Aloha Grange warns Alexander Street plans would restrict parking and ADA access

Sarah Richmond, president of the Hoedowners Square Dance Club, told the board the Aloha Grange at 185th and T.V. Highway is a nearly 100-year-old community center serving seniors, people with disabilities, and multiple clubs and asked the county to help amend the Alexander Street project (project 1661) after the grange received inadequate notice during review.

"Under the current Alexander Street plans, our only parking lot and our only disability access to the lower level would be significantly restricted," Richmond said, adding that the constrained lot would leave the grange room for only "like three cars" and jeopardize the building's accessibility and community uses. She described a recent meeting with county planner Jason Kevitt that identified possible options including installing a pedestrian crosswalk west of the grange to direct pedestrian traffic away from the parking entrance, installing an elevator to provide internal ADA access, and identifying the owner of an adjacent south-side lot to secure formal access.

Richmond urged the board to be aware of the issue and support amendments that balance project goals with preserving the grange's community function. She also mentioned broader local appeals related to a separate project (Hillsboro Jet Hub) and invited commissioners to attend as private citizens if they chose.