TriMet’s proposed September closure of the King’s Hill MAX station has sparked backlash from LHS and other prominent members of the Goose Hollow community, setting the stage for a confrontation between the neighborhood and Oregon’s largest transit agency.

TriMet first announced interest in closing the stops in September of 2018, their website stating that the closure, along with the closure of several other downtown stations, would shorten commute times by “as much as two minutes.”

But for many students, the King’s Hill stop, located on 18th Avenue directly across from Lincoln’s football field, is a useful location. In a survey of 82 students issued by the Cardinal Times, 35 percent of respondents said they used the stop every day, and only 4 percent approved of TriMet’s proposal.

For Principal Peyton Chapman, it’s an issue of safety. TriMet says students can easily walk to other nearby stops, such as Providence Park and Goose Hollow stations.

“Goose Hollow has been labelled – by the city – as an urban blight,” Chapman says. “We have very poor lighting, and it gets dangerous at night for students who are staying behind for practices, or other activities. And until we get a new building, and until construction stops on [Providence Park], it’s just not safe for students to walk to one of the other stops at night.”

The closure has attracted another powerful enemy – the Multnomah Athletic Club, frequented by Lincoln students and Goose Hollow community members alike.

“We oppose the closure because we’re concerned about the safety and security of our neighbors, MAC members and staff, especially those who ride MAX early in the morning and late at night,” says Community Relations Manager Mary Fetsch. The Club has released data showing that 37 percent of its members were reliant on immediate access to public transportation.

Chapman indicated that TriMet has been less than responsive to Lincoln’s demands.

“They’re certainly trying very hard to make their point, and I respect that,” says Chapman, “but they don’t seem to be budging on the issue.”

TriMet did not respond to requests for comment.

Students interested in voicing their opinions can contact TriMet at [email protected] or 503-238-7433, while a community meeting on the subject is scheduled for Jan. 23.