Problem Solvers: Missed mail, illegal signs, fed-up residents: Why one Bend neighborhood may be a warning sign for others
Harley Coldiron
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As one westside Bend neighborhood near Galveston and Century Drive grows with new construction and tourists, the Problem Solvers counted at least 25 illegal signs that neighbors have put up, warning people not to park in front of their mailboxes. However, they say it’s not because they want a convenient place to park, it’s about avoiding missed mail deliveries.
The Problem Solvers spoke with Julie, who’s lived in the neighborhood for a decade, and says finding a place to park has always been a problem: “They park here all the time. We live really close to Parilla and Taco Salsa, and it’s a hot lunch spot.”
The United States Postal Service confirmed these signs are not legal, and the use of their logo has not been permitted.
However, Julie and other neighbors, the Problem Solvers talked to stressed that the variety of no-parking signs people put up in front of their mailboxes, telling people they can’t park there, is so they don’t miss any mail deliveries.
“For some of our neighbors, which are our good friends, when someone parks in front of their house, they don’t get their mail. And we know our mailman – he’s been ours, the same guy for quite a number of years. And he gets very frustrated,” Julie said in an interview outside her home.
The Problem Solvers counted at least 25 signs in the neighborhood, which the U.S. Postal Service and the city of Bend say are not legitimate. The use of their official logo is illegal, and USPS confirmed they have not authorized its use for any signs in the neighborhood or in Bend.
KTVZ News asked the Postal Service several times what residents should do about people blocking their mailboxes.
The only solutions they gave were to leave a handwritten note on the person blocking their mailbox or to have a face-to-face conversation.
Neighbors said they did not see these options as a long-term solution, and pointed out that they can’t police their mailboxes 24/7. Others worried it could create potentially hostile and confrontational situations.
Another neighbor, Dana, says the parking issues are partly to blame on high-density housing, and new local and state laws that forbid minimum parking requirements for some developments.
Dana, like his fellow neighbors, supports new homes, but the issues that have arisen should be addressed: “It’s helpful to have, you know, high-density housing. But what’s the overall plan?”
The laws from both the city and state aim to cut down on red tape and spur more badly needed housing.
“You know, per the state, onsite parking is considered valuable housing right now. So how do you find a balance where you still have affordable housing?”
Russ Grayson, who oversees operations for the city, says they’re aware of the issues in this and other neighborhoods: “A lot of that has to do with the redevelopment that is occurring in there. All the kind of, you can say attractions and draws on Galveston (Avenue), we’re seeing density increase”.
Whether it’s adding a permit system or a time limit, it’s nearly impossible to make everyone happy.
“There’s always this push-pull relationship between parking strategies that we need to try to manage and balance,” Grayson said in an interview with the Problem Solvers.
No matter what happens, Carmen says she’ll always love the neighborhood: “I think the changes have all been good. You know, with parking, there’s always going to be growing issues.”