The East side project should move forward including vacating the Sandy Blvd transition to 7th between SE Washington and E Burnside. These 6 blocks could be reassembled into mixed use, including housing and jobs close to downtown. With fuel prices expected to be higher yet in years to come, we will need that combination. Built taller, 10 stories plus, with family friendly room configurations, it could complement the organic business and job development underway in the area and boost Portland school enrollment.

The West side project will help with the very real problem of pedestrian accidents on lower Burnside. The proliferation of nightclubs in the area with added housing in Oldtown are increasing the risks. (Someone from the City should bring that data to the public meeting)

On the West side, wider sidewalks and street parking will improve the experience of walking on the sidewalks, benefitting business there.

Currently the safest bridges for bicyclists are the Hawthorne and Broadway bridges. Properly planned, the project has the potential to make the Burnside bridge and it's approaches safe for bicyclists.

It's time to reach out to the people who strongly oppose the project, listen, understand their concerns and provide them with the research that went into the project. After that, it's time to act.