The midday sun was bright on vendor booths at the Saturday Gresham Farmer’s Market on July 26. Amid the steady stream of market-goers, staff from the Powell-Division Transit and Development Project greeted people as they walked near.
“Hi, do you ride transit? Do you have an opinion about new transit in the region?”
One man, enjoying the warm afternoon, stopped to answer.
“I ride Line 9 on Powell the whole way from the inner east side to Gresham,” he said. “If the service for the 9 gets better, that’s great, but whatever you do, don’t remove service.”
The Metro staffer pointed to a board with 10 questions – translated into five languages. "What would make the bus ride better for you?"
He stood for a moment, quietly looking at the questions. “A quicker trip for sure, and more comfortable bus stops," he said. "Weather protection. Being able to get out of the rain and at least two places to sit.”
Staff stuck red dots on the board, recording his input and then handed him a flyer with a map and information about signing up for email updates.
The Powell-Division Transit and Development Project team is working hard to be available in the corridor and talk with people. The new project survey, open to Sept. 19, and upcoming open houses are opportunities for people who live, work, and take transit in the corridor to weigh in on the range of transit routes and types being considered. Project staff are also visiting businesses in the corridor to share information and gather input.
In addition Gresham, project staff discussed the transit alternatives with people at open houses at the Midland Library and the Oregon Buddhist Temple.
There are still opportunities to weigh in. Your input is important and will be shared with decision-makers.
Take the survey now
Weigh in on a range of transit alternatives (routes and transit types). Tell us what you think in a 5-minute survey, available on the project website through Sept. 19.
In September, Metro will know more about how these alternatives perform. Join us at an open house and preview the information that will be shared with the project's steering committee.
5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 18 at the Gresham Library, 385 NW Miller Ave, Gresham
5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 24 at Ron Russell Middle School, 3955 SE 112th Ave, Portland
The project’s steering committee will review public input and technical analysis to move some transit alternatives forward. Hear the findings and share comments directly with the decision-makers.
4 to 6 p.m., Monday, Sept. 29 at St. Philip Neri, 2408 SE 16th Ave, Portland. Open house follows from 6 to 7 p.m.
Want to learn more? Drop in any time during these informal sessions to talk with Powell-Division project staff. These sessions take place the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at the Division Midway Alliance for Community Improvement, 2536 SE 122nd Avenue.
- 4:30 to 6 p.m., Aug. 12
- 8:30 to 10 a.m., Aug. 26
- 4:30 to 6 p.m., Sept. 9
- 8:30 to 10 a.m., Sept. 23
What we are starting to hear
We want to know your thoughts and preferences about transit in the corridor. Here is what some people are saying:
“The line should run east along Powell until 82nd, then go north on 82nd, and then go east on Division. It absolutely must connect with PCC-Southeast at 82nd and Division.”
“As long as it doesn't remove a travel lane, it should run along a combination of Powell and Division.”
“The dedicated busway seems like the fastest and cheapest option. Light rail would be fine, but I don't see how you could build it without taking a whole bunch of right of way.”
“How many homes will be destroyed and how many families will be displaced? With the homes so close to the new transit line how much will they lose in value?”
“Lower Division is already too congested with not enough room for cars and other modes. Move the bus route over to Clinton or make Clinton primarily for cars and trucks.”
“I live close in, in Brooklyn, and we are well-served here. The new transit route should improve or add service to a population in need.”
“Cost is a major concern with the public. The more dedicated bus service provides the best initial investment return. Light rail seems too big to be nimble in this type of setup, and will run to Gresham, which already has MAX.”
“Light rail is not affordable and would require acquisition of large right of way areas.”
“Developers and investors respond well to light rail. Bus rapid transit is a less expensive option. Above all lane separation is mandatory. More frequent bus service is a non-starter.”
“If we do bus rapid transit, the busway needs to be dedicated, otherwise this would be a service reduction because you'd essentially be getting the line 4 and/or the line 9 with wider stop spacing for without much improvement of travel times. Rapid streetcar just wouldn't have enough capacity.”
“I can imagine frequent service plus would work where street width is narrower. I also just like the idea of bus rapid transit.”
“Another light rail line would easily integrate into the existing MAX system and provide the highest capacity and fastest times of all the options. I would only explore Frequent Service Plus if we couldn't afford light rail. I don't see the benefit of a streetcar line. Why pay the cost of track and overhead wiring when you only get the capacity of a bus?”
“I think that Frequent Service Plus could be put in place quicker than any of the other options that require large infrastructure improvements. The need is great now – not 20 years from now.”
“Light rail and dedicated bus take up a lane of traffic, even when train car or bus are not using the right of way. These are also important freight routes and with the growth in the commercial activity, only more truck and smaller delivery vehicles will need access. Emergency vehicles are also a consideration.”
“Dedicated busway can be as efficient as rail without the disruption of car travel that regular buses cause. Frequent service plus seems like it would have the same disadvantages of traffic confusion and frustration for drivers without significantly speeding travel for bus riders. Bus Rapid Transit has received positive reviews in other cities and seems like a good option here. But there must be good connections between regular bus routes and the dedicated busway to make it convenient enough for commuters and the less consistent bus riders – those of us who ride buses all the time but not at commute hours.”