President’s Message
In July I hosted a meeting of a group of concerned neighbors and a developer who planned to demolish a house on their street, the 3400 block of NE Alameda. During that meeting I had the opportunity to get the developer’s view on what was driving the market to tear down houses in inner neighborhoods. He indicated the increasing number of homeowners who are putting urban “walkability” high on their list of wants. This, coupled with a desire for more amenities and bedrooms than the typical 1920’s house has to offer, lead developers to replace existing homes with much larger ones to meet the needs of “amply-resourced” families coming to Portland. Rather than discussing the complex and emotional issues around teardowns, I want to focus in on walkability.
It is not a big surprise that the real estate mantra of “location, location, location” is alive and well. Urban walkability is why many folks chose Beaumont-Wilshire many years ago. Indeed, continuing development along the main commercial corridors of NE 42nd Ave. and NE Fremont St. has added to our neighborhood’s walkability index. Even Alberta’s and Hollywood’s eclectic offerings are within comfortable treks of our northern and southern neighborhood boundaries. Even the small, but expanding commercial zone on Fremont and 24th is a reasonable hike away for many of us on the west side of the neighborhood. As I was working the BWNA/BBA booth at Fremont Fest, I had a few couples stop by from outside the neighborhood and express a similar opinion, saying they would definitely include our area in their relocation plans for just these reasons.
As long as I’m on the topic of walking, let me fully disclose: I have, at times, been a “covert clipper.” I don’t encourage intrusive pruning on any other person’s property, but I do understand the desire to remove branches that smack you in the face when you’re not expecting it. I do support tactfully discussing with your neighbors methods of improving the clearance along sidewalks, though. Although the city sidewalk ordinance requires property owners to keep their portion of sidewalk clear of foliage or obstructions for the full width of sidewalk up to a height of seven feet, reasonable pruning can be done that at least “captures the spirit” of the ordinance and makes walking an easier endeavor without ruining existing plants and trees. Please take a critical look at the sidewalk situation on your property and assess how difficult walking might be and make improvements where needed. If you are physically unable to perform needed sidewalk pruning, I’ll insert a little plug for the Beaumont-Wilshire Volunteer Group, which can lend a helping hand. (Contact me at president@bwna.us if you are in need of assistance.)
The desirable walkability of our neighborhood is, in the long run, necessarily dependent on our patronage of local businesses. Just a few weeks ago I got an overwhelming urge (need, desire, addiction, craving, longing—insert any) for a piece of pie a little after 8:00 p.m. and sated it with a berry cobbler ordered online from one of our local restaurants. I figure I burned at least 100 calories walking to and from there. At least that’s what I tried to rationalize to my wife (yeah, she didn’t buy it either).