Wednesday’s Public Involvement meeting brought up a host of issues of interest to Brooklyn neighbors:
Issues of Controversy or Concern:
- Invasive vegetation: holly, ivy, blackberries-how do we get neighbors to control these invasives on their property?
- Landscaping at 9th Avenue pedestrian bridge: How do we get the city to maintain this area on a regular basis?
- Updating the Brooklyn Neighborhood Plan: How do we increase advocacy on city services and infrastructure improvements for our neighborhood?
- Noise Abatement: Many neighbors feel there are unaddressed noise issues in the neighborhood. We plan to invite City of Portland Noise Abatement Officer Paul Van Orden to a future BAC meeting.
- Emergency Preparedness: One neighbor expressed concern that we need a neighborhood-scale emergency preparedness plan for such possible emergencies such as an earthquake, terror event, or other emergencies.
- General condition of housing stock in the neighborhood: As the 1970s-era rental units around the neighborhood start showing their age, how do we encourage landlords to continue to maintain and beautify their properties?
- Housing affordability: How can the BAC impact affordability of housing in the neighborhood? Currently, Reach Community Development is proposing low-income housing units in the neighborhood, and Portland State University is considering a satellite campus in the area.
Wish List for new projects, initiatives, and events:
- Revive the Brooklyn Artwalk
- Establish a new community garden (contact Jacob Heil of Be Academy about getting on the committee: (503) 477-0077)
- Block Party Street Fair–We’re planning a street fair/block party event for August 27th, 2011. There will be music, food, merchant booths, games, a beer garden, and a movie in the park. To get involved come to the next BAC board meeting or general meeting.
- Fruit Tree Gleaning: Second Harvest is an organization that gleans fruit and produce from urban trees.
- BAC Business Fair: BAC is planning a business fair later this spring at one of our general meetings. Stay tuned for the date.
To get involved in any of these issues email us at info@brooklyn-neighborhood.org or come to a future board or general meeting. Thanks to all who made the public involvement meeting a success!
