The regularly scheduled March 20, 2018 Port of Hood River Commission meeting has been postponed to March 22 due to lack of a quorum. The Public Hearing on Administrative Rules governing Public-Private Partnerships related to replacement of the Hood River/White Salmon Interstate Bridge will take place as scheduled, with the hearing beginning at 5:00 PM Tuesday in the Port conference room located at 1000 E. Port Marina Drive in Hood River.
Read MoreBeyond 2030: The Shape of Things to Come, an evening with futurist Glen Heimstra
On Tuesday evening November 14 Glen Hiemstra, founder of Futurist.com in Seattle, will speak about longer-term trends shaping the future of the region and the role that transportation plays in community vitality. Glen’s presentation will offer a sweeping and entertaining overview of the key trend areas shaping the next two decades and beyond: demographics, technology, the knowledge-based economy, environment, and the next energy revolution. The predictable but often surprising nature of the future will be explored and those who attend will be challenged to wake up to the future and to be proactive in the creation of a preferred future. Specific developments that are noted will include the “Internet of things,” driverless vehicles and drones, nanotechnology, 3D communication and entertainment, the disruptive future of energy, aging and youth demographic trends, confronting the great divides in society, environmental challenges and green business opportunities, and biotech advances that offer the hope of longer and healthier lives. Glen offers a hopeful vision for the rest of the 21st century that, if anticipated and dealt with creatively, can create opportunity in our community for the longer term.
The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Doors open at 5:30 and the presentation will begin at 6:00pm.
On November 15 Glen be joining the Port of Hood River staff and Commissioners for a day explore the long-range future, looking ten to twenty years ahead. The purpose is the explore the trends and opportunities that may shape this region, discussing the possible impact on the Port and on the community, so that when we are making shorter term decisions we have this long-term view in mind.
Glen Hiemstra is the Founder and CEO of Futurist.com, based in Seattle, Washington. An international expert on long range trends and processes for creating the preferred future, Glen has advised professional, business, and governmental organizations for more than two decades and served as a technical advisor for futuristic television programs. He is the co-author of Millennial City: How a new generation can save the future, author of Turning the Future into Revenue: What Businesses and Individuals Need to Know to Shape Their Future, and co-author of Strategic Leadership. Futurist.com is regularly visited by people from over 120 nations. Glen has helped enterprises around the world look as far as 100 years into the future to search for strategic opportunities and preferred futures, including industries as diverse as energy, aerospace, transportation, pharmaceuticals and financial services. Glen grew up in the Gorge during his elementary school to high school days, not far from the Vista House in Corbett Oregon. He spent college summers as a lifeguard and state parks maintenance worker at Rooster Rock State Park, including occasional maintenance work up the Gorge at other state parks.
Port responds to Airport growth with neighborhood meetings
From the Fall 2017 Port Newsletter
The Port of Hood River and Fixed Base Operator (FBO) TacAreo co-hosted two public meetings recently at the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum (WAAAM) to address increases in activity at the Ken Jernstedt Airfield and share details on planned multi-phased airport improvement projects.
The first meeting, held on June 22, was a listening session that allowed community members to voice concerns about operations and development at the airport. A noise increase has been noticeable among neighbors as operations escalate, and the Port and airport have received numerous complaints. The meeting, publicized to airport neighbors, had over 80 attendants. Public comment centered primarily on noise increases, safety concerns related to low-flying aircraft, and Orchard Road pedestrian access.
On August 31, the Port held a follow-up public meeting to provide operational, regulatory, and development information as well as details on operational changes made in response to public concerns. A panel of experts from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Oregon Department of Aviation (ODA) and local pilots provided information to around 90 attendees on FAA regulations affecting air traffic patterns and implementation of a “Fly Friendly” program for pilots.
TacAero has made significant changes to their operations including the Fly Friendly program, which recommends pilots fly at certain elevations and keep throttles as low as possible. Additional suggestions were relayed at the meeting that the Port and TacAero will consider. Airport Advisory Committee President Dayle Harris suggested the Port have until March to formulate, present to the public, and seek approval on additional measures to improve neighborly operations at the airport and help reduce noise.
Anticipated airport development is expected to take place over the next five years and includes:
2017
Improvements to safety on the south ramp and taxiways
2018
Construction of a new south ramp hangar by TacAero
Completion of an Environmental Assessment for the north airport improvements
Design completion of the north airport improvements
Beginning site work for north airport improvements
2019
Completion of north area site work
Design and approval of new FBO building and maintenance hangar on airport’s north side
Construction on new FBO and maintenance hangar
Design north apron and taxiway paving and painting
Hours of Bridge Closures for October
UPDATE: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12. The late night closure scheduled for 11PM-3AM tonight has been cancelled. Bridge engineers were able to complete their work ahead of schedule.
