HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence ODOT 6/13/2011 OF • •
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!I! ° regon Department of Transportation
z John A.Kitzhaber,MD,Governor 455 Airport Rd SE Bldg B
Salem,OR 97301-5395
June 6, 2011 503-986-2600
FAX 503-986-2630
Mr. Damien Gilbert, PE
Branch Engineering, Inc.
310 5th Street
Springfield, OR 97477
Re: Your recent communication on the Boyles Mixed-use Development
Mr. Gilbert,
Thank you for taking the time to include me in your recent communication on the Boyles
Mixed-use Development. It is very important that we consider your perspective and we
appreciate the thoroughness of your message.
As your letter indicates, and as a follow-up meeting has reflected, you feel that your
professional credibility has been called into question. Please let me reassure you that this
is not the case. If comments have left you with that impression, we need to work harder
to improve the clarity of those comments.
ODOT is proud of its lengthy and successful record of collaborating with diverse
interests. Such a record can not be built without candid communication and dogged
determination to resolve issues while keeping safety paramount in the pursuit of the final
solution.
As you are aware, the safety challenges associated with the OR 126B corridor call for
special considerations. The area of the proposed development has a crash rate and a
pedestrian fatality rate higher than the state average. Rightfully, the community has
pressed many agencies to work together to make this road safer for all. ODOT has
stepped-up with a large part of the solution in its commitment to fund and build
signalized pedestrian crosswalks. Our commitment also mandates that we remain
vigilant with all decisions affecting the corridor, including access requests. You are
correct in discerning a higher level of scrutiny.
At the same time, the community needs and expects opportunities for economic growth
and affordable housing that your project offers. So we are tasked with balancing that
need and expectation with the concurrent demand that there be no degradation of safety.
I am encouraged that the most recent meeting of May 26, 2011 was a productive meeting
between you and the ODOT team. The staff assures me of their recommitment to an
open dialogue with you and a renewed determination to reach an understanding on the
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,ate Received: Ln!
Planner: SH
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Boyles Mixed-Use Development on OR Hwy. 126 Page 2
issues. I hope the approval of the most recent extension request will provide ample time
to collect the additional information required.
Again, thank you for getting in touch with me and for your continued patience as we
work toward resolution.
Sincerely,
Eryca McCartin
Region 2 Manager
Cc: Matt Garrett, ODOT Director
Paul Mather, ODOT Highway Division Administrator
Michael Liebler, City of Springfield
Steve Hopkins, City of Springfield
David Warren, ODOT District 5 Manager
Gerry Jester, ODOT Access Management Coordinator