BEND, Ore. — Riverside Animal Hospital, located on NW Olney Avenue in downtown Bend, is raising concerns over a portion of a city construction project that could block access to their facility for eastbound drivers. The city’s ongoing bike and pedestrian project at the intersection of Olney Avenue and Wall Street is set to include a median that the hospital claims will hinder direct access to their building, potentially compromising the well-being of animals in the community.
Sarah Cummings, veterinarian and co-owner of Riverside Animal Hospital, voiced her concerns, stating, “This is great for our community. We’re all for it. Except this median, which is going to block access to veterinary care.” Cummings emphasized that while the hospital supports the overall improvements to the area, the proposed median could result in delayed access to urgent veterinary services.
In response to the issue, the hospital has reached out to clients, urging them to attend the Bend City Council meeting on Wednesday evening to express opposition to the project’s current design. Riverside has also asked community members to sign up to speak at the meeting, which begins at 7 p.m., in order to highlight how restricted access could impact pets’ well-being.
The city’s project team, however, believes that the addition of the median will improve safety in the area by reducing the risk of accidents, particularly at the intersection of Olney Avenue and Wall Street. The goal is to enhance both pedestrian and cyclist safety, a move that is widely supported by the city for its long-term benefits to the community.
Despite these assurances, Riverside Animal Hospital remains firm in its stance, stressing the potential consequences for animals requiring urgent care. The hospital’s appeal to the City Council is clear: reconsider the inclusion of the median in order to ensure that pets continue to have fast and direct access to vital services.
Those wishing to voice their opinions on the matter are encouraged to sign up to speak at the meeting within 30 minutes of its 7 p.m. start time, with sign-up sheets available outside the Council Chambers.
As the project progresses, the debate between safety improvements and access to veterinary care is expected to continue, with the community’s well-being at the center of the discussion.
