President’s Message
Our June 11 general membership meeting covered two major topics: 1) where BWNA should focus its efforts and resources in the coming year and 2) what the plan will look like for accessibility improvements at the intersection of NE Wistaria Drive, Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard, and 41st Avenue. Regarding the focus of BWNA’s efforts to support its mission and the neighborhood, several suggestions were developed: advocacy to retain existing core businesses and services on Fremont Street in the face of development changes; improving the neighborhood’s connection with and support for Beaumont Middle School; advocacy for a traffic impacts study to understand the effects of increasing neighborhood density; expansion of the newsletter; improvement of BWNA’s website; and support for organizations that support BWNA’s mission. The board will consider these suggestions in future meetings, so please let a board member or me know if you have feedback on these or other topics.
Many neighbors were interested in the tentative proposal presented by a representative from the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) for reconfiguring the intersection and traffic island on Wistaria Drive to improve pedestrian accessibility as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (addressing pedestrian access is required when PBOT repaves Wistaria Drive between NE 41st and 42nd avenues). Attendees at the meeting were generally critical of the PBOT plan and suggested alternative approaches for improving safety. Aesthetics was also a matter of concern—namely the impact of a redesign of the traffic island, which beautifies the area with its lush garden maintained by nearby residents. What would be the impact on space and irrigation for these plantings? In the end, an agreement was reached to schedule a site walk with PBOT staff to assess the issues raised by residents at the meeting. Stay tuned as the project design matures later this year.
Switching to family-fun neighborhood activities for the summer, the first will take place on Friday, July 13, with a BWNA/Alameda Neighborhood Association co-sponsored Movie in the Park at Wilshire Park. Showcased this year is the animated feature “The Secret Life of Pets,” preceded by music from the band Far Out West. The fun begins at 6:30 p.m., with the movie at dusk, food concessions for dinner, and free popcorn throughout!
The two largest neighborhood events of the year come in early August, the first being Fremont Fest on Saturday, August 4, sponsored by the Beaumont Business Association (details in a separate article on page 1). Just a few days later on Tuesday, August 7 is the National Night Out (NNO) Picnic in Wilshire Park sponsored by BWNA. NNO begins at 6:30 p.m. with burgers, veggie burgers, and hot dogs provided by BWNA. Please bring your family, a neighbor, and a picnic dish or dessert to share. BWNA VP Kathy Campbell is coordinating the event again this year, with fellow board members and other neighborhood volunteers assisting with planning, setup/cleanup, and grilling. We’ll also have family friendly activities, music, and a free prize raffle.
Come join your neighbors for the 35th anniversary of this special event that celebrates the neighborhood and the police and firefighters who protect us.