Letter: Needs of neighbors to construction zone going ignored

Published 8:30 am Thursday, August 4, 2016

The residents in North Bend on Thrasher Avenue N.E. are the unfortunate neighbors to the current housing developments (River Glen and Ranger Cottages), spearheaded by Pulte and John Day. Noise, dust, rude drivers and workers, and uncompensated property damage are the new normal for these homeowners. They feel as if the sanctuary of their homes has been invaded. Quality of life has plummeted, along with resale value.

The street is barely big enough to support its average daily load of 50 residential vehicles. Now double-dump trucks speed in, rumbling back and forth, creating traffic hazards, and kicking up epic levels of dust, forcing residents to keep their windows closed during summer heat.

There is real danger here, too. In one case, a boulder bounced out of a speeding material truck, landing just feet from a resident. She called to make construction leaders aware of this; she was ignored, a common theme. The residents’ phone calls to problem-solve are either not returned or hung up on, and letters and emails go unanswered.

The residents asked planners to access developments off North Bend Way, a commercial zone, not where children live. They were ignored. They asked the vehicles, surveyors, workers using the street do so courteously. They were ignored. They’ve asked to be informed about work impacting their property directly, and they have been ignored.

The developers and our city leaders need to be held accountable for the diminished quality of life inflicted upon the residents abutting these construction sites.

Casondra Brewster

Naomi Irish

North Bend