Oregon renames Beltline the 'Randy Papé Beltway'
EUGENE, Ore. -- Beltline Road is now the Randy Papé Beltway.
The Oregon Transportation Commission unanimously voted last Thursday to approve Gov. Ted Kulongoski's request to re-name the road.
The change will cost a quarter of a million dollars to design and install 50 new signs. The project could up to six months to complete.
The Oregon Department of Transportation told KVAL News on Friday that the Beltline construction project came in under budget so some of the leftover funds could be used to pay for the re-naming project.
On Monday, Jillian Schoney in Kulongoski's office said the public had a week's notice about the meeting. The agenda item was listed for 9:25 a.m. last Thursday in Salem.
KVAL News has also placed calls to the Oregon Department of Transportation, the Oregon Transportation Commission and the Papé family in an effort to learn more about the plan.
Rick Little from ODOT said the change is unusual but not unheard of.
"When you're looking at 50 plus signs being replaced in one swoop, that's not normal," he said.
ODOT did not make the decision but will implement the policy.
"The governor felt it was important enough to designate this highway in honor of Randy Pape," he said, "and because the governor asked and the Oregon Transportation Department approved, that's what we'll do."
Little acknowledged some people are frustrated by the cost associated with the change.
"It's good to see taxpayers who have a passion about how their money is spent," he said.
"There are people who knew Randy Papé, who understand the taxpayers who are upset," Little said, "are riding on many of the roads and bridges that Randy Papé brought in millions to improve."
Papé served on the Oregon Transportation Commission for 6 years. He stepped down Nov. 1, 2007.
In his departure letter Pape said, “For personal reasons arising from time conflicts with my professional and personal life, I have decided that now is the appropriate time for me to step down.”
Papé died a year later in November 2008 from a heart attack.
Then-University of Oregon President Dave Frohnmayer issued a statement at the time detailing Papé's long relationship with the University.
"Randy's commitment to the UO stretched over a lifetime," Frohnmayer wrote. "Beginning as a UO student in the late 1960s, Randy has been involved with and supportive of his alma mater. Along with Susie, he has been a generous contributor to the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, UO Athletics and the Lundquist College of Business to name just a few. Randy's generosity extended well beyond his philanthropy. He gave of his time, his energy and his commitment.
"The university is a better place because of Randy's involvement. He served for a decade on the UO Foundation Board of Trustees from 1995 to 2005. He was named an Emeritus Trustee in 2007. The university was privileged to honor Randy and Susie with the 2005 Pioneer Award and the 1998 Presidential Medal. Most recently, he served as the volunteer chairperson for Campaign Oregon: Transforming Lives, the largest and most successful fundraising effort in Oregon's history. His leadership of Campaign Oregon set a clear message from day one that it would be a great success. For Randy, there was no other option."
