Announcement

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

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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

With funding from the Oregon Youth Development Council’s “Youth & Gangs Grants”, the City of Gresham is sponsoring a late-night basketball program every Friday from 6 to 10 p.m. at H.B. Lee Middle School.

Boys & Girls, Grades 6-12

The program, which started last fall, offers skill-building and supervised games for youth in grades 6 through 12. The program is part of a larger citywide effort to connect more at-risk youth with positive adults and activities, and so far it’s working well. Last year an average of 50 youth participated every Friday night without incident. Following the success of year one, the school happily agreed to continue its partnership with the City, and the state renewed the grant fund-ing for the next biennium.

Morer Info
For more information, contact Joe Walsh, City of Gresham, at 503-618-2372.

By Monica McAllister, Nadaka Park Coordinator

Nadaka’s 5th Annual Nadaka Community Festival was a huge success! We had 23 partnering organizations hosting booths, free refreshments provided by Albertsons and Earth H2O, Aztec dancers, steel drum performer, a Ukrainian folk singer, and a variety of family fun activities and crafts. Between 350-400 community members attended the event. All of this was made possible by our wonderful volunteers, partnering or-ganizations, and local community members. We're always look-ing for great new ideas and help planning. To join the Festival Planning Committee email the Nadaka Park Coordinator at monica@friendsofnadaka.org.

Since June, we've had 3 Nadaka Community Cleanups and the SOLVE Beach and Riverside Cleanup at Nadaka. This year’s “No Ivy Day” had 60 high school students from “College Possible” volunteer to remove invasive plants! We are so thankful for all our volunteers and their hard work! We’re always looking for volunteers, groups, organizations, and businesses to come to our stewardship events. Our next stewardship opportunity is the Native Planting Event February 27th 9-12pm.

We also hosted a series of classes and private organizations at Nadaka for environmental and garden education. These include our monthly Bird Walks, Garden Workshops, and “Tadpole Tales” with story time, a craft, nature walk, and show and tell. We held a nature day camp called “A Week in the Woods” taught by Earth Art and Agriculture.

Nadaka will host an Urban Coyote Talk with Audubon Society of Portland, Monday November 16th 6:30pm, St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, Murdock Hall. Coyotes have become established in Gresham neighborhoods just as they have become established in many urban areas across the United States. Some people are happy to see these wild dogs while others are concerned about conflicts. Come learn about urban coyotes with Audubon Conservation Director, Bob Sallinger. Bob has been working on coyote issues in the Metro Region for more than two decades.

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

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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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Let's improve the city – together. Request non-emergency services. Read in real-time Spanish, Russian and 14 other languages.

 Let's improve the city – together. Request non-emergency services, including: fix a pothole, report a broken streetlight, ask a question. Read in real-time Spanish, Russian and 14 other languages. Either online or mobile. Visit https://greshamoregon.gov/mygresham/

My Gresham is available online and also as a free mobile app, allowing you to report issues or ask us questions, anytime, anywhere. Available for iPhone and Android.

How it works: Ask a question or submit a request. Your request will be routed to the correct person at the City, who will communicate with you directly. Follow the progress of your request online. When the service is complete you'll be notified. Give it a try!

Absolutely A Must See! When: Thu Oct 01, 2015 8:30AM-5PM Where: Beacon Rock and Rodney Falls Meet at: Gresham City Hall 1333 NW Eastman Pwy Gresham, OR Get Map!

Beacon Rock State Park is the site of two popular trails just off Highway 14 on the Washington side of the Columbia River. The first is an approximately two-mile round-trip stair-climb to the top of Beacon Rock. This familiar landmark in the Gorge is an 848-foot-high block of basalt that has great views of the Columbia river along the many switchbacks of the trail all the way to the top. The second is just across the highway on the Hamilton Mountain trail and is approximately 2.5-mile round-trip to Rodney Falls, which is a hike through a second-growth Douglas fir forest to a couple of picturesque falls. Bring a snack, water and lunch to eat along the trail. While comfortable walking shoes are appropriate for Beacon Rock, hiking boots are recommended for the Rodney Falls trail.

• Round-trip travel: 80 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate/difficult
• Elevation gain: Beacon Rock - 300 feet; Rodney Falls - 600 feet
• Suggested donation per hiker: $8

The parking for this hike requires a $10 Washington Discover Pass. The Bridge of the Gods toll is $2 each way, so in addition to the $8 rider donation, these extra expenses will be shared among the number of riders per car.

More Info
Contact Karen or Bob Holman at 503-661-7010.

Exciting New Careers! When: Thu Oct 01, 2015 4PM-7PM Where: Center for Advanced Learning 1484 NW Civic Dr Gresham OR Get Map!

Gear up for a career in manufacturing! Learn about exciting careers in advanced manufacturing and industrial engineering. See live demonstrations of 3D printers, laser cutters, robots and a flight simulator. Talk with industry representatives and get advice on your job search.

Event flyer

For more information about this event contact Ashley Graff at 503-618-2297 or Ashley.Graff@GreshamOregon.gov.

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.

Farm Fresh Produce! When: Friday May 29-Oct 30 3PM-7PM Where: Plaza del Sol 18535 S.E. Stark St Gresham OR Get map!

The Rockwood Farmers Market is a community-focused market featuring fresh produce from local farms in a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere. WIC, SNAP and Farm Direct coupons are accepted. Use your EBT funds at the market and we'll match the first $5 so you have even more money to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables to bring home! The Market is a collaboration of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s Interfaith Food & Farms Partnership and the Rockwood Co-op.

Visit the Rockwood Farmers Market website or Facebook page.

Saturdays May thru October! When: Every Saturday, 8:30AM-2PM Where: NW Miller & Third St Historic Downtown Gresham, OR Get Map!

Fresh & Local
Shoppers will find all-natural meats and cheeses, fresh-picked produce, nursery stock and fresh-cut flowers, hand-crafted jewelry, soaps, artwork, and much more. Live music and food are always part of the market.

Located on Northwest Miller Avenue between Second and Third Street 8:30AM to 2PM each Saturday now through Oct. 25.