Cub Scouts Pack #740 at Nadaka Park Cleanup. Click to enlarge

Cub Scouts remove vines and invasives as part of four Community Service projects to earn a special award.

By Lorraine Strahlmann
(Wilkes East resident. Jan 8, 2010)

If you were a young lad, where would you and your buddies be on an October Saturday morning? If you guessed Gresham Youth Football practice, this time you are wrong.

On this particular day, five (5) Cub Scouts from Gresham Pack #740 were hard at work helping clean Nadaka Nature Park of invasive plants, trees and vines.

With parental supervision the Cubs pushed wheelbarrows they filled with debris to a waiting yard waste bin provided by the City of Gresham.

Suzan Wells, Pres. SWNA outside abandoned QFC store 182nd/Powell. Gresham Outlook

City identifies 181st & Halsey as one of four potential Gresham locations. Five years later, still no 'Big Box' building code for responsible development.

According to a recent City Council report the possibility is real.

At the October 13th 2009 City Council meeting city planners presented a report that acknowledges Gresham's (Oregon's fourth largest city) need for a big-box policy. The report outlined areas of concern; a summary of how similar sized cities address those issues; and how Gresham compares.

Report recommends delay

The report recommends delaying code development saying the retail market has slowed, making another big-box development unlikely anytime soon. Besides, "A big-box store requires eight acres to accommodate parking," said John Pettis, associate comprehensive planner, "there are no vacant properties (in Gresham) that meet that requirement".

Planners did however identify four sites big enough to be redeveloped to accommodate a big-box (bigger than 100,000 sq. ft.); including 181st & Halsey. (See map below for location)

Joyce Henstrand Jim Clark/Gresham Outlook

The Reynolds School District Board appoints acting superintendent, replacing Dr Robert Fisher

Joyce Henstrand named acting superintendent

Source: The Gresham Outlook, Dec 22, 2009
By Rob Cullivan, The Gresham Outlook

The Reynolds School District Board appointed Joyce Henstrand, 62, acting superintendent on Monday, Dec 21, 2009.

Henstrand, the district’s executive director of instruction since 2007, has worked in the district since 2003. She succeeds Robert Fisher, who resigned Dec 18th.

Since fall 2008, Fisher had led the district, and was credited by board members for straightening out the district’s financial mess. He was supposed to serve until June 30, 2010, but he quit early, citing differences with the board over policies and other issues.

Henstrand will serve in her position until the district hires a permanent superintendent. A search is under way for a permanent district leader, and Henstrand noted she plans to apply for the job.

Community-based urban living in West Gresham's Rockwood triangle. Click to enlarge

Sustainable Cities Year project redefines Rockwood potential. Proximity to Portland and MAX huge factors.

"Rockwood Boulevard combines social and community goals to transform an isolated and distressed site into a vibrant neighborhood. At the heart of the six arce site is a street lined with local business creating an atmosphere bursting with activity and unique flavor."

Six new designs for Rockwood

University of Oregon graduate students involved in the year-long Sustainable Cities Year program presented six new designs for the Rockwood triangle to an enthusiastic audience at the Gresham Redevelopment Commission (GRC) meeting on Dec 9, 2009. The crowd, which divided into three groups for two presentations and a short Q&A every 20 minutes, liked what they saw.

"Community-based urban living supported by a micro economy of local business" dominated the design themes. Students cited the close proximity to downtown Portland and the importance of the adjacent MAX Blue Line as huge factors in their designs, saying Rockwood is positioned to become a vital and thriving area in West Gresham.

Capri Terrace Fall 2009 meeting Click to enlarge

911 presentation highlights meeting Neighbors enjoy hot soup & warm conversation on a brisk Fall day

911 Visits Capri Terrace

The topic for the Capri Terrace neighborhood watch was "when to call 911 vs., the non-emergency number".

About 35 people attended the Fall meeting held Nov 8th. A spokesperson from the Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC), Melanie Payne (Training and Development) gave the "do's and dont's" for using the 911 system. Melanie did a great job informing everyone about how the system works. She also stressed that kids need to know their address as early on as possible. People need to know when to use the non-emergency number: (503) 823-3333. "911" should only be used when the situation involves saving a Life, stopping a crime in progress, or reporting a fire.

