Award recognizes efforts to improve and advance bicycling and walking in Deschutes County
West Bend Property Company (WBPC), developer of the NorthWest Crossing neighborhood in Bend, was granted a Big Chainring Award yesterday from the Deschutes County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. The awards, which have been given annually since 1996, honor individuals, businesses, organizations, and agencies that have made extraordinary efforts to advance bicycling and walking in Deschutes County. WBPC received the award this year in part for the new trail crossing it developed for pedestrians and bicyclists when extending one of the community’s core roadways.
“When we began the initial planning for NorthWest Crossing more than a decade ago, we knew that connectivity would be a core principle for the community,” said David Ford, general manager for the neighborhood. “This meant, in part, making sure that our paths and trails provided a walkable, safe and enjoyable environment for those using alternative transportation methods.”
NorthWest Crossing’s master plan carefully retained natural landscape elements, such as mature Ponderosa pine trees and rimrock outcroppings. It also provided an intrinsic connectivity to surrounding areas, based on a fundamental recognition that streets should be part of the public realm and designed as ‘complete streets’ that enhance mobility and quality of life for all users: pedestrians, cyclists or motorists. The pattern of blocks and streets is compact and walkable and ties in with existing city streets.
One of the newest efforts toward this goal was the completion of the 24-foot-wide trail crossing project at Lemhi Pass Drive and Skyliners Road for bicyclists, runners and pedestrians. WBPC worked with the City of Bend and the Bend Parks and Recreation District on the plans to allow users to avoid street traffic and safely use area trails. The trail crossing was constructed on-site by Taylor NW, rather than having pre-fabricated structural elements imported, creating jobs for local workers. In addition, local metal artist Andy Wachs created the public art installation for both the east and west sides of the structure.
About the Deschutes County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
The Committee’s mission is to promote and encourage safe bicycling and walking as a significant means of transportation in Deschutes County. Committee work presently includes the development of bicycle and pedestrian safety programs and reviewing bicycle and pedestrian project prioritization. The Committee serves to advise Deschutes County, the Cities of Bend, Redmond and Sisters, and ODOT in bicycle and pedestrian transportation, and matters pertaining to existing and proposed road construction and signing. The Committee is a source of current information relating to the use of bicycle and walking as a means of transportation, and strives to support them as a viable means of transportation in Deschutes County.
About NorthWest Crossing
NorthWest Crossing is a mixed-use community on Bend’s west side which has won several national awards for its green building practices, as well as being a 2011 recipient of the Environmental Center’s Sustainability Award and 2010 Building a Better Central Oregon Award. West Bend Property Company LLC, a partnership of Brooks Resources Corporation and Tennant Family Limited Partnership, is developing the community. Both companies, based in Bend, have solid histories of commitment to thoughtful, quality real estate developments in Central Oregon. Their goal of creating a livable and sustainable community at NorthWest Crossing is rooted in their understanding and respect for the true essence of Bend and the Central Oregon lifestyle. http://www.northwestcrossing.com
