward to further neighborhood enhancements that will be profitable for us. Stick the bikes somewhere else, we want customers with cars, and they want to park right out front, so DON’T DARE TOUCH OUR FREE PARKING.

See, doesn’t it read better now? At least the message is clear.

9watts
9watts
9 years ago
Reply to  Pat Franz

Excellent!

Hornswoggled into worshiping car parking above anything and everything else, the lot of ’em.

Terry D
Terry D
9 years ago

I was most concerned with Bamboo…..I am going to have to make it a point to take out my hubby there soon and tell them why. Laurelhurst Theater should know better so Axe them for the time being until this whole bikeway plays out (I will not be hard ball about it, but no beer or pizza)… We like the Academy Theater and Montavilla is much more relaxed anyway. Since I am mid-way between the two, I will go where I am most welcome.

Jeremy Garb
Jeremy Garb
9 years ago

Wolf and Bear’s never signed that letter. I dont know how our name got on that list but its a mistake and i bet you a bunch of businesses on that list didnt sign it either.

-Jeremy, Owner of Wolf and Bear’s

Rebecca
Rebecca
9 years ago
Reply to  Jeremy Garb

Sorry to hear about the mix-up, Wolf and Bear’s. I hope that despite the unfortunate confusion you can see that your business is important to many people on this forum…people who will be stopping by for an Olea wrap soon 🙂

spare_wheel
spare_wheel
9 years ago
Reply to  Jeremy Garb

as a long-time customer (since you opened on 20th and morrison) i’m very relieved that you did not support the petition. coming by for a sabich soon…

Spiffy
Spiffy
9 years ago
Reply to  spare_wheel

oh that’s the cart that used to be there?! I was sad when they left, but I never actually knew their name…

TonyT
TonyT
9 years ago

Take the lane.

Josh Berezin
Josh Berezin
9 years ago
Reply to  TonyT

Not a solution, obviously, right? I mean, tell that to a 9-year-old or a 75-year-old.

Suburban
Suburban
9 years ago
Reply to  Josh Berezin

Yes, they will have to take the lane too.
The street is perfect as it is, the only barriers are in the minds of the riders who hug the door zone.

Bruce
Bruce
9 years ago
Reply to  Suburban

It’s not perfect if “interested but concerned” riders don’t feel safe taking the lane.

Suburban
Suburban
9 years ago
Reply to  Bruce

You identified the barrier precisely; a feeling.
“Interested but concerned” will be so no matter what the engineering. Any such perception of safety can not ever be provided by infrastructure. To grant it such power is to abdicate (to others) the existing rights and resposibilities 8-80 year olds share with every vehicle user on the roadway. It is by mode of USE a bike friendly street is made, not mode of treatment. We don’t need to change any of the exterior world to ride safely with families on our city streets.

Chris Anderson
9 years ago
Reply to  Suburban

If only the people in cars wouldn’t feel threatened by the idea of going 10mph, and gave adequate following distance. You are right, with the right driver attitude and speed there’s no reason every street shouldn’t be kid safe.

gutterbunny
9 years ago
Reply to  Bruce

Interested and Concerned might as well be “I gotta get home in time to watch the Bachelor” They’re the same people that keep gyms in the black, they sign the contract and never show up after two weeks. Kind of like those people that say they’re really busy, but then go on to summarize three hours of TV programing the night before.

At best the term is people (since it is sooo huge of a percentage) are people that are just plain apathetic to the whole thing.

They will only start riding bikes “for real” when it becomes clear that riding a bike is just as fast and convenient than driving a car. Very few will show up just because you create a shoulder on the road (which if you’re honest is all a bike lane is- a slightly more maintained shoulder).

Nothing will show them riding a bike is often as convenient and fast as a car as putting bikes in front of them on the road – which of course slows automobile use to move at the speed of bicycles. But they won’t get it as long as they can pass you on your shoulder as they hurry home to check the TV guide.

Chris I
Chris I
9 years ago
Reply to  Suburban

It is perfect? And what percentage of the total traffic is composed of cyclists, currently? 3%? This is perfect? This is your ideal situation?

Russ Roca
9 years ago

So bummed about this. Writing letters to businesses that we USE to frequent that signed on to this letter.

SD
SD
9 years ago

Whenever I drive to 28th to eat dinner, see a movie etc. I never expect to park on 28th. I expect to park within 5-6 blocks of my destination and walk, much like other commercial streets in Portland. Hawethorne, NW 21st, Alberta… and so many others.

