| JULY
21, 2006
WILSONVILLE--Although it’s a
little early to judge its more serious intentions, Renaissance
Homes “two bikes in every garage” program
has so far been a big hit with buyers at its 58-home
$39 million Canyon Creek just off Canyon Creek Road
south of Boeckman Road here.
Each new homeowner at Canyon Creek
finds two 21-speed Schwinn 2000M bicycles their garage
when they move in, part of a package presented by builder
Randy Sebastian, president of Renaissance Homes.
They’re part of an unusual agreement
worked out with the city of Wilsonville to satisfy its
Transportation Management Plan (TMP). The plan is aimed
at reducing afternoon rush our traffic in the rapidly
growing area. Renaissance proposed the bicycles as part
of a TMP package worked out with the city.
“We’ve had great comments
from our buyers so far. And we know they’re getting
a lot of use,” said Sebastian.
RJ Emmet said he thought the bikes
“were a great idea. We see them in use a lot around
here.” Sebastian talked with Emmet last Saturday
during an on-site assessment of the program’s
impact to date. Emmet, his wife Alicen and their children,Austin,
3 _ and Kara 15 months, have been in their new home
for three weeks.
So far, 46 homes have been sold at
Canyon Creek, so the full impact isn’t possible
to assess, Sebastian said.
Renaissance proposed the bicycles as
part of a TMP package worked out with the city and Sebastian
said he believes it is the first time nationally anyone
has tried such an unusual approach to help alleviate
rush hour traffic.
Since there are several major employers
in the Wilsonville area, city officials and Sebastian
are hopeful the bikes might have an impact because people
can ride them to work.
Renaissance’s approach also involves
Wilsonville’s SMART transit service, which is
free and provides local shuttle trips, plus interconnecting
trips to the Tri-Met system. Renaissance will co-ordinate
with the city planning, engineering and SMART staffs
to begin a series of presentations to the Canyon Creek
Home Owners Association about mass transit options.
In addition to the bikes, new homeowners
receive an introductory explanation from Renaissance
outlining the city’s intent to minimize afternoon
peak-hour congestion at the Wilsonville interchanges
with I-5, a SMART bus schedule and key chain and a Carpool
Match brochure.
“While we can’t control
the traffic patterns of our buyers, we can provide each
home buyer with information about transportation alternatives.
With that and providing the bikes, we hope this program
will have the impact the city is seeking,” Sebastian
said.
Sebastian credited city officials with
a willingness to try new things. The city has a long
history of coordinating land use planning with timely
and orderly development of transportation and public
facilities improvements to ensure that new developments
are properly served, he said.
Renaissance Homes
16771 Boones Ferry Road
Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035
Voice: 503-636-5600
Fax: 503-635-8400
Emergency Service: 503-496-0711 or 866-567-6225
|