Learn about the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Process

The IBR program recently launched a new page on our website that provides the community with information about the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, including what the community can expect to find in the document, why the environmental review process is important, and how you can provide your input during the upcoming 60-day public comment period. A comprehensive notification process will inform the public when the Draft SEIS is published, and a full digital copy will be available on this webpage.    Additional information on other ways to access the materials and provide comment will be shared as we draw closer to the release of the Draft SEIS. We invite members of the public to use this page as their first point of reference when they have questions about the environmental process and how they will be able to provide input. Also, we invite you to learn more about the environmental review process by joining us at one of these upcoming meetings.

What’s Been Happening

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg (center) and U.S. Department of Transportation Director of the Departmental Office of Civil Rights Irene Marion (left) met with IBR program staff, Tribal leaders and advisory group members for a roundtable discussion on Feb. 12, 2024.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation joins IBR and partners for roundtable discussion on equity

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg honored the IBR program by participating in two events during his visit Feb. 12-13. Sec. Buttigieg toured the bridge with dignitaries including Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. The tour also included a visit with program partners. Sec. Buttigieg graciously made time to sit down for a discussion with IBR and state transportation leadership, Tribal leaders, representatives of partner agencies and advisory group members to hear about the program’s commitment to centering equity. Buttigieg was joined by Irene Marion, U.S. DOT Director of the Departmental Office of Civil Rights. The conversation with the IBR program, its valued partners and Tribal leaders, provided Sec. Buttigieg and Dir. Marion a brief overview of the many ways we are focusing efforts to ensure the historical harms often caused by large infrastructure programs of the past are not repeated and that equity priority communities have a voice to help shape program work. This includes everything from listening to the diverse range of lived experience among the program’s advisory group members and intentional government-to-government consultation with sovereign Tribal Nations, to taking actions that support efforts to build a more diverse regional workforce and help create opportunities for women and minority-owned businesses to participate in contracting opportunities. “I am energized by the benefits that the right kind of inclusion and right kind of process can bring not only for the IBR program, but for the country as well,” Buttigieg said. “This can stand as a national model that can inform what we do on large and smaller projects; that’s why we are paying such close attention.”

Student journalists get firsthand look at challenges posed by the Interstate Bridge

Local college and high school journalism students joined leaders from the IBR program in February for two events that gave them an up-close look at the transportation issues the program seeks to address. The program sees youth ages 16 to 25 as an important audience to engage with, as both an equity priority community and the fact they are the future users of a replacement bridge aimed at serving travelers over the next century. On Feb. 15, students gathered at the IBR office in downtown Vancouver to meet Program Administrator Greg Johnson and Design Manager Shilpa Mallem, who served as tour guides. Participants toured the program area on a bus and made stops at the Interstate Bridge itself, Hayden Island, and Evergreen Boulevard where the program proposes to build a new transit station and other investments. The following week, students joined IBR leaders in a virtual format where they had the opportunity to learn more about the upcoming release of the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) and ask questions regarding the environmental review process and public comment period.

