Jacob Loeb – Montavilla News

On August 22nd, officials and invited guests gathered for the 82nd Avenue Major Maintenance Project groundbreaking ceremony. Speakers looked toward the future of the former state highway while acknowledging the decades-long work needed to achieve that vision. This collection of improvement projects along 2.5 miles of 82nd Avenue will invest $55 million towards repairs needed to increase safety and improve road conditions. Work now underway represents a significant portion of the $185 million allocated to updates along the commercial corridor, and the community has an opportunity to shape the next wave of project priorities through a survey.

*_{PBOT provided rendering of potential 82nd Avenue streetscape after years of development and improvements to transit}*

Projects currently underway or entering the construction phase will deliver 14 new pedestrian crossings and eight new traffic signals. Road crews will repave four miles of 82nd Avenue, and workers will upgrade street lighting for better visibility on both sides of the street. People can expect sidewalk reconstruction in limited areas, with upgraded curb ramps to meet modern accessibility standards and stormwater handling improvements along the road’s edge. Mid-street medians and left-turn controlling infrastructure in specific locations will address safety needs while allowing customers access to businesses. In an effort to increase the tree canopy, contractors will plant trees and other foliage in medians and along sidewalks where street width and underground utility obstructions allow space.

*_{From left to right Zachary Lauritzen, JJ Kunsevi, Jacob Loeb, Commissioner Mingus Mapps, and Rep. Khanh Pham (photo by Nancy Chapin)}*

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is hosting an online Open House to help people learn more about these projects and future enhancements planned on and around 82nd Avenue. Raimore Construction is leading work along the corridor, which will extend through Fall 2026. The current 82nd Avenue Major Maintenance Construction Schedule is available online.

Disclosure: The author of this article serves on the Building a Better 82nd Community Advisory Group and spoke at the August 22nd groundbreaking.

Jacob Loeb

Speakers seen in main photo from right to left: PBOT Director Millicent Williams, State Representative Khanh Pham, Jacob Loeb – 82nd Avenue Business Association, JJ Kunsevi – Student Representative to the Portland Public Schools Board of Education and a Senior at McDaniel High School, Jeff Moreland Sr. – Raimore Construction, and Zachary Lauritzen – Oregon Walks. Photo by Nancy Chapin

2020 Montavilla Neighborhood Association (MNA) elections have two candidates running for open positions on the Board. As both positions are currently unfilled, each candidate is running unopposed. Taylor Wells seeks the position of Public Safety Chair. Jacob Loeb seeks the position of Corresponding Secretary. Elections will be held online starting at 6:30 PM on November 9th, and ending 24 hours later. Those who have attended a general meeting in the past year are eligible to vote. You can attend the November 9th meeting (via zoom) and vote after the meeting.

TAYLOR WELLS – Candidate for Public Safety Chair:

There are many safety-related items to address in our neighborhood – from the rise in crime recently to earthquake/emergency preparation to safer roads for our children to play in. I believe I can make the most impact by immediately addressing the three issues below and start connecting with other Public Safety Board Members in SE and greater Portland to see what initiates are working and what changes we could bring to our neighborhood. I’d also like to bring in thought-leaders around these Public Safety issues to help educate our residents on how to address them. I’d also love to hear from members of the Association to see what safety-related concerns I can help potentially address.

Ultimately, I cannot achieve these goals on my own so I’d like to foster more participation in MNA to help get more ideas and resources to improve the safety of our neighborhood.

Top 3 issues:

Earthquake / Emergency Preparation
Protecting ourselves against theft / how to look out for each other
Reducing high-speed reckless drivers

About me: I’m an Oregon native and lived in Montavilla for 2 years now with my wife. I go on almost daily walks or bike rides around the neighborhood, Pre-COVID working remotely from many of the coffee shops or tea shops (RIP Townshends), and play futsal soccer in the Montavilla Park during the summer. My sister and her husband & daughter live in the neighborhood and I’ve met some amazing friends on my street and in the area.

Looking forward to potentially serving our neighborhood!

JACOB LOEB – Candidate for Corresponding Secretary:

Montavilla is a robust community with engaged residents and businesses. The Montavilla Neighborhood Association has an opportunity and an obligation to serve the community by providing a collective voice. As Corresponding Secretary, I intend to expand MNA communication and solicit the broadest possible involvement from our community.

Beyond communication, I will identify resources that can improve the neighborhood. The city, county, and Metro have programs designed to enhance public life. MNA’s involvement with those organizations will help direct resources where the community needs them.

Neighborhood trash and litter is a challenge we all need to address. It may not be our fault, but it is our problem to solve. MNA can work with the City of Portland to bring in more public trash cans. However, that alone will not solve the problem. We will need to organize community cleanups targeting problem public spaces. To facilitate those cleanups, MNA needs to consider providing dumpsters to the community. Not only will dumpsters house trash collected from the street cleanups, but it also provides a space for our community’s unhoused to dispose of their trash responsibly.

About me: I moved to the Montavilla neighborhood 15 years ago to provide a safe and comfortable home for my family. I work in the IT industry and prefer bike commuting when I travel to an office.

Montavilla News does not endorse individual candidates or ballot measures

Disclosure: The author of this article is one of the candidates.