One of my goals as a Metro Councilor is to do what I can to ensure that our aspirations for our cities and communities come to fruition. I believe that developing a community investment strategy will better help us reach those aspirations and make sure that our communities are great places to live.  

Furthermore, the east part of the Metro region needs more jobs; good jobs that can support a family. Identifying the most important public investment projects and strategies to implement those projects will take us one step closer to being more prosperous.  

There are a variety of steps that the Metro Council is taking toward developing this investment strategy, and one of those efforts began last week when the East Metro Connections Plan Steering Committee met for the first time. The group began the discussion to identify projects in the east part of the region that will stimulate economic development, particularly in the  cities of Fairview, Gresham, Troutdale and Wood Village. 

The Steering Committee also agreed to the following goals for the plan:

• support north/south connectivity between I-84 and US 26, as well as east/west connectivity and capacity in the East Metro plan area
• make the best use of the existing transportation system
• develop multiple solutions that encompass all transportation modes
• foster economic vitality
• distribute both benefits and burdens of growth
• enhance the livability and safety of East Metro communities
• ensure that East Metro is a place where people want to live, work and play
• support the local land use vision of each community
• enhance the natural environment.

This discussion will continue over the next year. Initially the stakeholders agreed that a transportation solution was needed to address their shared interest in economic development. However, fixing transportation issues alone won't bring economic development, so the study also includes evaluating a full range of investments that will help the cities reach their economic development goals.  

The Steering Committee members consist of representatives from the cities of Damascus, Fairview, Gresham, Troutdale and Wood Village, and representatives from Multnomah and Clackamas counties. There are also business and community leaders, environmental, pedestrian and bicycle, and freight representatives on the committee. Consideration was given to all segments of the community and membership is meant to ensure a broad representation and diversity of views.

Members of the committee are listed below.

I encourage you to attend future meetings and  I will let you know of the next meeting date when it is scheduled. As the East Metro Connection Plan progresses there will be opportunities to give input. I hope you will learn more, get the latest news and meeting materials, and sign up for email updates by visiting the East Metro Connections Plan webpage.

You can contact me at shirley.craddick@oregonmetro.gov or 503-797-1547.

Learn more about the East Metro Connections Plan

 Sign up to receive email updates about the plan

East Metro Connections Plan Steering Committee members

Councilor Shirley Craddick
Metro

Mayor Mike Weatherby
City of Fairview

Mayor Shane Bemis
City of Gresham

Mayor Jim Kight
City of Troutdale

Mayor Patricia Smith
City of Wood Village

Commissioner Diane McKeel
Multnomah County

Rian Windsheimer
Oregon Department of Transportation

Steve Entenman
East Metro Economic Alliance

Mark Garber
East Metro Economic Alliance

Carol Rulla
Coalition of Gresham Neighborhoods

Greg Olson
Multnomah County Bicycle and Pedestrian Citizen Advisory Committee

Councilor Diana Helm
City of Damascus

Commissioner Paul Savas
Clackamas County

Alan Lehto
TriMet

Susie Lahsene
Port of Portland

Hector Osuna
El Programa Hispano

Dwight Unti
Tokola Properties

Ron Cazares
FedEx

Jane Van Dyke
Columbia Slough Watershed