IBR Program Administrator Greg Johnson (center) tours the Interstate Bridge with a group of local student journalists on Feb. 15, 2024.  New subcommittee on bi-state tolling holds first meeting The subcommittee that will make recommendations on tolling for the Interstate Bridge to the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) and Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) met for the first time on Friday, Feb. 23. The initial meeting of this new joint subcommittee allowed members to receive a reminder on the tolling programs in both states and review the tolling analysis completed by the IBR program in winter 2023.  The committee is composed of balanced representation from both states, including Oregon Transportation Commissioners Lee Beyer and Alicia Chapman, as well as Washington State Transportation Commissioners Jim Restucci and Roy Jennings. The committee is expected to meet monthly through December 2024; their next meeting takes place March 15.   Tolling is not anticipated to begin on the Interstate Bridge until 2026 following a public rate setting process.   To learn more about the subcommittee, you can visit the websites of the transportation commissions of Oregon and Washington. You can sign up for updates specific to this committee here. Recent Meetings Community Benefits Advisory Group (CBAG) — Feb. 22 Members of the Community Benefits Advisory Group received a program update from Administrator Greg Johnson, about visits from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt, engagement with local small business groups and contractor associations, outreach to local schools and youth, as well as listening sessions with community-based organizations.  The group then discussed and confirmed recommendations to the program intended to avoid further harm during construction of the proposed IBR investments. Equity Advisory Group (EAG) — Feb. 26 The Equity Advisory Group held its first meeting of 2024, having taken a short break in January. The group received a program update similar to the CBAG’s, including a recap of the visits from federal officials, and engagement with businesses and contractors. Members then reviewed their December visioning exercise and received a report about interviews that took place in January to add new members to the EAG. They also heard about updates to the program’s equity framework that incorporate further Tribal consultation. The group then received a presentation on urban design elements with a focus on the Vancouver waterfront transit station.    Executive Steering Group Advisory (ESG) – Mar. 5   The program’s Executive Steering Group held its first quarterly meeting of 2024 at the beginning of March. The group heard an update on recent activities from Program Administrator Greg Johnson which included mention that the joint subcommittee created by the transportation commissions of Oregon and Washington held its first meeting near the end of February. ESG members were also shown the latest visualizations highlighting four new views of the three potential bridge configurations being studied. The meeting included a brief discussion of the preparation for release of the Draft SEIS and public comment period that will follow.  The ESG also received an overview of the takeaways from a workforce study commissioned by the program to identify gaps in the current and projected workforce and opportunities that could support equitable economic and workforce development. The study was completed by local workforce development boards and is anticipated to be published later this month. Myth vs. Fact Myth: The congestion on I-5 in the program area is primarily caused by bottlenecks further south.  Fact: The sub-standard design of the current Interstate Bridge and closely spaced interchanges in the program area contribute significantly to congestion and slower moving vehicles. Narrow lane widths, reduced sight distance due to the bridge hump and freeway curve approaching the Interstate Bridge in Vancouver cause congestion and vehicles to slow down while crossing the Columbia River. A lack of safety shoulders contributes to those problems. In addition, the seven interchanges in just five miles and short entrance and exit ramps on either side of the bridge contribute to congestion. Design improvements, safety shoulders throughout the corridor and the addition of auxiliary lanes to enhance ramp-to-ramp connections will help improve the flow of traffic both on the bridge and throughout the five-mile program corridor.   The Interstate Bridge is not the only bottleneck on the regional transportation system, but addressing the transportation issues with the existing bridge and program area plays an important role in helping to improve the overall system in the Portland-Vancouver metro region.   On the Horizon Upcoming Advisory Group Meetings & Events Multilingual Press Conference Tuesday, March. 12 — 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. In our ongoing efforts to conduct broad community engagement with equity priority communities, the IBR program will host a multilingual press conference with a live Q&A session. The purpose of this event is to encourage journalists from equity priority media outlets to inform their communities of the program and the opportunity to provide input on the program’s upcoming Draft SEIS.  In an effort to center equity, this event is reserved for journalists and community-based organizations that serve equity priority community members: BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), people with disabilities, individuals with limited English proficiency, and immigrants and refugees.   Journalists serving lower income and houseless individuals and families, young people (25 and under) and older adults (65 and older) will be granted registration access as space allows. News media serving the general public will also have access as space is available.   The deadline to register for the virtual press conference is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 11, 2024. On the registration, please indicate your language needs and the program will try to have interpreters present.  Community Advisory Group Thursday, March. 14 — 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Bi-state Tolling Subcommittee Friday, March 15 —1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Equity Advisory Group Monday, March 18 — 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Community Benefits Advisory Group Thursday, March 28 — 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Meetings & Events Calendar IBR Office Hours Do you have questions and want to speak to a real person? We answer questions on a range of topics, including design, equity, Disadvantaged and Small Business Enterprise opportunities, community engagement, financial plans, and much more! Join us for IBR office hours, in person or virtually, and get your questions answered! NOTE: No new technical data will be available until the release of the environmental documentation.  Please make a 30-minute reservation at least 24 hours in advance. There are three ways you can make a reservation: Visit: SignUpGenius Email: info@interstatebridge.org Call: 888-503-6735 Please provide your contact information and what you would like to talk about. We will confirm your appointment and provide meeting details upon confirmation. See you there!

