By Nancy English
Two projects in the West End would, if funded, remake the playground between Tate and Tyng streets and the sidewalk on Tate Street above Harbor View Park.
The City plans to replace the steep brick sidewalk on Tate Street with concrete with a non-slip broom finish. However, at the boundary of the historic district, the sidewalk must be paved with brick.
“Luckily this is the flatter portion of Tate Street,” said Emily Bolt, Senior Transportation Engineer at Portland’s Public Works Department.
Four hundred feet of cracked and uneven sidewalk is on the list for replacement using Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). The council will vote on that order as soon as May 5th (after publication).
The City Council will accept public comment for proposed CDBG projects. You may provide written comment (due by noon on the day of the meeting) or in-person testimony at the May 5th meeting.
The same order proposes a total of $248,000 funding for reconstruction of the Tyng-Tate Park. The reconfiguration would allow intergenerational uses and features bench seating, new trees, an adult fitness court, and more.
Funding the Projects
In the census tract, more than 50% of the residents are of low to moderate income, according to the proposals. That qualifies both projects for CDBG federal grants. The CDBG Allocation Committee approved both for the funding list. Additional funding allowed the sidewalk repair to move ahead fully funded under City Manager Danielle West’s recommendation.
The cost of the sidewalk replacement is $175,000. “The original recommendations from the CDBG Allocation Committee only included the estimated CDBG funds for this year’s allocation,” said Rowen McAllister, Portland Housing and Community Development Manager. “The City Manager has the ability to recommend additional contingency funds (money from previous years’ underbudget or cancelled projects) and Tax Increment Financing funding be used to fill in funding gaps.”
McAllister also said the city has not yet learned the allocation amount from the federal Department of Housing & Urban Development. The city follows a months-long step-by-step process to qualify for an estimated total of grant funding. The process is governed by the Housing & Community Development Act of 1974.
What neighbors think…
Christina Bechstein, who owns the children’s art studio, Love Lab Studio, at the base of Brackett Street, supports the park project whole-heartedly. As a neighbor of the park, she wrote by email, “Hundreds of families and children use this playground and it needs to be safe! Having a safe playground is essential for the children of the city, equipment without rust and dangerous sharp edges.”
The design for the updated playground centers on a new climbing structure and swing structure, but would be subject to revisions, according to Alex Marshall, Portland Parks Director. “It will need a great deal of refinement before we make any changes.”
Kip DeSerres, President of the West End Neighborhood Association (WENA), wrote in support of the two projects. “One of our goals for WENA is to increase physical activity and wellness among our West End residents, particularly those Aging in Place. Another goal is to reduce social isolation. By improving the sidewalk, we make it possible to walk safely, and to access the parks.”
WENA is making progress in its own fundraising campaign, almost halfway toward a goal of $10,000. Rosanne Graef, Vice President of WENA, said, “WENA is looking at Harbor View Memorial Park and Tate/Tyng Playground as one intergenerational recreational open space and that is where the money we raise through this appeal … will go.”
