Median trees on Powell Blvd. in question

Since 2007 local and state transportation agencies have wrangled with the canopy complications surrounding planned improvements of Powell Blvd., also known as U.S. 26.

There are a little over $1M in improvements planned—including enhanced pedestrian and bike crossings at key intersections—but only about $400,000 worth have been approved and funded.

A collective uproar could be heard from the Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Coalition (SEUL) after a meeting in April when local business owners proposed using the planned improvements as an opportunity to remove all of the median trees on the road from SE 50th to 82nd.

A spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) said that median trees and sidewalks fall under the maintenance jurisdiction of the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT).

“ODOT supports what the community and the city want to do with the median,” said Mike Mason, community affairs coordinator with ODOT.

“ODOT removed 12 trees to build ADA compliant curb ramps and new crosswalks,” said Mason, “These will be replaced with 47 new trees in the project area.”

The project area, where the new Americans with Disabilities Act compliant sidewalks will be installed, is between SE 51st and I-205.

There are dozens of substantial median trees along Powell Blvd., most of which are in large concrete planters that can grow long grass that is difficult for PBOT to cut back.

Regardless, the SEUL emphatically rejected the notion of removing all median trees as a part of any U.S. 26 improvement plant.

“There is clearly strong support from the community for keeping trees,” acknowledged Ginny Peckinpaugh, who works on transportation issues at the mayor’s office.

Unmaintained, tall grass is also an issue, but Peckinpaugh said any further plans will only be implemented after further community discourse and if additional stimulus funds become available.

Have you driven down Powell Blvd. lately—what do you think of this issue? Are the trees and grasses a hindrance or worth protecting?

Additional information on the Powell Blvd. Streetscape Plan from ODOT and PBOT.

–Toshio Suzuki