Our Town: Climate Action | Food Waste | Road Improvement | BURA (Building a Better Beaverton)

#BeavertonCityNews

The Urgency of Comprehensive, Long-Term Climate Action

As the 53rd anniversary of Earth Day is celebrated this year, the city continues its work to help address the impacts of climate change.

In 2019, the city adopted the Climate Action Plan, a set of goals highlighting the city’s commitment to our future.

Since then, the world—and the city—has changed significantly. The impacts of a changing world have been more and more obvious: Summer temperatures have soared, places where we’ve made memories have burned to the ground, the smoke arrives earlier and lingers longer, allergy seasons are extended, and invasive pests are taking up residence.

Within the city, each program has a role to play, both internally (for more sustainable operations) and in the community (to reduce emissions and address the impacts of climate change).

However, the issue of climate change goes far beyond the city limits. It will also take the work of county and state leaders to make an impact. Climate change impacts us all. The ongoing effort to address it and protect our planet has never been more important.

How can you help? The city has relaunched the Beaverton Climate Challenge, an invitation for you to keep track of all the ways you decrease your household emissions to help Beaverton meet its climate goals. Sign up today at www. sustainablebeaverton.com.

Snapshots of Progress Toward the City’s Climate Action Goals:

• The city drafted and adopted a Sustainable Fleet Policy prioritizing zero-emissions vehicles for any new light- duty vehicle purchase. The policy also improves data collection for rightsizing the city fleet and mandates the use of renewable biofuels for vehicles with diesel engines.
• Electric-vehicle infrastructure installation is underway at city fleet parking locations.
• Public electric-vehicle charging stations at city facilities were expanded to serve more vehicles.
• The Purple Pipe Program will use cleaned stormwater to irrigate green spaces, parks, school grounds, and yards.
• The Cooper Mountain Community Development Plan to prioritize improving resiliency to climate change and protecting natural resources.
• Warming and cooling centers and shelters have been expanded to support vulnerable community members during extreme events.
• A Climate Action Task Force was established to advise City Council.
• Ongoing parking reform will increase density and promote active transportation.
• The updated Beaverton Community Vision recognizes the importance of a sustainable city.
• The Library of Things continues to reduce consumption.
• 2019 was the year Beaverton’s Climate Action Plan was adopted.
• 3 water storage pump facilities have been upgraded.
• 100 percent of electricity used for city operations is from renewable sources.

Food Waste Prevention Week is April 10-16

Earth Day is Saturday, Apr. 22, and this year’s theme is Invest In Our Planet. While there are many ways to do this, including by planting trees, reducing single-use plastics, and more, one of the most impactful ways is by not wasting food. Food waste is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, so reducing food waste saves natural resources, time, and money!

Celebrate Earth Day this year by participating in Food Waste Prevention Week, Monday, Apr. 10 through Sunday, Apr. 16. To get involved in the fun, visit www.FoodWastePreventionWeek.com or keep an eye on the city’s Facebook and Twitter accounts @cityofbeaverton.

Wasted food costs the average Oregon household $1,600 per year.

Ready to get started saving that wasted money? Visit www.eatsmartwasteless.com for tips and resources on how your household can prevent the wasting of food.

Preventing wasted food at businesses is great for the business and the whole community. There are free resources, information, and great local videos available. There’s also an opportunity to share how your business is making efforts to reduce waste. Visit www.foodwastestopswithme.org to learn more. Also, many food-generating businesses are required to keep food scraps out of the garbage.

For more information on how to comply with the new business food scraps requirement, visit www.BeavertonOregon.gov/BizFoodScraps.

Western Avenue Street Improvements

Construction of the 48-inch Willamette Water Supply Commission (WWSS) waterline to be completed with connection into Beaverton Hillsdale Highway in winter 2024. Construction will start on the following items this year:

• New signalized intersections to be added at the SW Allen Boulevard and SW 5th Street intersections.
• New railroad crossing to be added north of SW Arctic Boulevard.
• Construction of the sidewalks and bicycle paths along the remaining portions of SW Western Avenue will continue throughout the winter and early spring.
• Waterline service lateral connections are being made to transfer city water service from the existing 12-inch waterline within SW Western Avenue to the recently constructed 16-inch waterline.

The 48-inch waterline that will be installed within the SW Western Avenue project limits is owned by the WWSS. This pipeline is referred to as the Metzger Pipeline East project (MPE 1.1).

Learn more about the project at www. BeavertonOregon.gov/WesternAve. For more information regarding the WWSS MPE 1.1 project, visit www.OurReliableWater.org/mpe.

Input Wanted on BURA Portfolio Redevelopment Strategy

The Beaverton Urban Redevelopment Agency (BURA) owns several key downtown properties and is creating a strategy to guide their future redevelopment.

Share your thoughts about new uses and community benefits for these areas at a virtual open house on Wednesday, Apr. 19. New uses could include transit-oriented, mixed-use employment; housing; affordable housing; and commercial spaces. Community benefits could include community- and cultural-enriching uses, amenities, and accessibility. Your input will be considered for future developments to make sure they reflect community values and priorities.

For more information and updates, visit www.BeavertonOregon.gov/BURARedevStrategy or email our BURA team in the Community Development Department at urbanrenewal@BeavertonOregon.gov.