I also expect that if I want to eat outside on 28th in the summer I will get to choke on the exhaust fumes of cars parking and driving by and have to speak over traffic. For this reason, I mostly go to other places to hang out, outside in the summer. Thes businesses on 28th would be much more of a destination if they took control of the road and made it a more enjoyable place for people to be.

These businesses have benefited from the neighborhoods surrounding them and now they are turning their backs when there is a chance to significantly improve safety and calm traffic on a road that should not be as hectic as it is. Staccato Gelato, how many kids from DaVinci patronize your store? How many of these businesses have capitalized off of the progressive Portland ideals of their patrons? Cardinal club, Laurelhurst, Captured by Porches? Migration? Coalition? Do you want your patrons to drive their cars after drinking a couple of your pints? Are you just in business to profit off of a superficial hipster image that you use in your advertising? Or do you have an interest in building community?

What stands out on this list are the businesses that did not sign. These businesses are continuing to build the Portland that is sustainable and healthy and enjoyable. While it has been disturbing to see selfish, knee jerk responses from places that I visit regularly, I am psyched to see some that stick to the community values they profess.

Cheers! Alma, Navarre, Beulahland, Pambiche, Ken’s, Bamboo.

davemess
davemess
9 years ago
Reply to  SD

Very well said!

Bjorn
Bjorn
9 years ago

So is Innerweave Massage (812 NE 28th) actually different from Interweave (812 NE 28th) or is this one owner signing it twice?

Scott Kocher
9 years ago

What about Yelp?

Factual (not hot-headed) reviews to educate patrons of these businesses (non-signers and signers) may be in order.

Cory Poole
Cory Poole
9 years ago

So PBOT was swayed by a letter with 61 signatures on it. what if the bike community countered with a letter signed by 6100 portlanders?

Bruce
Bruce
9 years ago
Reply to  Cory Poole

Homeowner one block from 28th. Would sign.

Eric
Eric
9 years ago

I’m more interested in measuring how many businesses did _not_ sign this petition. Given the swath up to 32nd that implies a 4 block width, so we’re talking all businesses from 24th to 32nd, Stark to Sandy weighing in on this. That leaves a _ton_ of businesses not accounted for, let alone local residents.

Overall there’s a more interesting petition to be proposed. They’re talking about removing half the parking on 28th, so it’s fair to ask if removal of half the frontage of a business owner’s property for dedicated car parking is worth the trade-off of this project. And what if a building has multiple businesses, then we’re talking about fractions of that frontage. So perhaps a store has a 30ft frontage, a business above it, we’re talking about a fraction of a parking space, and then you say well only half the street is loosing space now we’re talking about a fraction of a fraction.

Put simply “would you argue against a reduction of 1/4 of a parking space in front of your business” is going to be hard to get behind and I think that’s reasonable to ask these same businesses.

Bjorn
Bjorn
9 years ago
Reply to  Eric

Katie Obriens is North of Sandy so really the range of blocks goes out to NE Sullivan.

Earl
9 years ago

Hi,

It’s Earl from PaaDee here. We have nothing against bike lane, and did inquire the city to put bike racks in front of the building when we first moved in. I have been approached by Laurelhurst theater’s owner on my busy time, they informed that 30th would be a better and safer street to add bike lane than 28th which i did agree and then signed the paper without having time to read any details about it.

I do apologize that my mistaken had upset the community and bikers. I will write a letter/call the city again to take us off this list.

Sincerely,
Earl
PaaDee

spare_wheel
spare_wheel
9 years ago
Reply to  Earl

Thanks you for your clarification, Earl. Looking forward to some chive cakes with sour soy soon.

Spiffy
Spiffy
9 years ago
Reply to  spare_wheel

smart business owners don’t sign things without reading them…

Chainwhipped
Chainwhipped
9 years ago

Kind of depressing. This was my neighborhood for a long time and this stretch of 28th was my ride to work most mornings. I could never understand why there was no bike lane on such a busy street. I used to get passed by a** holes at double the speed limit only to catch them at the next light. 50mph in a dense business district with SO MUCH foot traffic! City Vehicles, too! But at least I can stick my Volvo in Holman’s empty slot . . .

spare_wheel
spare_wheel
9 years ago
Reply to  Chainwhipped

i think i should also take advantage of all that free parking on Fri and Sat nights.

Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson
9 years ago

Typical selfish Portland NIMBYism in action. You can practically see the 28th Avenue folks proudly waving the city flag this morning.

Spiffy
Spiffy
9 years ago
Reply to  Paul Johnson

they probably don’t know what the city flag looks like…