Frontage Road Feasibility Study Open House April 9, 4-7

cgka · Since 18 Jul 2006 278 Posts Obsessed

The Port of Hood River is doing a feasibility study to determine if a frontage road should be built on the north side of I 84 crossing the Hood River to alleviate traffic problems during peak traffic periods during the summer. They are holding an open house on Wednesday April 9th from 4 til 7 PM at the Port of Hood River's offices at 1000 E Port Marina Dr. Hood River. If you have any questions or are trying to determine if you are For or Against the frontage road, I highly recommend you attend the Open House. As the waterfront users group (both Kiteboarders and Windsurfers) we will need to have a position on this at the end of the summer. I will be using this forum to communicate information and determine the vote of the kiteboarding community as things progress.

Thank you for your support.

Jim Grady
CGKA President

G.Reed · Since 30 Jul 2006 51 Posts

Last night, the Hood River Planning Commission voted to pass the development of 45 townhomes at the Nichol's boatworks site. This was a monumental decision affecting the waterfront area shared by all of us. Unfortunately, this decision was made with only 4 citizens (2 kiteboarders) present to express their concerns. I want to thank Jim Grady for his attendance and comments which could directly affect the project for our benefit.
Even though this project is will have a large impact, it is only a drop in the bucket when compared with the effects which Frontage Rd may have. Imagine a busy street like Oak St. running straight through the waterfront area. [b]Now please attend the Port of Hood River's Open House on Wednesday[/b] . Get informed, voice your opinion and spread the word. The gorge is changing and we share the responsibility of making these changes positive.

Thank You,
Gary Reed[/u]

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Wow that's big news... is there any materials detailing the plans online? or if someone could email me materials I could post it.

Does this mean that they'd dredge out the boat works channel?

G.Reed · Since 30 Jul 2006 51 Posts

I just found out a few more things as to how this process works...

The planning commission approved the project pending some things concerning road improvements.

There will be another meeting on April 21st where this should go through the planning commission but it can still be appealed at which point it would go to the City Council.

I won't be here on the 21st but urge people to attend and be heard. Some of the issues I brought up were the limited parking. I was answered that there were 85 spaces for 45 units but the large majority of these spaces were garages. I don't believe garages would accomodate the vans with board racks and trailers which would lead to overflow parking.
I asked about a wind analysis but was told it had been determined irrelevant from past meetings on possible hotels.
I also brought up the point that the meetings were held first during the Casino meeting and second during the NCAA national championships resulting in few people attending.
To answer Phil, they are planning on filling in the waterside of the lot to make more room. It will be a green area with a walking path. They are not looking at dredging it out.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Hmm interesting, thanks for the info Gary!

Hopefully they don't block the wind eh, that river boat made launching from the sandbar parking lot a real pain in the ass.