Kevin and Tammy Hanson did a great job hosting. Just in time for Fall there were two large pots of soup, salad, and an assortment of deserts for everyone to enjoy.

Good Idea, Bad Idea? You decide.

Help ensure new and existing developments are more compatible. Read what Gresham citizens had to say on this important issue. Download the report here!

Input summary report now available

A Residential Compatibility "Public Input Summary" that describes community reaction to possible residential compatibility solutions is now available on the project website (click on “Project Documents and Meeting Materials”).

Project website (click on link, or paste in your browser) http://greshamoregon.gov/city/city-departments/planning-services/comprehensive-planning/template.aspx?id=9634.

If you attended the workshops, we encourage you to review the information to ensure participants’ comments are correctly described. New comments also are welcome.

Note: This project has been put on hold and is scheduled to resume in 2010.

Seko Worldwide, Portland office Click to enlarge

Incentives greatly reduce system cost. Solar expected to provide 80% of the company's power need.

Solar brightens local business

Another local business has commited itself to GREEN by installing rooftop solar panels at its new 33,000 square foot facility in the Wilkes East area.

The Portland office of SEKO Worldwide, a personalized global freight transportation and logistics provider, is installing a 31Kw 'grid-tie' solar system in an efforts to increase its energy independence. The 143 panel photovoltaic (PV) system will supply about 80% of the company's lighting, heating, and air conditioning power needs when it becomes operational this December.

What to do with the old Rockwood Fred Meyer site? Click to enlarge

Exciting news for Rockwood! “Sustainable Suburbs” students study Rockwood catalyst site, will present six different approaches to redeveloping the Rockwood Town Center, Dec 9th 7PM

Members of the larger Rockwood Community encouraged to attend!

When: Wednesday, Dec 9, 2009 7PM
Where: Gresham City Hall
Oregon Trail Conference Center
1333 NW Eastman Pky
Get Map!

You are invited!

As part of the University of Oregon’s year-long engagement with the City of Gresham through its Sustainable Cities Year (http://aaa.uoregon.edu/sci/scy/), students from Professor Nico Larco’s Architecture studio “Sustainable Suburbs” have been studying the Rockwood catalyst site at 185th and SE Stark Street and surrounding areas, interviewing local stakeholders, and visualizing the neighborhood’s potential with sustainability in mind. At the December 9th Gresham Redevelopment Commission Advisory Committee meeting, students from the University of Oregon will present six different approaches to redeveloping the Rockwood Town Center.

UPDATED: Recent area changes and photos below.

Members of the larger Rockwood Community are encouraged to attend on December 9th and be a part of what promises to be an interesting and lively discussion.

Volunteers register for the event Click to enlarge

Volunteers plant trees, shrubs. Fill 40-yard dumpster with invasives. Columbia Slough Watershed Council, Concordia University baseball pitch in.

Perfect morning for the event

What started out as a small Nadaka Nature Park clean-up for Saturday, Nov. 14 soon became a large-scale event with 92 volunteers in attendance. Workers performed tasks involving the planting of 14 native trees, 65 shrubs and 170 small plants and herbs, as well as the removal of invasive species including ivy and blackberry bushes. Members of the Columbia Slough Watershed Council volunteered at this event and played a significant role in getting the Concordia University baseball team members involved in preserving this important 12-acre natural forest park located at 176th and NE Pacific just north of Glisan.

Owens Corning, Gresham plant Click to enlarge

100% Green Energy Use. Gresham facility demonstrates its commitment to sustainabilty.

Gresham Strikes Gold

Owens Corning's Gresham Oregon facility celebrated a golden achievement this Fall by receiving the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for new construction from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) (www.usgbc.org).

The LEED award recognizes superior achievement in design, construction and operation of green buildings. Owens Corning's Gresham plant is the only LEED Gold-certified insulation facility in the United States and one of approximately 203 industrial facilities in the U.S. that have been awarded LEED certification. The Gresham plant began operating in July 2009.

During a ceremony at the plant to celebrate the honor, Karel Czanderna, president of the building materials group, said, "Owens Corning is carrying out our commitment to sustainability today by focusing on three areas: greening our products, greening our operations and accelerating energy efficiency improvements in the built environment. This facility reflects all three components of that approach."