I guess Woodlawn is still fighting Trimet

Information for TriMet Meeting 5/14/14

Posted by ChristySplitt in Uncategorized On Wednesday, May 14th, TriMet will hold a community meeting in Woodlawn regarding two proposals for a permanent layover in Woodlawn. The Woodlawn Neighborhood Association opposes any permanent layover in Woodlawn.
The meeting will be held at 6 pm at Classic Foods at 817 NE Madrona. Neighbors are encouraged to come and share their thoughts. Information from TriMet can be found here.
Here’s a special message from neighborhood leader Anjala Ehelebe, who has convened a special subcommittee on the TriMet layover issue since 2012:
We don’t hate buses, I use them whenever I can, Max, too, but we find bus LAYOVER zones to have huge problems. One of the options we presented would allow us to get on the bus in Woodlawn, and go by New Seasons on Interstate. Another would take us to the Fred Meyers on Interstate. Another would take us out to East Columbia neighborhood and the Walmart and mall there. All of the options would connect with the Max yellow line, and wouldn’t that be a good thing?

Three main reasons not to have layovers near residences: diesel exhaust has extremely noxious particulates that harm health. diesel engine starters sometimes give off ultrasonic bangs! that make sleep impossible, especially when buses are starting their engines every 15-20 minutes. Then there are vibrations from the engines, which I have experienced from across the street, two houses away from an idling bus. Intense… small earthquake-like.
So please come to the meeting and tell TriMet that they shouldn’t build a layover next to residences!
We, the Association, presented three options to TriMet that would remove the end of line from Woodlawn and move it out to other neighborhoods, one of which has an ideal place for a layover/turnaround to be built. AWAY from residences! These options were reviewed by the staff member known to least be in favor of extending the line out of Woodlawn. Tellingly, they are not offering to even discuss these options at Wednesday’s meeting, just building TriMet toilets and bus parking zones near residences. Interestingly, TriMet notified drivers of the change from the layover on Dekum back in 2013, but drivers still layover there (near residences and the Park) and have accordingly been reported by neighbors to TriMet supervisors, who, to date, have not been able to curb the activity.
It is important to know that the Association formed a subcommittee that has met with TriMet and other concerned parties and decided firmly that NO LAYOVERS SHOULD BE BUILT IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS. They propose site 1, which is across the street from a senior/disabled housing apartment and next two four townhouses and a house. Neighbors who currently experience the sounds and vibrations of layovers implore you NOT to support layovers near residences and seniors. Site 11 is near a residence also.

TriMet only think option 1, next to Koken Market, and new option 11 on Lombard, are worth considering.  Let us tell them in no uncertain terms that neither site is acceptable because they are each near residences, and site 1 is near a senior/disabled apartment to boot! and that we want them to extend the line, preferably to East Columbia, which prays for such service to return. Invite your neighbors.  

 

Bottom line, layovers in neighborhoods are Undesirable, and don’t start here!