Development

Artist rendering, Chet Antonsen design Click to enlarge		Early Neighborhood Meeting When: Mon Nov 16, 2015 7-9PM Where: Albertina Kerr Campus 722 NE 162nd Ave - Bldg H Gresham OR Get Map!

Neighbors Object
At the Summer 2015 Wilkes East Neighborhood Association meeting, August 24th, Craig Smith with SGS Development LLC (a Bend-based company owned by developer Chet Antonsen that has built several projects in East Multnomah County), presented plans for construction of new 64-unit 4-story 2-building apartment homes at 165th & NE Halsey St.

During the presentation several neighbors raised concerns about the project. Among the main concerns was the number of parking spaces, ingress/egress to the property, building height, 55-and-older vs family tenants, play area size, impact on schools, and a possible wetland.

Addressing Concerns
Over the next several weeks SGS Development explored ways to address the neighbor’s concerns including reducing the building height to 2 or 3-story buildings and spreading out the buildings across the entire site. Based on comments raised at the August meeting a wetlands specialist was retained to study the proposed site. His findings supported the existence of a wetland area on the north portion of the property. A 15' buffer will now separate the wetlands from the project leaving this habitat area undisturbed.

(New design and next meeting info below page break)

Get Involved, Make a Difference When: Tue Nov 17, 2015 4PM-6PM Where: Gresham City Hall Council Chamber 1333 NW Eastman Pky Gresham, OR Get Map!

The Gresham Redevelopment Commission (GRDC) meets monthly on the third Tuesday immediately following adjournment of the 3 p.m. Gresham City Council meeting.

GRDC meetings allow necessary Rockwood-West Gresham Urban Renewal business to be dealt with, such as budget adoption, grant awards, public hearings, resolutions, etc.

For more information, please contact Cecille Turley, Urban Renewal Program Technician, at 503-618-2545 or Cecille.Turley@GreshamOregon.gov.

Get Involved, Make a Difference When: Wed Nov 18, 2015 6:30PM-8PM Where: Gresham City Hall Oregon Trail Room 1333 NW Eastman Pky Gresham, OR Get Map!

The Design Commission is the primary advising subcommittee to the City Council on design excellence for the built environment of the city.

More info
Contact Jamie Thomes at 503-618-2842 or Jamie.Thomes@GreshamOregon.gov.

"Diversity, Harmony, Community - Together WE can make a difference!”

Read it Online

Wilkes East Neighborhood 2015 Fall Newsletter IN THIS ISSUE 64-Unit Waterside Apartment Update Enhabit Fall Energy Saving Tips RHS Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees Nadaka Happenings Fall Edition Friday Night Youth Basketball Zimmerman House Holiday Tours WENA Fall Meeting Nov 16th

Download your copy here. Now with clickable web links!

Newsletters are a regular publication of the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association. They are hand-delivered to over 1,500 residences and businesses in our area 3 times per year, timed to correspond with our regular meetings.

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Who's going to build a $30 million Rockwood catalyst project?

Josh Furher, Exec Dir Rockwood Development Commission

City councilors make a pick By this time next year, construction crews could begin building a $30 million economic campus where city leaders hope Rockwood and Gresham residents will learn, shop and make money.

Source: The Oregonian/OregonLive
November 17, 2015

View video

On Tuesday, Gresham City Council members approved the selection of the project's developer who will help pay for the project and bring in an architectural firm to design a 5.5-acre campus for technology, media, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Rockwood residents should also find restaurants, banking services and grocery items in an area that's seen major chains close their doors.

City leaders have so far found funding sources of about $11.5 million to $12.5 million of that cost to build at the project location, called by officials as the catalyst site. With a population of about 16,500, Rockwood is known for its high rates of poverty and crime but also its diversity and youth.

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"There are a lot of young smart people and a lot of great ideas that don't have an opportunity at this point," City Councilor Mario Palmero said. "I still think the American dreams lives in Gresham more than anywhere in the state of Oregon."

City Council members chose RKm Development, owned by Roy Kim, over two other candidates: Pate Retail and Hanlon Development. RKm built Bethany Village, a mixed-use development of residences, office and retail spaces just north of Beaverton. The developer will work with YBA Architects and Robert H. Foster Consultants on the project, according to their proposal.

Architects and designers would be influenced by Latin American, Northern European and Asian elements, such as "eclectic architecture, non-traditional plant materials, and a wide color palette," according to their proposal.

"To capture a multi-ethnic experience, the public spaces and circulation would take cues from Latin American urban plazas and Asian market streets while also acknowledging the nascent block structure of the immediate vicinity," the RKm proposal states.

More below the break

Get Involved, Make a Difference When: Thu Oct 01, 2015 6PM-8PM Where: Gresham City Hall Rooms 2A and 2B 1333 NW Eastman Pky Gresham, OR Get Map!

This is a Community Forum designed to ask for public input on the DCIP-8 project. DCIP-8 is a broad ranging project that, among other things, will review which sections of the Development Code should be moved to the GRC, how requests for Reasonable Accommodation under the Fair Housing Act should be processed and whether there should be changes made to current Design Review categories.

Read more about the DCIP-8 project.

More info
Contact Ann Pytynia at 503-618-2859 or Ann.Pytynia@GreshamOregon.gov.

Get Involved, Make a Difference When: Wed Oct 07, 2015 6:30PM-8PMM Where: Gresham City Hall Council Chambers 1333 NW Eastman Pky Gresham, OR Get Map!

The Design Commission is the primary advising subcommittee to the City Council on design excellence for the built environment of the city.

More info
Contact Jamie Thomes at 503-618-2842 or Jamie.Thomes@GreshamOregon.gov.

Get Involved, Make a Difference When: Mon Oct 12, 2015 6:30PM-8PM Where: Gresham City Hall Springwater Trail Rm 1333 NW Eastman Pky Gresham, OR Get Map!

The Planning Commission advises City Council on long-range, comprehensive planning and land use issues within the city.

More info
Contact Tammy Richardson at 503-618-2401 or Tammy.Richardson@GreshamOregon.gov.

Get Involved, Make a Difference When: Wed Oct 14, 2015 6:30PM-8:30PM CANCELLED Where: Gresham City Hall Oregon Trail Rm 1333 NW Eastman Pky Gresham, OR Get Map!

The Gresham Redevelopment Commission Advisory Committee (GRDCAC) meets monthly on the second Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

The GRDCAC advises the Gresham Redevelopment Commission (GRDC) on the implementation of urban renewal plans.

More info
Contact Cecille Turley, Urban Renewal Program Technician, at 503-618-2545 or Cecille.Turley@GreshamOregon.gov.

Get Involved, Make a Difference When: Thu Oct 15, 2015 6PM-8PM Where: Gresham City Hall Springwater Trail R 1333 NW Eastman Pky Gresham, OR Get Map!

The Community Development and Housing Subcommittee advises the City Council on community development and housing goals, policies and budgets.

More info
Contact Laurie Wells at 503-618-2404 or Laurie.Wells@GreshamOregon.gov.