Emails us at info@interstatebridge.org or call 360-859-0494 (Washington), 503-897-9218 (Oregon), 888-503-6735 (toll-free).  The IBR program is subject to Oregon and Washington public records laws. Therefore, public comments and questions (verbal or written) may be made available to anyone requesting them for non-commercial purposes. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Civil Rights Title VI accommodations in Oregon For ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) or Civil Rights Title VI accommodations, translation/interpretation services, or more information for those in Oregon, please call 503-731-4128, TTY 800-735- 2900 or Oregon Relay Service 711. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Title VI accommodations in Washington Accommodation requests for people with disabilities in Washington can be made by contacting the WSDOT Diversity/ADA Affairs team at wsdotada@wsdot.wa.gov or by calling toll-free, 855-362-4ADA (4232). Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may make a request by calling the Washington State Relay at 711. Any person who believes his/her Title VI protection has been violated, may file a complaint with WSDOT’s Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) Title VI Coordinator by contacting (360) 705-7090. Copyright © 2024 Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: Interstate Bridge Replacement Program11018 NE 51st CircleVancouver, WA98682-6686

March 2024 Update       City of Portland invites community organizations to apply for Portland Votes 2024 Voter Education Grant Program In November 2024, Portland voters will use ranked-choice voting to elect one mayor, one auditor and three councilors per district (12 councilors total) by prioritizing their candidates. Portland Votes 2024 seeks to ensure that voters understand the new election method with non-partisan education. The Portland Votes 2024 grant application period is now open on the Portland Votes 2024 website. The grant program’s focus is to contract with community partners who are trusted messengers for hard-to-reach voters. The grant recipients will assist in providing nonpartisan voter education materials and activities to communities that the City of Portland has a hard time reaching, as well as those Portlanders who have historically lacked access to city decision-making. Read more       Join a community listening session to shape future city council operations The Government Transition Advisory Committee and City staff are inviting Portlanders to participate in guiding the creation of recommendations for the 2025 City Council. As Portland moves forward with implementing the November 2022 voter-approved charter amendments, the Government Transition Advisory Committee (GTAC) and City staff are preparing recommendations to the 2025 City Council to help lay the groundwork for a collaborative and responsive council. They are seeking community input to inform an initial draft of recommendations to be shared for public comment in June.  Read more       Construction in City Hall council chambers and offices commence soon The City of Portland Facilities team is managing multiple projects to renovate City Hall and address longstanding deferred maintenance. On Feb. 21, 2024, council approved agenda item 174, which allows the City of Portland Facilities team to immediately move forward to finalize the construction contract with the Construction Manager / General Contractor (CM/GC), Howard S. Wright, and begin construction work. Read more     About the City of Portland Transition Project In November 2022, Portland voters approved Ballot Measure 26-228 that directs the City of Portland to implement these three connected changes by Jan. 1, 2025:    Allow voters to rank candidates in order of preference, using ranked-choice voting. Establish four geographic districts, with three city council members elected to represent each district – expanding city council to a total of 12 members.  Establish a city council that focuses on setting policy and engaging with community, transitioning day-to-day oversight of bureaus to a mayor elected citywide and a professional city administrator.     Need access to information or services? The City of Portland ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, call 311 for Relay Service or TTY: 711. Traducción e Interpretación  |  Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch  |  अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या 口笔译服务  |  Устный и письменный перевод  |  Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad Письмовий і усний переклад  |  Traducere și interpretariat  |   Chiaku me Awewen Kapas Translation and Interpretation:  311

The Government Transition Advisory Committee and the City’s Transition Team are making recommendations to the 2025 City Council to help lay the groundwork for a collaborative and responsive council. Your insights on accessing council members, staying informed about key topics, expectations for district engagement, and public input in council and committee meetings will inform our June draft recommendations.

