ACTION ALERT! 🚨Funding for Parkway Crossings Slashed in Half🚨
The City of Bend is in the process of determining what projects would be funded through a potential transportation bond measure, and they are proposing to slash funding for Midtown Pedestrian Crossings in half from the initial recommendation.
Tell City Council why you support funding Midtown Pedestrian Crossings!
The Citizen Technical Advisory Committee, City Staff, and Consultants made recommendations for nearly $300 million worth of transportation projects throughout the city - including parkway ramps, a bigger roundabout at Reed Market & 15th, and a decent amount of funding for improving our pedestrian, bicycle, and transit system. See the full list here
Now, the Transportation Bond Subcommittee is creating two potential funding packages - one for ~$150 million and one for ~$250 million. This is part of the decision-making process to put a transportation bond measure on the May ballot.
In their first two meetings, this committee of 4 people has already substantially reduced the funding for pedestrian and bicycle improvements, including the Midtown Pedestrian Crossings. Tomorrow they will ask the City Council to weigh in on these decisions.
If the Midtown Pedestrian Crossings are not funded through this bond measure, the Bend Central District won't be adequately connected to the rest of the city for at least another decade.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS
Please send a quick email to support funding the Midtown Pedestrian Crossings in the transportation bond to council@bendoregon.gov now!
Suggested Talking Points
The parkway and the railroad separate Midtown and the East side of Bend from the West side, creating an equity issue for those who cannot easily access Downtown, the river, and the City and County seats.
There are few options for traveling east to west in the center of Bend, and Greenwood and Franklin Avenue are terrible connections for bicyclists and pedestrians.
More than 5,000 people per week already walk, bike, or use a wheelchair through the Franklin underpass. Imagine how many more people would feel comfortable using these crossings if they were improved.
A pedestrian crossing at Hawthorne Ave would connect downtown to the BCD, the Hawthorne transit center, and Juniper Park.
The Hawthorne crossing could be a signature feature of the BCD and downtown Bend, catalyzing new housing and mixed use development in the BCD.
The gateways to Downtown Bend don't do our city justice.
City Council Meeting
Wednesday, December 4th
5:00pm - Work Session discussion on transportation funding
7:00pm - Public Comment
City Hall, 710 NW Wall St.
Agenda
Planning Commission Meeting
Monday, December 9th
5:30pm
City Hall, 710 NW Wall St.
Work session on code amendments within the Core Area to relax prescriptive mixed-use requirements, simplify/reduce parking requirements, increase buildable space while balancing public needs, Senior Planners Pauline Hardie and Allison Plat, in conjunction with BEDAB, AHAC, NLA, and URAB, 1 hour
Urban Renewal Advisory Board Meeting #6
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Municipal Court, 555 NE 15th Street - Corner of Greenwood and 15th Street. Park across street at Lava Lanes lot.
Agenda
City Council Meeting
Wednesday, December 18th
City Hall, 710 NW Wall St.