Overlook Neighborhood Update (Jan. 13)

1) OKNA general meeting on Tuesday

2) N Willamette Boulevard Greenway

3) I-84 to I-5 ramp closure Monday and Tuesday

4) Nails scattered on N Interstate Avenue

5) Oak trees and stewardship


1) OKNA general meeting on Tuesday

Join your Overlook neighbors on Tuesday (Jan. 15)  at the monthly general meeting. The agenda includes an update on construction at the adidas campus, information about upcoming highway ramp closures and more. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. and will be upstairs at Kaiser Town Hall (3704 N Interstate Ave.).

2) N Willamette Boulevard Greenway

The Portland Bureau of Transportation is considering creating a neighborhood greenway on N Willamette Boulevard from N Interstate Avenue and N Rosa Parks Way. PBOT hopes the project will improve conditions for people bicycling and walking by slowing down and reducing cut-through traffic on neighborhood streets in the Overlook and Arbor Lodge neighborhoods.

We plan to have PBOT present this project at the February OKNA General Meeting. In the meantime, learn more on the N Willamette Neighborhood Greenway project website.

3) I-84 to I-5 ramp closure Monday and Tuesday

The Oregon  Department of Transportation is nearly finished with its updates to the ramp connecting I-84 westbound to I-5 northbound. The ramp will be closed Monday and Tuesday nights for finishing touches, weather permitting. The ramp will close at 10 p.m. and re-open at 5 a.m. the following morning. Travelers should avoid driving in the area, if possible, during the closures.

Travelers who navigate by landmarks will recognize the I-84 westbound to I-5 northbound ramp as the one you take when you’re travelling from the east side and want to return to Overlook with the Convention Center on your right.

4) Nails scattered on N Interstate Avenue

The Portland Bureau of Transportation and Portland Police are investigating multiple incidents of nails being scattered in the bike lanes on N Interstate Avenue. Bicyclists should continue to exercise caution riding on Interstate, especially between the Hazelnut Grove homeless camp (N Greeley Avenue) and the Moda Center (Rose Quarter).

Anyone who has information that leads to an arrest of the people responsible could receive a $1,000 reward.

5) Oak trees and stewardship

Friends of Baltimore Woods will host a free talk on Jan. 19 about native oaks, their cultural significance to first peoples and stewardship. Greg Archuleta of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde will present the talk. Oregon oak is being preserved and restored in the Baltimore Woods corridor in St. Johns.

The talk takes place 7-8:30 p.m. at the Bureau of Environmental Services Water Lab (6543 N Burlington Ave.).