Images show the area before the new sidewalk was installed (left) and the area now (right).

News Advisory: Commissioner Novick to dedicate 11-block sidewalk in East Portland;  serve as school crossing guard Jan. 17th at Prescott Elementary School

(January 16, 2014) - Commissioner Steve Novick will join students, parents and Principal Chris McMurray for the beginning of the school day Friday, January 17, 2014 at Prescott Elementary School to celebrate a recently completed sidewalk that spans 11 blocks. The sidewalk connects two schools,  improving safety for students and families of the Parkrose School District.

Visuals: Commissioner Novick serving as crossing guard to help kids and parents arrive at school safely; school children walking on new section of sidewalk; Commissioner Novick meeting with students to discuss transportation and leadership

Where:  Prescott Elementary School, NE 105th Avenue and Prescott Street

When:   8:20 a.m. Friday, January 17, 2014

What:  Commissioner Novick will begin the morning assisting the school crossing guard at NE Prescott and 105th Street at 8:20 a.m. He then will join Prescott’s second-graders for their breakfast and will meet with older students to discuss transportation and leadership.

Why:  Sidewalks are important for safety and convenience and the City of Portland is working to identify funding to add this basic infrastructure throughout East Portland.  The Portland Bureau of Transportation completed the sidewalk project this fall and will plant trees this winter. This is the first full school term that the sidewalk has been open.

It runs along the south side of NE Prescott Street from 105th to 116th avenues, connecting Prescott Elementary School to Parkrose High School, and making it easier and safer for students to walk to both schools.  The project is part of the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School program.

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