City Council approves bike share and downtown handicap spaces
Photo by Todd Luck
BY TODD LUCK
THE CHRONICLE
During the Monday, April 20, City Council meeting, the Welcoming City resolution was pulled from consideration, but the following items were approved:
*A resolution of support for the National Cycling Center, working with Zagster, to start a Bike Share Program. There are 10 planned bike share stations holding 50 rentable bikes across the city in the first phase. There’s no cost to taxpayers, as the city will only provide minor site preparation and encroachment agreements. Initial sites include downtown, Salem Lake, Quarry Park and Old Salem.
*The placement of four on-street handicap parking spaces at the downtown intersection of Cherry and Fourth Streets. While those with a handicap pass can park anywhere for free downtown, many aren’t aware of this or have difficulty finding an unoccupied space. More on-street handicap spots may be added in the future.
*The creation of a nine-member Urban Food Policy Council, which will advocate for food policies that will help with hunger, food insecurity and lack of access to healthy food in the city’s urban core. Members of the council will be appointed by the mayor and approved by the City Council.
*The city will acquire the 165-acre property of the closed Long Creek Golf Course. The city will work with residents to figure out what kind of recreational purpose the land will have. The city will buy 100 acres for $503,000 using park acquisition general obligation bond money. The remaining 65 acres will be purchased by The Conservation Fund for$236,500 and donated to the city in 2018, after it receives a grant to reimburse the purchase.
*A loan ranging from $400,000 to $500,000 for construction of the Enclave II, a 96-unit apartment complex on Bethania Station Road. A total of 24 units will be affordable to those making 30 percent of the area median income (AMI) and the rest will be affordable to those making 60 percent of AMI. The amortized loan has a proposed minimum term of 15 years. Financing for the project also includes a bank loan and state funds.
