By Anne Scheck
NEW TRANSPORTATION PROPOSAL PRESENTED
A new transportation system that would include regular bus stops in Independence was presented by Salem transportation planner Ted Stonecliffe at the last city council meeting. Mr. Stonecliffe, who appeared on behalf of Cherriots, Salem’s public transit system, thanked Independence for its previously stated support of this proposed “redesign.”
The plan would change bus transportation from a pattern that has no fixed pathway in Independence – but is available by request 24 hours in advance – to one with scheduled times and locations for travel back and forth to Salem, up to eight times daily. Riders who have difficulty getting to the designated spots could continue to arrange for special pick-up and drop-offs, he explained. The project would be funded with grant money, Mr. Stonecliffe added. Several options are being examined, and public input is being sought (see link below).
However, the concept failed to win approval from the Polk County Board of Commissioners last month. At the city council meeting, Mr. Stonecliffe said there has been some “fence-mending” since that time.
At the most recent meeting of the Polk County Board of Commissioners, Commission Chair Craig Pope explained that a rift occurred more than a year ago, over a bus route from Falls City to other cities, such as Dallas. It was financed as a pilot project – and widely seen as a success, he said. But it failed to win support for more funding from Cherriots. Now, the county is paying for that transportation. “Some of the people who need to go to a pharmacy, who want to shop – they would have no way to do this from out there,” he said. “So we’re using county money.”
Commissioner Pope said he couldn’t rule out the possibility that the Polk County Board of Commissioners might take a more conciliatory view in the future. “I think the (Cherriots) general manager might do well to come to (our) commission meeting,” he commented. (To take a survey on the proposed change, click on this link https://www.cherriots.org/regional/ and scroll down the web page and click on TAKE THE SURVEY.)
NEW TRANSPORTATION PROPOSAL PRESENTED
A new transportation system that would include regular bus stops in Independence was presented by Salem transportation planner Ted Stonecliffe at the last city council meeting. Mr. Stonecliffe, who appeared on behalf of Cherriots, Salem’s public transit system, thanked Independence for its previously stated support of this proposed “redesign.”
The plan would change bus transportation from a pattern that has no fixed pathway in Independence – but is available by request 24 hours in advance – to one with scheduled times and locations for travel back and forth to Salem, up to eight times daily. Riders who have difficulty getting to the designated spots could continue to arrange for special pick-up and drop-offs, he explained. The project would be funded with grant money, Mr. Stonecliffe added. Several options are being examined, and public input is being sought (see link below).
However, the concept failed to win approval from the Polk County Board of Commissioners last month. At the city council meeting, Mr. Stonecliffe said there has been some “fence-mending” since that time.
At the most recent meeting of the Polk County Board of Commissioners, Commission Chair Craig Pope explained that a rift occurred more than a year ago, over a bus route from Falls City to other cities, such as Dallas. It was financed as a pilot project – and widely seen as a success, he said. But it failed to win support for more funding from Cherriots. Now, the county is paying for that transportation. “Some of the people who need to go to a pharmacy, who want to shop – they would have no way to do this from out there,” he said. “So we’re using county money.”
Commissioner Pope said he couldn’t rule out the possibility that the Polk County Board of Commissioners might take a more conciliatory view in the future. “I think the (Cherriots) general manager might do well to come to (our) commission meeting,” he commented. (To take a survey on the proposed change, click on this link https://www.cherriots.org/regional/ and scroll down the web page and click on TAKE THE SURVEY.)
UPDATE: RIVERFRONT – 124 APARTMENTS COMING
A site-design review is in the works for 124-unit apartment complex along the downtown riverfront. “They want to get going,” City Manager Tom Pessemier told the city councilors at their last meeting, referring to the developer, Tokola Properties. The apartments are to be located next to the as-yet unfinished hotel. The development, originally called Independence Landing, is now being referred to in city documents as Osprey Landing subdivision. Both the multi-family housing and the hotel are being built by Tokola of Gresham, Ore.
Tokola company officials estimated last month that the opening for The Independence Hotel would occur in July, but that date now has been pushed back to August. However, Tokola apparently is ready to start the second phase, which includes two apartment buildings, as well as townhomes and duplexes. The company plans to use the vacant land across the street as a staging area for the new construction. No public hearing was required on the proposal, according to forms filed with the city.
A site-design review is in the works for 124-unit apartment complex along the downtown riverfront. “They want to get going,” City Manager Tom Pessemier told the city councilors at their last meeting, referring to the developer, Tokola Properties. The apartments are to be located next to the as-yet unfinished hotel. The development, originally called Independence Landing, is now being referred to in city documents as Osprey Landing subdivision. Both the multi-family housing and the hotel are being built by Tokola of Gresham, Ore.
Tokola company officials estimated last month that the opening for The Independence Hotel would occur in July, but that date now has been pushed back to August. However, Tokola apparently is ready to start the second phase, which includes two apartment buildings, as well as townhomes and duplexes. The company plans to use the vacant land across the street as a staging area for the new construction. No public hearing was required on the proposal, according to forms filed with the city.
IN BRIEF
Skippers, the seafood house on Main Street, has moved to Monmouth (165 S Broad St.) The Picken Chicken, a vintage-vendor shop In Independence, has vacated its location across from the Independence Post Office; It’s now at 120 D Street. Two business-related fees renewed last month by the city are unlikely to affect locally relocating businesses like the Picken Chicken. A business-registration fee, of $25, isn’t required for a move in town, and a business-occupancy fee, of $75, is imposed only on businesses that need city-provided proof of a commercial enterprise, usually for the purposes of securing financing, according to city staff.
Skippers, the seafood house on Main Street, has moved to Monmouth (165 S Broad St.) The Picken Chicken, a vintage-vendor shop In Independence, has vacated its location across from the Independence Post Office; It’s now at 120 D Street. Two business-related fees renewed last month by the city are unlikely to affect locally relocating businesses like the Picken Chicken. A business-registration fee, of $25, isn’t required for a move in town, and a business-occupancy fee, of $75, is imposed only on businesses that need city-provided proof of a commercial enterprise, usually for the purposes of securing financing, according to city staff.
COMING UP
A project manager has been selected for construction oversight of the round-about traffic circle for Highway 99, which is scheduled to be built at the juncture of Clow Corner, according to an announcement at the Polk County Board of Commission meeting. Work on the project may mean some drivers will divert to Highway 51 or other parallel thoroughfares through Independence, according to some commuters who were asked to predict how they might change their homeward or work-heading navigation.
A project manager has been selected for construction oversight of the round-about traffic circle for Highway 99, which is scheduled to be built at the juncture of Clow Corner, according to an announcement at the Polk County Board of Commission meeting. Work on the project may mean some drivers will divert to Highway 51 or other parallel thoroughfares through Independence, according to some commuters who were asked to predict how they might change their homeward or work-heading navigation.
FINAL NOTE
Trammart News wishes you a happy, healthy, fun-filled and safe Fourth of July in a town known far and wide for Independence Day.
Trammart News wishes you a happy, healthy, fun-filled and safe Fourth of July in a town known far and wide for Independence Day.
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