Glenhaven Recap + Pier Update...

GLENHAVEN

Thanks to all who attended the recent public meeting
for the Glenhaven skatepark design. For those who did
not attend, about 50 people showed up, and they
reviewed four different design concepts from
Dreamland. Two came directly from Dreamland, two were
derived from Dreamland's original design and modified
by SPS's Mark Conahan.

Dreamland was and remains open to suggestions. They
took comment from the crowd, and they received written
feedback on the designs today. Check out the website
to see Dreamland's original design. Next Dreamland
will review the suggestions, work up a preferred
design reflecting public input, and present it to the
public at another meeting. Stay tuned.

PIER

An on-site "preconstruction meeting" occurred today.
In attendance were Rod Wojtanik, Parks' skatepark
project manager; Gary Woodruff, Parks' on-site project
supervisor; Dave, his assistant; a representative from
Urban Forestry; a representative from Environmental
Services (drainage), Jim and Steve Dukart from Duke
Construction (demolition contractor), Tom Miller from
SPS, and Mark Scott of Dreamland. It was a big group
because... let's be honest: new development is pretty
complicated in Portland.

On the permit front, things are going well. We could
have a permit issued for both demolition and
construction by Thursday. Bureau of Development
Services is doing excellent work to process their
review of the plan for code compliance as quickly and
efficiently as possible. Rod Wojtanik from Parks has
also been very helpful and making himself available to
get all the paperwork in order.

We'd guess demolition will begin no later than one
week from today. Demolition is expected to take one
week, which means we'll stay on schedule to have
Dreamland on site on Monday, April 3.

As an aside, the sight of the existing skatepark today
provided explanation for why SPS has spent years
working to make this redevelopment a reality. Apart
from the skatepark's inherent design and construction
flaws, the park is covered with tags, had a lot of old
standing rainwater in it, and was littered with empty
beer cans. Simply put, the place is being neglected
because it's not getting the attention it deserves.
With a Dreamland park in Pier Park, an entirely new -
and better - energy will take over the site. And
that's good for skaters, the Parks bureau, and the
neighborhood.

www.pdxskaters.org

posted by pdxbmx @ 11:41 AM