Overlook Neighborhood Update (May 1, 2015)

1) Neighborhood cleanup a huge success
2) Most Overlook streetlights now LED
3) May is national bike month
4) Overlook Neighborhood Association Board meeting (May 5)

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1) Neighborhood cleanup a huge success

On Saturday, April 25, more than 30 OKNA neighbors and friends showed up to spend a beautiful morning cleaning up part of our neighborhood. They focused on N Going Street and the Pittman Addition HydroPark, cutting back overgrowth and weeds, picking up trash, and painting over graffiti. Special thanks to businesses who contributed labor including representatives from New Seasons and Swan Island businesses.

Thanks to everyone for the hard work! In just two hours, they gathered more than a half ton of garbage and a huge pile of plant material.

The event was sponsored by Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, Metro, North Portland Neighborhood Services, Overlook Neighborhood Association, Portland Bureau of Transportation and Swan Island Business Association/Swan Island TMA. Thank you all.

Special thanks to Eisenhower Bagels which donated bagels to keep the workers energized and Mulysa Melco at Resilience Design who donated organic tomato starts for the workers to take home.

(Photo by Michael O'Brien)
(Photo by Michael O’Brien)

cleanup2
(Photo by Cynthia Sulaski)

(Photo by Cynthia Sulaski)
(Photo by Cynthia Sulaski)

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2) Most Overlook streetlights now LED

Portland’s largest ever energy-efficiency project is happening citywide with the installation of energy-saving LED street lights in each neighborhood, and an interactive map allows the public to track real-time progress on their street. It shows that Overlook Neighborhood was one of the first to be converted.

led lightsThe Portland Bureau of Transportation crews are converting 45,000 of the City’s 55,000 street lights to environmentally-friendly LED (light-emitting diode) lights, a process that is expected to be complete by the end of 2016.

Green dots show lights that have been installed; red indicates lights that will be converted. The map also allows the public to send in questions and feedback on each street light.

The new LED street lights are easily identifiable: they cast a crisp light similar to moonlight, unlike the yellow-tinged light from the high-pressure sodium bulbs they replace.  The new LEDs bring numerous benefits: they use half the energy of the high-pressure sodium bulbs and are expected to last four times longer, or up to 20 years.   That translates to a $1.5 million annual savings in energy and maintenance, and a reduction of about 10,500 tons of carbon pollution each year.

Read more online.

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3) May is national bike month

In celebration of National Bike Month in May, the Portland Bureau of Transportation is hosting over a dozen events, including rides, clinics and refreshment stations to encourage people to get out, get active and have fun.  National Bike Month also celebrates people who already are riding and encourages them to invite friends and colleagues to join in the fun of biking to work, school and everyday errands.

A complete list of events may be found at www.pdxbikemonth.com.

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4) Overlook Neighborhood Association Board meeting (May 5)

OKNA logoOverlook Neighborhood Association regular board meeting
Tuesday, May 5, 6:30 p.m.
Overlook House (3839 N Melrose Dr.)
Agenda