Portland on the brink
Residents of Portland, already shaken by the deep and lingering recession, are holding their breaths this weekend while the linchpin of the Oregon economy is out of commission. Yes, the iconic OHSU aerial tram [rim shot] is down for maintenance until Monday. And as retired OHSU president Peter Kohler (PERS pension $20,252.33 a month) told us when the city's taxpayers were being forced to build the tram, without it Oregon has no economic future. With it, of course, the medical school has created thousands of biotech jobs, in Florida.
Until the tram is back in operation, OHSU personnel will be forced to ride shuttle buses back and forth between Pill Hill and the SoWhat District. Can you imagine? Filthy, no-good shuttle buses. Let's hope their ordeal ends quickly.
| Posted at 5:48 AM | Permalink |
|
Comments (17)
Why do I suspect OHSU likely keeps shuttle buses and shuttle bus drivers on stand-by 24/7/365 anyway and they are now getting some exercise?
Posted by Abe | November 25, 2011 6:48 AM
Wait a minute, are you tell us on Black Friday the Tram is down? How the heck are the millions of shoppers going to get around now in downtown? I really hope the news media gets on this and keeps us all informed as to the traffic problems in the downtown quarter.
Oh wait they are already on top of it. Shop elsewhere,
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/11/prepare_for_traffic_on_black_f.html
Posted by phil | November 25, 2011 7:04 AM
Let's be fair: Other internationally known iconic symbols like the Eiffel Tower are sometimes closed for maintenance too.
Posted by Bill McDonald | November 25, 2011 8:22 AM
Well, it does show that the Tram is a $75M parking lot shuttle for OHSU if it wan't obvious before.
Posted by Steve | November 25, 2011 8:29 AM
It appeared to be running at half speed about a week ago, when the winds weren't too bad. Maybe they had to slow it down pending whatever maintenance is being performed.
To be fair, OHSU still benefits from the biotech research no matter what state it is domiciled in. And their giveaways were more generous than Portland's.
Posted by Mister Tee | November 25, 2011 9:16 AM
While it is true that internationally known iconic symbols close for maintenance we all know the Tram doesn't fall even close to being such a creature..
Posted by tankfixer | November 25, 2011 9:36 AM
Don't kid yourself. Seattle would trade the Space Needle for the tram any day.
Posted by Bill McDonald | November 25, 2011 9:43 AM
The tram was shut down on Thanksgiving Day as well - so much for tourism. I figured it was because of the high winds but if it was simply to service the tram, BAD, BAD TIMING.
Posted by NW Portlander | November 25, 2011 10:00 AM
http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/print_story.php?story_id=24858
During the past two years, many of Stephen Leflar’s neighbors have filed lawsuits, pounded “No tram to OHSU” signs into their lawns and done everything they can to oppose the $28.5 million aerial tram that is slated to be built from South Waterfront to Oregon Health & Science University.
City officials disagree, arguing that the tram and other improvements on the 120 acres of South Waterfront property will bring thousands of jobs, stimulate the economy and be a symbol for the city just as Mount Hood is.
City Commissioner Jim Francesconi went so far last week to compare the tram to the Eiffel Tower and the Space Needle.
During a City Council review of the tram plans on June 10, Mayor Vera Katz said it will be the mark of a “great city.”
She said: “A great city never sleeps. A great city never stands still. A great city shares its vision with its community and makes it very clear that we are going to work together to make it happen. A great city thinks about its future. É Private developers are taking risks. OHSU is taking risks. The city is taking risks. But without taking those risks, you will never become a great city.”
Posted by Ben | November 25, 2011 11:23 AM
Worst. Mayor. Ever.
Posted by Jack Bog | November 25, 2011 12:10 PM
...A great city shares its vision with its community...
...or dictates and propagandizes its vision with its community?
Think we know the answer to that!
Unbelievable what we citizens have been subjected to around here!
$28.5 million, turned out to be what, around $55 million??
Rue the day Katz came in here and brought her Chief of Staff Adams.
Posted by clinamen | November 25, 2011 12:17 PM
Don't know what is worse, the financial abuse/horrible financial stewardship OR the psychological abuse of living under the dictatorial/manipulative ways of these officials, all with the front of Citizen Involvement....
Posted by clinamen | November 25, 2011 12:28 PM
Does Harrisburg PA have one of these?
Posted by pdxmick | November 25, 2011 5:02 PM
Abe, just to confirm, yes OHSU has a fleet of shuttle buses. They shuttle around pill hill to different parking lots and buildings. Plus there are a fleet running from their Doctors Health Club building in SoWhat to their parking lot to the north, about the equivalent of four blocks. Here you go to a health club but can't walk the four blocks.
Posted by lw | November 25, 2011 8:11 PM
City Commissioner Jim Francesconi went so far last week to compare the tram to the Eiffel Tower and the Space Needle.
Seriously? I thought Bill was just being his usual hilarious self there!
Posted by Ex-bartender | November 25, 2011 9:43 PM
OHSU president Peter Kohler (PERS pension $20,252.33 a month)...
1% courtesy of the Oregon taxpayers.
Posted by thor | November 26, 2011 12:54 PM
Yeah, right. Sure.
Posted by Jack Bog | November 26, 2011 2:03 PM