TRN-1.04 - Russell Street Improvements Planning Project Final Report

WHEREAS, Russell Street is identified in the Albina Community Plan and Eliot Neighborhood Plan as a key commercial corridor and a pedestrian route connecting to the new Interstate Max light rail; and

WHEREAS, Russell Street is designated as a conservation district in the Central City Plan; and

WHEREAS, Russell Street is designated as a Station Community and commercial corridor in the Metro 2040 Plan and a Community Main Street in the Transportation System Plan; and

WHEREAS, residents, business owners and area institutions are working with Portland Development Commission and the Portland Office of Transportation to transform a cycle of dis-investment on Russell Street into a revitalized community mainstreet; and

WHEREAS, through Ordinance #176483 the Council authorized the application for a Transportation and Growth Management (TGM) Grant for this and other TGM projects; and

WHEREAS, the Russell Street Improvements Planning Project creates a streetscape concept plan and new streetlight standards and design guidelines for Russell Street between North Interstate Avenue and Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and also for North Mississippi and North Albina Avenues between North Interstate Avenue and Russell Street; and

WHEREAS, the Russell Street Improvements Planning Project creates a public investment strategy for the street in order to improve the quality of the street for local businesses and residents and help strengthen the connection between Russell Street, the Interstate MAX light rail, the surrounding community, and major destinations such as Emanuel Hospital; and

WHEREAS, the plan identifies the type and location of street improvements including trees, sidewalk improvements and curb extensions, ornamental streetlights, pedestrian crossings; and

WHEREAS, more than 1000 community members contributed to this highly participatory planning process and the Russell Community Advisory Committee recommends the adoption the Russell Street Improvements Planning Project Final Report;