Construction at 10th and Willamette Falls Drive
In preparation for construction of an ill thought out roundabout at 10th and Willamette Falls Drive in West Linn, Oregon, the City of West Linn created alternative access to the rear of three properties, as the front of the properties would permanently lose their driveway access.
One of those properties is FunTime Preschool and Daycare, where Maria Luisa Blanc-Gonnet has lived for 28 years, raised her two children and helped raise countless more of our community’s children.
No consideration was taken into account for the needs of Luisa’s home or licensed in-home daycare.
On May 7, 2023, without suitable notice, construction began at the rear of FunTime Preschool and Daycare. A safe, fenced-in backyard and playground was removed and a dead-end street and driveway were built. City staff and construction crews have rolled in without notice for months, negligently installing quick access so they could begin the roundabout project on the front side of FunTime Preschool and Daycare.
They installed no safety fencing, provided no construction schedule, improperly built a driveway, included no drainage, planned for no lighting, left live electrical protruding from the ground, and more. When the issues were raised by Luisa, they were characterized as “her concerns” and things she “kept adding to the list.” *
After finally acknowledging the driveway was improperly built, city staff said they would not begin to break ground at the front of her home until the rear was fully repaired, just one of many promises broken. City contractors broke ground on the roundabout project, rendering the front of her home inaccessible with no repairs occurring in the back.
Luisa and FunTime families have been to four public meetings, pleading for West Linn leadership to step in, prioritize safety, improve communication, hold themselves accountable and repair the property—and trust—that’s been broken.
*To ensure that children are safe at all times, FunTime Preschool & Daycare has taken proactive measures to increase safety precautions, such as hiring extra staff, walking kids to nearby playgrounds and spending additional time in indoor play areas.
It’s time for safety and accountability
Families of FunTime Preschool and Daycare are calling for the City of West Linn’s Leadership to take accountability for their negligence.