By Stan Penkin
Residents and businesses in the vicinity of the North Blocks are facing an unanticipated deterioration of their livability and quality of life. The Bolt Bus (owned by Greyhound) stop previously located downtown on Salmon St. was suddenly relocated several months ago to NW Everett St. between Park and Broadway. This was of immediate concern to local residents as they experienced a dangerous back up of traffic, cars maneuvering and double parking for drop off and pick up, idling busses creating noise and pollution, trash strewn on the street, people milling about in doorways and an overall disruption of normal life. Minimal mitigation was achieved over the idling issue via direct contact with the company’s representative, but all the other issues remain and will be further exacerbated by the placement of a bikeshare station at the corner of Everett and Park immediately adjacent to the stop.
When walking or driving through the area at certain times of the day, one can see as many as three busses backed up, through traffic and Trimet busses trying to maneuver around the Bolt busses and the double parked cars, not to mention the trash left behind. Now, with a large number of bikes added to the mix, this is an accident waiting to happen.
While this location is designated as a bus zone, one must doubt that it was intended to create such a dangerous and hazardous situation. This is a serious safety and livability concern, not only for the neighborhood, but for all those who drive, bike and walk through this busy street in the heart of the Pearl.