Current Issues
The Interstate Bridge Replacement, Crime, Homelessness, lack of a dedicated grocery store, Feral Cats, high water and noise from the airport and nearby businesses are some of the issues on the island.
I-5 Bridge Replacement
The Interstate Bridge Replacement people explain how the new I-5 bridge will likely work for Hayden Island residents on August 10th, 2023. A good crowd in the Oxford Suites meeting room, probably about 100 people attended. A video and their PowerPoint presentation are below.
https://myhaydenisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/20230810_HiNoon.pdf
The replacement Hood River Bridge is expected to cost about $600 million, while the Interstate Bridge Replacement project is likely to be around $6 billion. And it isn’t just about the length or number of lanes — there are a few big reasons for the differing price tags, explains KGW.
“But still, if two lanes costs $600 million, then using some back-of-the-napkin math, shouldn’t eight lanes cost about four times that much? That would be $2.4 billion, so how did we get to $6 billion?”
– Yes, the $2.4B figure for an I-5, 8 lane bridge (alone) might be napkin math, but it’s pretty close.
– But the I-5 Bridge includes all the other interchanges, and that adds another $1B – $1.6 Billion.
– The biggest cost is light rail, adding another $1.3B – $2.1 billion
KGW’s Pat Dooris reports the I-5 bridge funding is taking clearer shape, even as design hits river clearance concerns.
The Interstate Bridge Replacement Plan assumes they have a community consensus on the bridge design, but IBR doesn’t yet know what that design is. Island residents are at ground zero and have yet to know the details for the proposed light rail terminal and exit ramp details. The Hayden Island population is over 3,000 full-time residents, and the number is increasing fast due to new apartment building construction. Hayden Island Neighborhood Network [HINooN] asks for a regional plan to improve traffic flow across the Columbia River.
A packed room, more than 200 people, heard from a variety of viewpoints about the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project on Dec 5th, with the Christmas Ships and the Interstate Bridge discussion at the Holiday Inn. It was the first public event bringing IBR officials and Hayden Island residents together in one room. A worthwhile evening for most everyone.
Greg Johnson and Ray Mabley represented the DOTs and their official position, Be Friend represented many islanders with her critical questions to the IBR, Bob Ortblad discussed the possibility of a immersed tunnel option, Chris Smith represented the Just Crossing Alliance and a more moderate approach to a new bridge and Zachary Lauritzen of Oregon Walks stressed a more community-based focus, less dependent on driving and more traffic lanes.
Mr. Ortblad testified for the viability of an immersed tunnel instead of a bridge replacement favored by IBR. Here are his comments. I would like to thank Mr. Ortblad for helping with this video posting as well as his tireless commitment to our I-5 bridge process, driving down from Seattle on his own dime, multiple times. Without Ortblad’s input, I doubt the City of Vancouver or even the Feds would now be demanding that the Interstate Bridge Replacement look at alternatives. The projected 116 foot “fixed” bridge height as well as the $6 Billion cost for a raised bridge and freeway were just too onerous for many.
In the first hour, presenters each gave a 15 minute pitch. In the 2nd hour, questions from the public were asked, followed by Christmas Ship watching and the Fire Department’s arrival for Toy and Joy pickup and thanks.
Bob Orblad described his vision of an immersed tunnels under the Columbia River.
https://youtu.be/wWvkRV3aIkM?t=111
https://twitter.com/bortblad
ODOT has opened the comment period for I-5 Rose Quarter, and activists have seized the moment, reports Bike Portland. The Oregon Department of Transportation has released the long-awaited Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA) for its I-5 Rose Quarter expansion plan.
Here’s a pdf version of my letter seen below.
https://www.hayden-island.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ibr_letter_Dec5.pdf
It opens up an online open house and another public comment period. Many are largely unimpressed with the assessment and the changes ODOT has made to the plan.
https://www.i5rosequarter.org/
https://www.i5rosequarter.org/resources/library.aspx?accordion=SEA#SEA
https://odotopenhouse.org/i5-rose-quarter-sea
This is not the full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) advocates want from ODOT. Members of the Rose Quarter expansion opposition group No More Freeways (NMF), along with the Eliot Neighborhood Association and Neighbors for Clean Air, have taken ODOT to court on the grounds that they must complete an EIS.
https://nomorefreewayspdx.com/
https://eliotneighborhood.org/
https://neighborsforcleanair.org/
Transit officials recently opened a public comment period on a pair of tolling projects that could start charging some drivers as soon as 2024, reports OPB. The tolls will be placed on both interstates 5 and 205, between the Columbia River and Wilsonville. But transportation officials have not decided on pricing or where on the freeways the tolls would be.
