River Street ad hoc group advances 'Option 4' design and orders roll‑plot mock‑up

The River Street Ad Hoc Committee voted unanimously on June 25 to advance a preliminary cross‑section labeled "Option 4" for River Street and to commission a roll‑plot mock‑up (a large paper corridor drawing) that will show how the design would look at a key intersection such as Ninth Street. The committee also agreed to archive previous plan variants on the project website and present Option 4 as the current preferred alternative for public comment.

The option presented by Jim Tolt emphasizes retaining the existing centerline while creating a grade‑separated bike lane, planter strip and sidewalks within a roughly 60‑foot construction impact zone and an estimated 56‑foot permanent footprint in many locations. "With this 3‑D rendering the total impact during construction with Jim's plan is 60 ft in most locations," Tolt said during his presentation of the concept, outlining a cross‑section with two travel lanes and separated bike facilities.

Why it matters: the choice of cross‑section determines how much public right‑of‑way is disturbed, which trees may be affected, and whether intersections will be rebuilt as raised, concrete‑accented nodes or treated with lower‑cost traffic calming measures. Committee members debated tradeoffs including lane widths (typical travel lanes noted at 11–12 feet, and bike lanes discussed as a 5‑ft standard with a 4‑ft minimum), curb treatments and how the design avoids shifting the roadway around existing utility poles.

Safety and character were central to the discussion. Examples of raised intersections and grade‑separated bike lanes were shown from Boise, Beaverton and McMinnville; proponents said raised nodes can calm traffic and add character, while others said stop signs and selective raised treatments may achieve similar calming at lower cost. The group agreed a single, illustrative raised intersection at Ninth Street would be produced in the roll‑plot so members and residents can assess visual and functional tradeoffs.

The motion to prepare the roll‑plot—estimated in discussion at roughly $7,000–$8,000—was moved, seconded and approved without opposition. The committee requested the design be presented in a form that shows the corridor's typical section, one intersection mock‑up (Ninth Street) and enough detail to assess tree impacts and sidewalk continuity. Staff were asked to post Option 4 on the project portal and archive prior options for clarity.

Next steps: committee members set deadlines for related materials and public outreach. Staff will circulate the roll‑plot when ready; the committee set a two‑week schedule for receiving the tree‑selection suggestions and a follow‑up meeting on July 16 to review the roll‑plot and community feedback.