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Port crews have developed a schedule for the lift span repair work planned for October 9-10. There will be prolonged, full closures of the bridge between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m Monday – Tuesday, October 9-10. This work will require a series of full lifts of the bridge lift span. Each closure is expected to last 40-60 minutes in duration. Due to these significant delays, motorists are encouraged to cross the Columbia at The Dalles or Cascade Locks during these hours. This work is the result of an act of vandalism to the bridge lift span electrical and mechanical controls that occurred on or around September 21. Anyone with information about the incident are encouraged to contact the City of Hood River police detective Anthony Frasier at (541) 387-5257.
There will be two, late night, four-hour full closures of the Bridge October 11 and 12. These closures will go from 11:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. the nights of the Wednesday (into Thursday morning) and Thursday (into Friday morning). Only emergency response vehicles will be allowed crossings during these hours.These closures are for strain gage testing of the lift span and the staging of equipment for repairs to the auxiliary truss and floorbeam. These night time closure will help to decrease impacts on daytime traffic on the bridge.
Around the Port – Winter/Spring 2016-17
Waterfront Development Update
The new glass façade arising on the waterfront is evidence that Sheppard’s
Sheppards new building under construction
new 20,000 square-foot building at Waterfront Business Park is nearing completion. The 1.93-acre parcel on the corner of N. 2nd Street at Riverside Drive will soon be home to one of the oldest family-owned businesses in the Hood River Valley. Sheppard’s will offer assembly, repair and sales of agriculture machinery at its new site, opening later this spring.
The first phase of construction is in progress at the former Expo Center property along Portway Avenue. The first two of four total buildings under development are planned at approximately 15,000 square feet each. According to Claudia von Flotow of Key Development, completion of the first phase should occur by the end of summer. The second phase will occur along North 2nd Avenue, and is anticipated in 2018-19.
Bridge Lighting Upgrade
New LED roadway light fixtures were purchased from Twice the Light, Inc. for installation on the Hood River Interstate Bridge at a cost of $28,440. John Mann, Port Facilities Manager, said the existing lights were outdated, in disrepair, incurred high electrical costs, and had been an ongoing maintenance issue. Gorge Electric’s installation costs were included in the proposal. The project qualified for an Energy Trust of Oregon incentive program for reimbursement of $5,775, and a Klickitat PUD incentive of $2,160, making the net cost to the Port $20,505. Twice the Light estimates annual energy savings will be over $3,000 per year.
Farewell to two Port Staff Members
Laurie Borton announced her retirement as Marina and Office Manager, effective March 1, after 16.5 years with the Port. Borton says she’ll miss interacting with Commissioners, customers, and Port service providers, but she is ready for more flexibility to spend time with family. She looks forward to increased time with her five grandchildren — aged three to 12, all in the Portland metro area — as well as more time with her mother. “Laurie has earned the affection and admiration from generations of Port staff for her work ethic, collaborative nature and positive attitude,” Port Executive Director Michael McElwee said. “She will also be missed by her colleagues, Commissioners, Port tenants and businesses for her responsiveness and professionalism.” Borton worked at United Telephone for 26 years before joining the Port of Hood River. She’s married to Greg Borton, fire chief at Wy’east Fire District.
Liz Whitmore has moved on from the Port of Hood River to a new position as project manager with Key Development for a downtown Hood River venture. Whitmore was Waterfront Coordinator for the Port for four years, managing primarily recreation-related projects along the Waterfront as well as water sport schools and concessions. She was a lead team member for the construction phase of Nichols Basin West Edge Trail and the Hook Launch and Trail. “Liz built strong relationships with many waterfront stakeholder groups and completed projects that significantly improved pedestrian pathways and water access,” said Port Executive Director Michael McElwee. “The waterfront has been greatly enhanced by her efforts over the last four years.”
Waterfront Parking Management Plan
In cooperation with the City of Hood River, the Port has developed a Parking
Waterfront parking management plan in development
Management Plan with consultation from Rick Williams Consulting for the waterfront area, and has received public comment. The Port is now working with the City’s ad hoc committee on next steps.
New Bridge Tolling System Hardware
In the coming year, the Port plans to replace the lane loops that read axle counts with new electronic toll collection readers. The new system will offer less expensive sticker transponders for customers. The new ETC readers will be multi-protocol readers for existing and new transponders. A contract was approved by the Port Commission for toll system hardware upgrades for the migration to a new tolling system with consultation from HDR Engineering and P-Square Solutions.
The Port also approved a contract with P-Square Solutions, LLC, for implementation of an integrated IT infrastructure and architecture for the bridge tolling system in the amount of $97,777. This upgraded system would enable the Port to integrate to an all-electronic tolling system. This will enhance security, backup and data retrieval for the web portal.
Like Us on Facebook, Follow Us on Twitter
The Port of Hood River established social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter last year to enhance real-time communications with bridge users and Port constituents. The Port invites you to “like” the Port’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/PortofHoodRiver/ and “follow” the Port’s feed on Twitter at Twitter.com/PortofHoodRiver.
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