Thanks to NeighborhoodNotes for their concise overview of stories you may have missed due to the wintry conditions. The most noteworthy is a story from the Portland Business Journal reporting that the Obama administration may speed streetcar funding originally approved by the Bush administration, but currently bogged down in Bushy bureaucratic bickering.
And which Oregon company will gobble up a husky chunk of the new infrastructure dollars? Probably Oregon Iron Works, creators of the first modern domestically made streetcars, among a cornucopia of ultimate connector set dream projects. Basically, this company kicks ass among engineers like Bob the Builder kicks ass among four year olds. Their company intro video is an adult, incredibly complex, badass version of the “Can we build it? Yes we can!” refrain. In addition to streetcars, Oregon Iron Works build bridges, special patrol boats, and unmanned Sea Scout seaplanes.
And who does Oregon Iron Works employ in their Clackamas and Vancouver facilities? Take a look.
Moreover, the city’s streetcar plans will likely eventually reach to FoPo. The Foster-Powell neighborhood association has already answered the city’s call for citizen feedback, recommending that they choose Foster as the main streetcar route. (Foster’s width is actually due to its previous use as a streetcar corridor.)
Makes you proud to be an Oregonian, doesn’t it? And excited to be a FoPoista.