Join us for one of the following listening session!

March 14, 5-7p.m., Virtual session on Zoom

March 19, 5:30-7:30p.m., East Portland Community Center

March 21, 5-7p.m., Register for the virtual session on Zoom

All sessions offer the same content including an educational presentation followed by an hour of small group discussion. All sessions will include interpretation in ASL and Spanish with additional languages upon request.

We will have a recording of our presentation and a survey with the questions asked in discussion posted at portland.gov/transition.  The survey will open Friday, March 8 and will close on Thursday, April 4.

Get to know your new government! Sign up for transition updates!

Welcome to the NPNS Newsletter. Here we highlight exciting events, valuable resources, and amazing projects taking place in North Portland. This newsletter is published the first week of the month. If you have something you’d like us to feature, share the details with NPNS by the last Friday of the month before your event so we can make sure it gets posted.

NEWS & EVENTS

A Conversation about Community Belonging, and ViolenceJoin Oregon Humanities’ Consider This,  at the Alberta Rose Theater on Wednesday, March 13, for a conversation with Father Greg Boyle. Boyle is the founder of Homeboy Industries, a gang intervention, rehab, and reentry program based in Los Angeles. Learn More

Beach Elementary School Tree PlantingUrban Forestry is seeking volunteers to help students plant 29 trees at Beach Elementary School on Tuesday, March 19. Learn More

Apply Now for Community Activities Fund The Office of Community & Civic Life supports neighborhood associations and other community organizations through the Community Activities Fund(CAF). The CAF reimburses volunteer-run organizations in the southwest, north, east neighborhood districts for money spent on community-building and civic engagement activities. Eligible organizations in these areas are invited to apply. Applications are open through May 31 or until funds are gone, whichever comes first. This is a reimbursement program for expenses that are planned or have incurred from July 2023 and June 30, 2024. Learn More

Portland Votes 2024 Grant Program is OpenThe City of Portland has announced Portland Votes 2024 Voter Education Grant Program to prepare voters for ranked-choice voting in upcoming elections. With a focus on non-partisan education, community organizations are invited to apply for grants to assist in voter outreach, particularly targeting historically underrepresented groups. A total of $210,000 is available across various grant categories. Eligible organizations must meet specific criteria and commit to voter education activities. Apply by April 30. Learn more

Exciting Partnership OpportunityHabitat for Humanity ReStores is looking to team up with Neighborhood Associations for a Saturday donation event this spring! ReStores accept new and gently used home items, selling them at discounted prices to support local homebuilding programs. Habitat for Humanity will bring a ReStore truck to your neighborhood for easy drop-offs from 9 am to 12 pm.  You provide a parking spot; Habitat will provide flyers and digital materials. For more information contact businessrelations@pdxrestrore.org or 503-715-7706

St. Johns Spring Fling and Day of the ChildrenJoin your St. Johns neighbors on Saturday, April 27, on the plaza for a day of fun activities and local shopping.  This can’t miss event includes, music, arts and crafts, a drag queen story time and more! Learn More

$3 Million Secured for George ParkCommissioner Ryan is teaming up with Portland Parks & Rec, Portland Parks Foundation, and The Kidz Outside to revitalize George Park. A budget of $3 million in Park System Development Charges will enhance the park’s amenities and capacity, aligning with the neighborhood’s growth. Situated at N. Burr Ave. and N. Fesseden St., George park is set for a neighborhood-friendly upgrade! Learn More

