The deadline for bids on South Waterfront Neighborhood Park improvements has been extended one week to Jan. 15. The project consists of building a two-block park in the South Waterfront District, bordered by Southwest Moody and Bond avenues and Curry and Gaines streets.

The work is being done under two permits, one for the park and one for the street improvements. The project is estimated at $2.8 million.

Designed by Hargreaves Associates, the park will feature a large central lawn, play and gathering areas, gardens, shrubs, trees and sculptures. Construction is scheduled to begin in late February and wrap up in late summer.

“South Waterfront Neighborhood Park” is a placeholder name. The Portland Parks and Recreation Naming Committee will choose a permanent name for the park and forward the recommendation to new parks Commissioner Nick Fish. He will then forward the recommendation to Portland City Council.

Because, you know, the condos have sold so well, we’ve got to have a park for all the families that live there. Besides, with that great freeway access, people will flock to the park.

Oregon’s governor, Ted Kulongoski, wants to require any owner selling or renting a home or commercial building in the state to obtain a certificate disclosing the property’s energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The mandate, part of his climate change agenda for 2009, would take effect in 2011 for new and existing homes and in 2012 for commercial buildings.

How is this different then disclosing the utility costs?   It feels like yet another bureaucratic plan which won’t really benefit Oregonians.