u/SpicyTangy

I've shopped at WinCo by bike regularly for over a decade. There has always been a sidewalk curb cutout ramp located just before the bicycle racks. It was very useful because pedestrian traffic is much lighter there than it is right at WinCo's entrance and exit.

The ramp was suddenly removed and replaced with a 4-inch curb. There are no markings or signage alerting customers of the change.

Luckily, I discovered the change in daylight when it was freshly poured and caution tape made it visible. A long-term customer discovering the change at night and/or in the rain could be seriously injured.

I've sent WinCo the following request:

At the very least, please ask the landlord to clearly mark the spot for several weeks to lessen the chances of accidents.

Next, please consider that many people cannot navigate over a 4-inch curb. Cargo bikes, e-bikes, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, or any bike with a grocery load is now forced into pedestrian traffic just outside your entrance and exit, where the only ramps are located.

Please ask the landlord to consider better caution signage and markings at that point. That is where many cyclists will now need to mount and dismount. These improvements will enhance safety for all WinCo and plaza customers.

I've attached three photos. Two show the old ramp circled in the background, and the bikes of customers who probably cannot navigate the curb. One shows the removed ramp and an individual forced into the roadway by its absence. (Consented to photo but blurred face anyway.)

If you also want to message Winco about this, go to https://apps.wincofoods.com/contact-winco-foods/ and select Oregon store #132 Portland--Powell from the dropdown.

Edit: Or mail the property owner at Powell Street I LLC, at 901 NE Glisan, Portland, 97323 (thx Darnocpdx for this info).

PBOT recently repurposed an area of pavement for pedestrian and recreational use, at SE 72nd Ave and Schiller St. (between Foster and Holgate) in Foster-Powell.

It is a trial installation. In the next two to six weeks, PBOT will review feedback from the community and usage data to decide whether to keep the plaza or revert it to car use.

Many of us love the plaza and want it to stay.

But a small group of very organized and vocal opponents is upset about things like losing the ability to make turns and u-turns in their cars. They have been very loud at community meetings. They've interrupted volunteer gatherings. Some have even been actively discouraging others from using it.

As the photos show, it has become a battle.

Without major input from cyclists and other non-car-centered people, we will likely lose this amenity. And it could set an unwanted precedent for future Portland road repurposing endeavors.

Here's what you can do. Five minutes on any one item will help:

Visit the plaza at 72nd and Schiller. Take photos of yourself and/or others enjoying it. Share these on the Instagram firlandparkway page and with the email addresses below.

Take PBOT's input survey on the plaza:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SchillerPlaza

Email PBOT to let them know why you support the plaza:

PortlandStreetplazas@portlandoregon.gov

Email Foster-Powell Community Association to let them know why you support the plaza:

contact@fosterpowell.com

Consider starting or ending a Bike Summer ride at the plaza, or make it a stop along the way.

More info on the Firland Parkway and Schiller (Firland) Plaza:

https://fosterpowell.com/firland-parkway-path

https://www.portland.gov/transportation/planning/plazas/pilot-plaza#toc-schiller-plaza

Some talking points:

-Thank you PBOT for remembering that transportation includes more than just cars.

-The plaza has already provided a connecting and recreation point for many pedestrians and cyclists. There have been community meetups, flower giveaways, game playing, crafting, and mini piano concerts.

-The plaza connects two pedestrian greenways and a years-in-the-making walking path, providing a respite from having to worry about car cross-traffic.

-It provides a much-needed boost to a neighborhood whose walkability and bikeability has suffered in recent years due to many businesses leaving.

-It provides a visible signal for cars to slow down a bit, on a road that desperately needs such measures. If you've ever biked down 72nd with a car tailgating you and no place to get over, you know what I'm talking about.

-The small repurposed area is on a minimal-traffic side street that ends or jogs just a few blocks away on either side, and that has car-friendly alternatives (Holgate and Foster) nearby. It's hard to find a better location nearby.

-During Portland's long cloudy (and often muddy) season, it will likely get even more use.

-And, of course: We already have plenty of roadways for cars.