Restore South Park Blocks Parking Ban

To:  The Portland Department of Transportation

We, the undersigned, join the Portland Downtown Neighborhood Association in urging the city to restore the long-standing parking ban along the inner perimeter of the South Park Blocks.

For 25 years, the South Park Blocks were protected by restrictions on parking. However, last year the Portland Department of Transportation [PDoT] rescinded these restrictions, adding 91 metered spaces along the edges of one of Portland's most cherished public places. 

A slide presentation explaining the DNA's concerns is available at: 
http://www.slideshare.net/guestd7375/park-blocks-parking-presentation

Issues addressed in the slide presentation include:

•  Adequacy of Public Consultation and Decision-Making Process
•  Impact on Park Activity and Uses
•  Impact on Public Safety
•  Impact on Pedestrian Safety
•  Aesthetic Impact
•  Compatibility with Existing Planning and Policy Directives

Parking was originally removed as part of the extensive renovation of the park undertaken in 1983. At that time, public hearings were held and formal votes were taken both by the Design Commission and by Council. By contrast, PDoT returned inner-perimeter parking solely by administrative edict. Consultation was limited and no public process comparable to that of the original 1983 decision was undertaken.

As supporters of parks and public spaces in downtown Portland, we join the DNA in asking PDoT to reverse its decision.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Restore South Park Blocks Parking Ban Petition to The Portland Department of Transportation was created by Portland Downtown Neighborhood Association and written by Daniel Friedman (daniel.friedman.portland@gmail.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.