City Hall Update: City sees big rise in gang violenceover last year

Plus, the City Council approves the first seven Build Portland Projects and some traffic and parking spaces are restored at Washington Park.

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Gang violence is continuing to surge this year in Portland, including five suspected gang-related shootings in a 24-hour period last week.

Police say gang violence is up over 20 percent so far this year compared to the same period in 2017. The incidents include two murders, including one of a known gang member. Police believe some of the most recent shootings are in retaliation for that killing.

Gang violence officially peaked with 139 incidents investigated by the Gang Enforcement Team in 2015. It fell to 117 incidents in 2016 and 85 last year.

Build Portland projects approved

The City Council on Wednesday approved the first seven Build Portland projects for funding. The council is scheduled to approve the sale of $52 million in bonds next week to pay for them.

The program proposed by Mayor Ted Wheeler dedicates $600 million in "freed up" property taxes from expiring urban renewal areas to mainteance projects over the next 20 years.

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The six Portland Bureau of Transportation projects are: Outer Stark Corridor Improvements, $10 million; Bridge Replacement for Northeast 42nd Avenue, $3 million; Lents Town Center Improvements, Phase 2, $4 million; ADA Accessible Sidewalks, $10.5 million; North Lombard Main Street, $3 million; and Traffic Signal Reconstruction Program, $3.5 million.

The Portland Parks & Recreation project is the $15 million Mt. Scott Community Center Rehabilitation.

Traffic, parking restored in Washington Park

Much of the normal traffic flow was restored in Washington Park over last weekend as construction crews completed part of the work to replace an open reservoir with underground water storage.

Approximately 178 of the 220 parking spaces that were closed for the project also were reopened. Residents and visitors to the park should still expect delays, however, and watch for signs, plan extra time for trips, and consider alternate routes and modes of transportation to get to destinations.

According to Portland Parks & Recreation, the new reservoir will be able to withstand the potentially catastrophic effects of a major earthquake and will supply water to 360,000 people on the west side of the river. The Washington Park Reservoir Improvement Project is being undertaken by the Portland Water Bureau.