One fact is clear: There won’t be any toll booths or coin buckets.
The proposed tolling system would have structures over the freeway using devices to read stickers on drivers’ front windshields – without stopping – and then charge their account. Without an account, cameras would read driver’s license plate and then send a bill.
https://www.interstatebridge.org/
https://www.interstatebridge.org/calendar
https://www.interstatebridge.org/news
https://www.interstatebridge.org/media/xxufktqx/ibr_modified_lpa-recommendation_factsheet_5-24-2022_remediated.pdf
https://www.interstatebridge.org/media/rwlbfbjj/06012022-legislative-progress-report-final.pdf
Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I shot a few photos and recorded the whole thing on video. Hopefully, the entire December 5, 2022 presentation can be posted here in the future.
In the first hour, presenters each gave a 15 minute pitch.
- Be Friend represented many islanders and neighborhood association Hi-Noon with many critical questions.
https://myhaydenisland.com/current-issues/ - The Interstate Bridge Replacement Plan was represented by Greg Johnson and Ray Mabley who explained the DOTs official position and why it is the way it is.
https://www.interstatebridge.org/
https://www.interstatebridge.org/news
https://www.i5rosequarter.org/ - Bob Orblad described his vision of an immersed tunnels under the Columbia River.
https://youtu.be/wWvkRV3aIkM?t=111
https://twitter.com/bortblad - Chris Smith represented the Just Crossing Alliance a partnership of Environmental, Environmental Justice and Sustainable Transportation organizations.
https://justcrossing.org/
https://justcrossing.org/partners/ - Zachary Lauritzen of Oregon Walks stressed a more community-based focus, less dependent on driving and more traffic lanes.
https://oregonwalks.org/
https://oregonwalks.org/about/
KGW filed this story. “A Portland neighborhood is raising their concerns around the project to replace the I-5 bridge between Oregon and Washington.”
Crime:
Hayden Island residents are frustrated over increasing crime and Interstate 5 running through the island makes it a prime target for all types of property crime. Portland Police Bureau data show crime on Hayden Island is the worst it’s been in the last five years. Property crimes like theft, burglary and larceny make up the vast majority.
Police say it’s not just the transient population committing crime; opportunists steal and vandalize and they often get away with it.
People also say they constantly see shoplifting at Jantzen Beach stores. People walk out with armloads of items at Target on a daily basis. Many properties installed more lights and security cameras, and people take turns driving around at night and patrolling the streets. They have formed a neighborhood watch with Hayden Island CSI.
The Hayden Island Community Safety Initiative is a community based non-profit organization of volunteers on Hayden Island. The vision of the Hayden Island CSI is to bring together everyone that live & work on the Island for the common goal of improving safety & livability on the Island by taking action to reduce crime & improve safety.https://haydenisland-csi.org/
Homelessness in Portland
Hayden Island residents, along with many other Portland neighborhoods are concerned about the amount of homeless in the City. The problem has received a lot of interest with car, boat and residence theft, catalytic converter theft and wholesale stealing from stores on the island. More to come on this!
Jantzen Beach Carousel
The Jantzen Beach Amusement Park officially opened on May 26, 1928. In July of that year, it added a new attraction—an impressive four-abreast carousel built by C. W. Parker. It became one of Portland’s most beloved treasures. It disappeared with the latest Mall remodel, but the carousel was stored “in a secret location”, with the actual carousel components, along with photographs, interviews, and other artifacts.
UPDATE:
The 1921 Jantzen Beach Carousel, it was decided this week, will have a new home in The Dalles. Restore Oregon selected the National Neon Sign Museum in The Dalles as the new steward of the Jantzen Beach Carousel.
The quest to find a worthy custodian for this cherished piece of Oregon’s cultural history has been a lengthy one, spanning nearly six years.
https://www.ohs.org/museum/exhibits/historic-jantzen-beach-carousel.cfm
Earlier this year, communities across Oregon submitted proposals. But the National Neon Sign Museum shared a vision for the carousel that included preservation and celebration of the carousel’s artistry and history, as well as opportunities for education, tourism, and economic development in The Dalles downtown business core.
https://restoreoregon.org/
https://restoreoregon.org/saving-the-jantzen-beach-carousel/
https://restoreoregon.org/event/exhibit-the-odyssey-of-the-historic-jantzen-beach-carousel/
https://www.ohs.org/museum/exhibits/historic-jantzen-beach-carousel.cfm
https://www.facebook.com/RestoreOregon
https://www.facebook.com/groups/350722222050903/