On September 30, approximately 35 community members attended a public meeting to learn about the East End Redevelopment Plan and to provide input on where future public investments should be directed. Attendees participated in a real-time polling activity that asked questions to help prioritize categories of projects. The categories included: street improvement; public spaces and plazas; public parking, investing in existing buildings, and redevelopment (new housing, retail, restaurant and office). Investing in public parking, existing buildings and indoor gathering spaces received at least 50% support in the medium or high category. Office development was a lower priority for public investments and there were mixed opinions for housing and street improvements.

The Lake Oswego Redevelopment Agency Board will meet in early December to review this information as they consider where future urban renewal funds will be directed. Results of the polling and other written comments can be found on the project webpage at: http://www.ci.oswego.or.us/lora/east-end-redevelopment-plan

The project hit a milestone this week as the last section of the sidewalk was poured. Four of the six trees were planted and the street lights have been installed. The brick accents in the sidewalk will be installed next week with landscaping and decorative railings to follow. The project will be substantially completed by the end of July.

Work is progressing as scheduled.  This week the driveways to Bill’s Gas Station were poured and opened for business.  Trenching for irrigation and other utilities continue and  will continue into next week.   We should begin to see new  sidewalks in the next couple of weeks.  To avoid rush hour traffic, the contractor is only allowed to close one lane on State Street between 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.

The Project Advisory Committee for the Boones Ferry Road Improvements Project held its first meeting with the recently hired design consulting team on Thursday, April 30.  The lead firm for the team is WHPacific and is supported by Tahran Architects, Nevue Ngan Associates and JLA for public involvement.  The eight members of the Project Advisory Committee each shared their ideas and vision for what would make Boones Ferry Road a great street.  The committee and project team members then toured Boones Ferry Road between Madrona Street and Lanewood Street.  This was to gain a better understanding of opportunities for developing a vision and for making the street safer and more pedestrian-friendly.