August 23, 2003
(Updated) Francesconi Monkeywrenches Federal Construction Plans For Pioneer Courthouse
Note: This post has been updated. Any and all updates appear at the end of the original post.
Time now to catch up on some other items. Regular readers probably know that Commissioner Francesconi is not, in general, my favorite local official. But this week, according to the Portland Tribune, he did something truly sublime:
Francesconi, who heads the city's Bureau of Transportation, said that one of the most controversial parts of the courthouse project includes opening a door on the building's north side and adding parking underneath the building for the judges.
Francesconi said the transportation bureau has to authorize a curb cut for the garage entrance, "and we're not going to. We'll see what happens."
Fair is fair, and so I must give credit and kudos where they are due -- although not without the caveat that with support for protecting the Courthouse and returning its post office pretty damned high, it shouldn't be entirely surprising that a mayoral candidate would oppose the General Services Administration project.
But even with that cynical note, it's still a ballsy thing to do, tossing a local permit issue like a grenade into the GSA's plans. As of today, I've seen nothing from GSA officials in terms of a response, and I am awaiting word from Francesconi's office as to what might possibly be the next steps, and just how far the Commissioner might be willing to push this.
Update
Not to mention that since Congressman Earl Blumenauer essentially had to give up his fight against the project because it's in Congressman David Wu's district and Wu wasn't willing to oppose it, this move by Francesconi gives him something to crow about in comparison.