Announcement

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.

Nadaka Nature Park

Be Part of the Process. Plan to Attend this Meeting. Nov 19, 2009 7PM St Aidans Church

What: Wilkes East Neighborhood Association (WENA) meeting to discuss expansion of Nadaka Nature Park into 1.9 acres on south edge of Nadaka.

When: Thursday, Nov 19th 7PM
St Aidan's Episcopal Church
NE 174th & NE Glisan
Get Map!

Background

WENA and the Friends of Nadaka have successfully applied for a Metro Nature in Neighborhood capital grant, received a contribution from the East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) and worked with the Trust for Public Land (TPL) and the Nelson Estate to acquire this 1.9 acre parcel. The City of Gresham has not contributed money for this purchase but the property will be owned and maintained by the City of Gresham. This acquisition will become part of Nadaka.

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."

County commissioners approve scaled-down facility, Finding funding for the multi-million dollar project still an issue

Source: The Gresham Outlook, Thursday Oct 1, 2009
By Mara Stine

Rockwood might get their courthouse afterall

By a unanimous vote, Multnomah County commissioners approved moving forward with a plan for a new courthouse in Gresham’s Rockwood area Thursday, Oct. 1.

If built – and it is still an if as the county has yet to approve funding for the $17 million to $21 million project – the courthouse will replace Gresham’s old, single courtroom facility on Powell Boulevard. Get Map!

Because so many citizens signed up to testify – all in favor of the project – the 90-minute hearing ran over and two of the five commissioners had to leave for scheduled engagements before voting. But commissioners Jeff Cogen and Deborah Kafoury voiced support for the resolution before leaving.

Zimmerman House 1874

Tours & Open House Zimmerman Heritage Farm Sat Oct 17th 10AM - 3PM

When: Saturday Oct 17, 2009 10AM- 3PM
Where: Zimmerman Park
17111 NE Sandy Blvd
Gresham OR
Get Map!

A delightful 1874 Victorian farmhouse

Take a step back into history at the Zimmermann House, a Victorian era farmhouse, built in 1874 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This beautiful farmhouse is a perfect reflection of typical Columbia River dairy farm life in the late 1800s. The Zimmerman Heritage Farm is a unique cultural education and recreational resource that is being created for the benefit of the public on a 5.98-acre historic site in Gresham, Oregon. Open house and tours are available every third Saturday. Don't miss this unique opportunity to step back in time!

Help ensure new and existing developments are more compatible Join the Residential Compatibility discussion! City Hall, Tuesday Oct 20th 6:30PM

When: Tuesday, Oct 20, 2009 6:30PM
Where: Gresham City Hall
Conference Center
1333 NW Eastman Pky
Get Map!

Residential Compatibility Workshop

The City of Gresham would like your help in ensuring new development and existing development are more compatible with each other.

Please come to this workshop to discuss alternative ways to address issues raised in the Residential Districts Review – Compatibility project.

Alternatives will be presented on the following issues:

• Transitions (commercial or apartments next to single-family)
• Buffers and screening between developments
• Flag lots (homes behind other homes)
• Height and bulk of new homes
• How small-lot subdivisions are reviewed
• Quality/appearance of fences along streets

Mt Hood POPS Orchestra presents "A New World at the POPS" Ben Brooks Auditorium Sunday Oct 25th 3:30PM

When: Sunday, Oct 25, 2009 3:30PM
Where: Ben Brooks Auditorium
Reynolds High School
1698 SW Cherry Park Rd
Get Map!

A World Class Orchestra, right here in Gresham

The Mt Hood POPS Orchestra is the finest orchestra this side of the Oregon Symphony, and it's based right here is Gresham.

Here's your chance to enjoy some of the world’s finest music played by a world class orchestra right here in your own back yard!

Wilkes East Neighborhood Board Meeting Monday Oct 26, 2009 6:30PM

When: Monday Oct 26, 2009 6:30PM
Where: (Contact for location)

Board meetings are scheduled for the 4th Monday of the month at 6:30PM

For more information please contact: info@wilkeseastna.org

Nadaka Nature Park. Click to enlarge

Volunteer opportunities at Nadaka Nature Park Get your Green on! Join us in restoring this beautiful urban habitat.

Quiz?

• When was the last time you visited Nadaka Nature Park?
• Do you know Nadaka is located in the Wilkes East neighborhood?
• Did you know there is a Friends of Nadaka group working to improve Nadaka?
• Do you want to volunteer time - even 1 or 2 hours per month for Nadaka?

Answers

The entrance to Nadaka Nature Park is located at NE 175th Ave & NE Pacific St. Parking is curbside. Get Map!

Volunteer opportunities for Nadaka Nature Park include:

• Organizing monthly cleanups
• Removal of invasive plants
• Planting native plants & trees
• Removing graffiti
• Writing a history of Nadaka Nature Park
• Reaching out to organizations, businesses, churches, schools, etc. to become partners for improvements in Nadaka
• Fulfilling Metro's Nature in Neighborhood grant which includes:
  • A new bench
  • Dog waste stations
  • Trash can
  • Purchase of native plants & trees, etc.
  • Expansion of Nadaka Nature Park onto the recently acquired Nelson property for a community garden, orchard, nature based play area, etc.
• Art project on North fence
• Handling registration at cleanups
• Furnishing baked goods or drinks for volunteers
• Donating funds for projects at Nadaka.

Join the effort!

Volunteers are critical for accomplishing these tasks. Volunteer time is also required for fulfilling grants. As you can see there are many tasks to choose from -- so volunteer for one, two, or more, and join our effort! Together we can make a difference!

Has the air traffic noise increased over your house? Share your comments at this meeting

When: Thursday, Oct 8, 2009 6PM
Where: Gresham City Hall
1333 NW Eastman Pky
Get Map!

The Citizens Noise Advisory Committee (CNAC) for the Portland International Airport would like to personally invite you and your neighbors to it's upcoming Monthly meeting being held next week at the Gresham City Hall. The Agenda for the meeting is below.

We look forward to seeing you all there.