For pedestrians and bicycle commuters, navigating the Third Street corridor is a blood pressure and hair-raising four-lane game of Frogger. The hectic dividing line between east and west Bend is choked with cars and trucks, hardly accommodating those traveling by bike or on foot.
But that may be changing.
That auto-centricity is exactly what Matt Hastie, a Portland-based planning consultant, addressed in front of a packed house at a Bend Central District concepting discussion last Thursday, to the cheers of many, and the chagrin of a few. The meeting, held at City Hall, was all part of a 20-year plan, funded in part by a transportation grant awarded to the city and meant to increase green space and mobility in a spot now clogged with cars and parking lots.
Specifically, Hastie explained an implementation strategy that would bring much wider sidewalks, bigger and more complete bike lanes, and higher-rise mixed-use buildings to Bend’s Central District. The idea behind what is referred to as “the multi-modal mixed use area” (MMA) is that by increasing density, residents and tourists would be better able to shop, dine and visit—all while leaving the car keys at home. While such progressive changes sparked excited chatter after the hour-long presentation, a handful of those in attendance were less than impressed.
“This abrogates the rights of the individual,” said one cranky resident, before storming out of the room. “You people will do what you want; it will turn out badly.”
The man’s sentiments were echoed by several others, some business owners and some residents—most over 50—who feared new zoning requirements might squash their car-centric lifestyles. In contrast, the audience’s younger members largely voiced approval for the MMA concepts, and it became hard to ignore the sharp generational divide.
Still, there was some common ground. A handful of audience members, young and old, asked, how might the proposed changes affect area businesses?
“Multi-modal mixed use areas are intended to be more intensely developed,” Hastie explained. And while there would likely be less land devoted to parking, increased walkability and easier commuting options should boost business in the Central District.
Some of the potential changes Hastie floated were chopping Third Street from four lanes to two. The new space, Hastie said, could be used for on-street parking, and sidewalk and bike lane expansion. To help with traffic overflow, Second and Fourth Streets would need to be further developed and possibly transformed into opposing one-way couplets.
Such a revamp would require zoning modifications—mixing residential with business and industrial.
“It assumes some fairly tall buildings,” Hastie said of the plans. But new, multi-story buildings wouldn’t be as tall as originally thought. “Six to eight stories, max,” said Hastie. Mostly, it would include three-to-five story buildings with residential or office space above.
Living within an easy walk of grocery and drug stores, restaurants and cafes, workspace and green space has another benefit, too.
“I think it would potentially increase property values,” Hastie said.
Details:
The Bend Central District stretches as far north as NE Revere Avenue and as far south as the rail line above Third Street. The Bend Parkway (OR-97) acts as the western boundary, while NE Fourth Street is the eastern boundary. Part of Thursday’s public meeting focused on the appropriateness of the boundary lines as they’re currently depicted in the MMA draft plan.
The next planning meeting is scheduled for some time in March, though no time or day has been identified. Stay up to date and voice your opinions at bendcentralmma.org.
This article appears in Winter Adventure.
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That sounds fantastic. And we need a street car that goes up and down 3rd and loops around through downtown via Newport and Colorado to connect the entire commercial core.
This plan is insane and clearly designed by people who have either just moved here are out of towners. We have this thing called WINTER here. If you think there is some critical mass of folks who are just chomping at the bit to swap their comfy, WARM car for a cold/unsafe bike ride, you are nuts. Several of my friends “downsized” their vehicles to Vespas while that was trendy in 2007-2009. Did any of them keep them after their first winter use? Not a one.
Also, if this is meant to happen and truly supported by a majority of the community, it will happen through organic means; not pushed by those clearly carrying an agenda. I personnaly can’t think of a better way to spur the break up of Bend into distinct parts with distinctly different values. If this cultural division proceeds apace as I foresee, I will not be surprised to see an East Bend and West Bend government 20 years hence.
In response to to “Eastsider” – I encourage you to visit Missoula, MT or Minneapolis, MN in the winter. You will find them both crawling with bicycle commuters of wide age ranges ALL YEAR LONG. Rain, snow, cold, all taken in stride. As a long-time bike commuter in Portland and a relative newbie to it in Bend, 3rd ave is currently an unavoidable danger/deterrant/obstacle on my daily commute. With built in safe passages around town I think we would all be surprised at how many two-wheeled commuters emerge. As a simple and much cheaper proposal I would suggest a pedestrian/cyclist overpass at Neff or Greenwood.
If anyone lives within 5 miles of their work, try bike commuting on for size for one good month (perhaps start in the summer), you may be suprised at the benefits (saves $$$, mental health, physical health, energy during the day, etc.).
In response to TwoWheels,
Funny. When I went to work at 5 AM two days ago during the icestorm we had, I didn’t see any bikes on the road. Furthermore, from my office which looks over parts of downtown, I didn’t see much of anyone walking or biking around until Noon at the earliest. You know who I did see though? 4×4’s, Trucks and cars with studs or winter tires. Amazing!
I have no problems with bike tunnels and safer/more bike lanes. It keeps folks from riding on sidewalks, keeps mixed mode traffic separate from each other, etc. I do have to say, though, I prefer that they are user funded by the bikers themselves through permits.
Just please don’t act like shutting down the main surface, i.e. Non-Parkway, arterial road that runs right down the middle of our largest commercial district isn’t going to have major repercussions to the citizens that live and work here and that this wouldn’t come at the cost of the daily car communter who are still in the majority. Additionally, not everyone can afford or be fortunate enough to live within walking or riding distance of their jobs. Finally, some of us like a little logic served alongside our daily cup o’ Optimism…
In response to Eastsider
A lesson on “Logic”
Logic is not modeling the future by looking at the past. Sort of like we don’t need curb side Hitching post and water troughs any more. Moving forward we will need less infrastructure for the 5000 lb single occupant gas burners. For intracity transport these devices are not only antiquated but expensive, according to Edmunds.com, costing between five to eight thousand per year, that’s a lot to afford no matter which side of town you live in.
As for your idea of cyclist paying for these improvements, I would love to just as soon as the motoring public pays its fair share for the needless environmental degradation caused by the mindless and unnecessary over consumption of fossil fuels, currently we are all paying for this, you are needlessly spewing know carcinogens and other toxins directly into the air we are all breathing. Many times while I am waiting in traffic inhaling car exhaust, I wish these people around me, these people trapped in their cages could experience the pleasure of cycle commuting. It’s very empowering contributing to your own mobility, and I love it. Over the last five years it has saved me thousands while increasing my physical strength and endurance. Remember my means of transportation runs on fat and saves me money while your car runs on money and makes you fat.
I have lived in Bend since 1990 and could not be happier about the direction of our transportation leaders. This plan is not “insane” insane is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, and that can’t be any fun.