District Coalition Offices Model ChangingIn 2024, Civic Life will streamline the District Coalition Offices (DCO) model, consolidating from 7 to 4 service areas. Nonprofit-run DCOs will support these areas, aligned with Portland’s new voting districts for equitable representation. Civic Life’s Neighborhood Program will provide funding based on population to provide consistent staffing and services. This change aims to enhance advocacy for Portlanders, foster city council engagement, and maintain neighborhood representation. Learn More

Resources

FY 2024-25 Budget Community Listening SessionsCity Council is listening! Join the community and City Council for virtual events and hearings focused on the City of Portland budget for FY 2024-25. Learn More

Income-Qualified Utility Savings PGE’s Income Qualified Bill Discount Program offers a monthly discount off energy use. Eligibility is based on household and income. Learn MoreMultnomah’ County Weatherization Program can reduce energy bills and improve indoor air quality. Free service are available for people with limited incomes. Learn MoreThe City of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services and the Water Bureau offer several financial assistance programs  to income-qualified homeowners. Learn More

Update your Neighborhood Association ContactsIs your neighborhood association contact information up-to-date?  If there have been changes to your contact details or leadership roles within your neighborhood association, please take a moment to provide us with the latest information. Keeping our database current helps us maintain effective communication, ensuring timely updates, event invitations, and important announcements. Thank you for helping us keep our neighborhood association contacts accurate and relevant! Update Contacts

North Portland Events CalendarThe North Portland Events Calendar, coordinated by Kevin Micalizzi of Arbor Lodge, is a centralized Google Calendar aimed to boost community engagement by showcasing and coordinating events from various neighborhood associations. Become an editor to add your events. For invitations, email Kevin at kevin@arborlodgeneigborhood.com. Let’s make our events shine together! Thank you, Kevin, for this fantastic initiative! View Events Calendar

Zoning & Land UseView public notices for North Portland

Portland COAD The Portland Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) is a network of community organizations that prepare for and respond to emergencies and disasters like heatwaves, winter weather and earthquakes. Many COAD partners are a trusted source of information for their communities and are providing lifeline services every week. Virtual meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month from 3 – 4 pm. Sign up for the COAD Bulletinto get the link.

PSACPublic Safety Action Committee (PSAC) is a monthly meeting held to address local North Portland resident and business concerns related to public safety and livability issues. Virtual meetings are held the third Thursday of the month from 7 – 8:30 pm. Subscribe to mailing list to get link.

Interested in Hosting a Candidate Forum? Get the step-by-step Nonprofit’s guide to planning, publicizing and hosting a candidate forum.

Beyond North PortlandWant to stay up to date with other parts of the City and Civic Life? Click on the links to subscribe to East Portland Community Office Newsletter, Southwest Portland Newsletter and the Office of Community and Civic Life Newsletter.

Neighborhood Association Meetings

2024 meeting schedules for all Neighborhood Associations have been posted to the Civic Life website which satisfies Public Meeting Notice requirements of Neighborhood Association Bylaws, Civic Life Standards for Neighborhood Associations and Oregon Statutes Chapter 65 – Nonprofit Corporations. Your help in maintaining a current and useful Neighborhood Program website is appreciated. Please use the link found on your neighborhood page to submit a request to add or update your neighborhood association meeting(s) to the City Events Calendar.

Confirm scheduled meetings, locations, and instructions to join virtual meetings by clicking on the neighborhood

Arbor LodgeThursday, March 21, 7 pmOverlook Monday, March 11, 6:30 pm

BridgetonTuesday, March 12, 6:30 pm (Board Meeting)PiedmontThursday, March 21, 7 pm

Cathedral Park Tuesday,  March 12,  7 pm PortsmouthMonday, February 11, 5:30 pm (Board Meeting)

East ColumbiaWednesday, March 13, 7 pmSt. JohnsMonday, March 11,  7 pm

Hayden IslandThursday, March 17, 7 pmUniversity Park Monday, March 11, 7 pm (Board Meeting)

Kenton Wednesday, March 13, 7 pm (Board Meeting)

Copyright (C) 2024 Office of Community & Civic Life. All rights reserved.