Bend neighborhood assn. displeased with transportation measure

Old Farm District wants to see top focus on neighborhood safety projects

BEND, Ore, - (KTVZ) - As the city of Bend finalizes its $180 million transportation bond measure for the May ballot, the Old Farm District Neighborhood Association has released a statement voicing its displeasure.

In the statement, released last Friday, the association said, "We believe the first priority of the bond should be shifted to emphasize the safety of people above all else. We hope city council finds a way to hear the community and finally fully invest in Bend that our neighbors envision."

The city's proposal has several goals, primarily to improve safety and east traffic congestion. But James Dorofi, chair of the Old Farm neighborhood group, says people living outside of Bend would actually benefit more from some of the proposed improvements.

"This bond is going to be for Bend voters, but it's also going to benefit people that live (elsewhere) in Central Oregon," Dorofi said. "They are not going to be the ones paying for it."

The city's proposed bond would be funded by a property tax that would cost an estimated $160-$170 a year for the average homeowner. Empire Avenue, Butler Market Road, Reed Market Road and Wilson Avenue are the streets that will get some of the main attention in the measure's projects.

“It’s an ongoing process," Mayor Sally Russell told NewsChannel 21 on Wednesday. "The city has never had enough money to do everything we need to do. We are going to stretch every dollar and every dime.”

An overpass at the Reed Market railroad crossing is part of the proposal, an element that Dorofi does not support.

To him, the choice is: "Five minutes on Reed Market saving time (with the overpass) or nine roundabouts getting in and out of neighborhood and in and out of schools safer."

Councilors will meet on Feb. 5 to finalize the ballot measure language and to explain what the money will fund.