Overlook Neighborhood Update (April 28)

1) OKNA Board Meeting
2) Grant funding available for North Portland projects
3) Ride Biketown for free in May
4) Street maintenance on N Rosa Parks Way


1) OKNA Board Meeting

The Overlook Neighborhood Association Board will meet on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Historic Overlook House. Items on the agenda include the future of Overlook Views newsletter, guests at the May General Meeting, air quality and more. The meeting is open for the public to attend and observe.

2) Grant funding available for North Portland projects

The Board of Directors of the Lester Viles North Portland Project Association announces its 2018 funding cycle. Founded in 2007 with a bequest by the estate of North Portland businessperson Lester Viles, LVNPPA believes that strong businesses are an integral part of vibrant communities, and we help North Portland businesses grow and thrive through community improvement grants.

Each year, LVNPPA awards approximately $10,000 to community groups, small businesses or organizations in North Portland, funding projects that aim to enhance the community.

Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on May 31. Grant awards will be announced by June 30.

To learn more about LVNPPA, funding priorities, application materials and prior grantees, visit lvnppa.org.

3) Ride Biketown for free in May

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and Biketown have announced a special promotion for the month of May – ride free all month and park free at any public bike rack in the entire Biketown service area.

New and existing Biketown riders will all qualify for 90 minutes of free ride time per day. After 90 minutes of daily use, users will be charged 10 cents per minute. Annual members of the bike share program will receive a promotional code for a $12 discount to cover their membership fee for the month. The promotion applies to Biketown’s sister programs as well – Adaptive Biketown, which makes biking accessible for people with disabilities, and Biketown for All, which offers discounted Biketown memberships to Portland-area residents living on low incomes.

Throughout the month of May, Biketown riders will be able to park their bikes at any public bike rack within the Biketown service area for no additional fee, expanding on the program’s pre-existing Super Hub Zones. PBOT and Biketown will also offer “Waterfront Wednesdays” — free, guided bike rides from Waterfront Park at noon every Wednesday in May for people interested in trying Biketown in a comfortable, low-stress setting on Better Naito and the Eastbank Esplanade. Meet at the Biketown station at SW Salmon at Naito, across the street from Salmon Springs Fountain.

People interested in taking advantage of BIKETOWN’s free ride promotion must sign upthrough the website, mobile app or at a station kiosk and select the “Single Ride” plan. Current BIKETOWN Annual Members can log in to their account, choose “Memberships” and apply the “BIKEMONTH18” promo code to their existing account. Day passes will still be charged $12 for three hours of ride time.

4) Street maintenance on N Rosa Parks Way

The Portland Bureau of Transportation began street improvements on N Rosa Parks Way from N Willamette Boulevard to N Delaware Avenue this week, and work is expected to continue through May 7. The work will take place from 7 a.m. through 4 p.m. each work day and weekend.

The lane closures will allow crews to grind and pave 1.75 lane miles of pavement. Streets with ground down surfaces are open for travel. Lane closures are only in effect during project hours.  Access will be maintained for businesses and residents during the project.

The traveling public is advised to expect delays while repairs are being made. Please travel cautiously, observe all lane closures and directions by reader boards and flaggers, and use alternate routes if possible.

This work is weather-dependent and the schedule may change.