Through Road Location
in lieu of Perkins Avenue
Suggested by Forest Glen Durland
2-16-06
For a more practical and better location of a through road with adequate width stretching from Hwy 395 over to Nye Road just above Tutuilla Road, two routes are suggested:
Given: It is assumed that the property owners of the undeveloped land south and east of Perkins Avenue are interested in development of their land. Therefore, those owners will be interested in a proper main road location for best access to future developments to increase value and desire for ownership.
Given: The time to plan and construct that main road is now -- before, not after development.
One but need look at the ruined streets in the big cities like Portland and the California metropolitan areas to see the future. Narrow streets have become thoroughfares with no street parking and front yards diminished. Children have no place to play. Driving one of those streets in traffic time is a night mare with disaster in the waiting.
Unlike the big cities like Portland, and especially in the California metropolitan areas, Pendleton has miles of open land. Although the production of food must be considered for our survival, city expansion appears here to stay. The global population explosion, plus the mass exodus of business people from California, is showing its effects everywhere in the United States. (For California statistics, see the Census for the year 2000.)
Therefore: Let the following two routes for a main road be considered as practical considerations:
1. The best route, considering the ice and snow years, is back toward the south side of the Rice grass field. This route will be an easy grade for use in slippery winter years.
Starting at the traffic light ( a necessity ) on Hwy 395 at Les Schwab’s Tire store, proceed southeast by east, m/l, to the fence line at the top of the draw that heads south from the Oregon Trail Manor. If the owner of the property to the south of that point will permit, continue up the draw, swinging left to the top of the ridge. Thence, swing to the north down the draw to Nye and on to Tutuilla Road. How far down the draw the main road would be located must be decided by the developers and City Planners, considering the value of the houses and the through traffic, and, of course, the slippery months. Allow no steep drive ways and no driveways running water into the garage and house.
If the route can not continue up the draw south of the Rice grass field, then swing east up the fence line. Move dirt from the top of the ridge to the draw to create an easy grade for the slippery winter months. Then proceed down to Nye and Tutuilla Roads along whatever route the developers and City Planners decide, considering the value of the houses and the through traffic, and, of course, the slippery months.
When the property owner to the south wants to develop, he/she can be expected to kick in some refunds at that time. Further south down the ridge, a development is underway. They may welcome access to the new main route.
Considered must be the cost to the owner. If the land for Rice Park was donated, then Mr. Rice can not be expected to donate more land for a main road. Enough is enough.
2. A second route is located to the north of the first suggestion:
This route will be steeper than the first route. Start at the traffic light ( a necessity ) on Hwy 395 at Les Schwab’s Tire store, and proceed east, m/l, through the Rice grass field to Rice Park. Then follow the upper boundary of Rice Park and west of the houses to the top of the hill. Thence, proceed east to the east side of the ridge. Then proceed down to Nye and Tutuilla Roads along whatever route the developers and City Planners decide, considering the value of the houses and the through traffic, and, of course, the slippery months.
These main route suggestions will spare the metropolitan dilemma of ruining existing, nice city avenues.
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