What do you love about the Portland metropolitan area? How should your hometown look in five years or in 50? What would make your neighborhood a better place to live today? How can we make the most of limited resources?
Metro is asking residents to take part in one of six open house events to ask questions and offer comments on recommendations calling for a regional Community Investment Strategy for public structures that make our neighborhoods livable – from streets to parks to jobs.
On Aug. 10, Metro Chief Operating Officer Michael Jordan released recommendations that call for cities, counties, Metro, the state of Oregon, and businesses throughout the region to find innovative and cooperative solutions to the challenges we face; to tackle financial gaps and inefficiencies that slow progress and increase costs; to improve coordination of state, local and federal investments in roads, bridges, water systems, parks and other public structures; and to create a strategic investment plan to better leverage taxpayer dollars with private investments. Jordan also made recommendations about potential areas to consider for urban growth boundary expansion to accommodate future residential and employment growth.
The Metro Council is inviting public input on the recommendations - how and where we should invest as well as how, where and if we should expand the urban growth boundary to accommodate future residential and employment growth. Public comments received by Oct. 1 will be summarized in a report and shared with policy makers prior to decisions scheduled for later in the fall.
On Monday, Sept. 13, an open house to discuss the Community Investment Strategy will be held at the Lents Boys and Girls Club, 9330 Southeast Harold St., from 5 to 7 p.m. View information, maps and investment examples, ask questions of staff, and provide your comments.
An online survey will be available Sept. 13 through Oct. 1. Learn more and share your views on Metro's website.