City of Gresham

Nelson Neighborhood Park Master Plan Click to enlarge

Public forums, citizen input and design changes complete City Council set to adopt Nelson Neighborhood Park Master Plan

When: Tuesday Jun 1, 2010 6PM
Where: Gresham City Hall
Council Chamber
1333 NW Eastman Pky
Gresham, OR
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Council to consider plan

The Gresham City Council will consider for adoption the Nelson Property Neighborhood Park Master Plan at the June 1st, 6PM meeting in the City Council Chamber. There will be a public comment period at the start of the meeting. Comments are limited to 3 minutes. Everyone is encouraged to attend this important meeting and show their support for this project.

About Nelson

The Nelson Property is a 2.0-acre parcel located adjacent to the City-owned Nadaka Nature Park, fronting NE Glisan Street at NE 176th. Click here for a vicinity map of the area.

The second Nelson Property Neighborhood Park Master Plan Community Forum was held March 31st. At this forum the Preferred Design Alternative was presented which took into account comments from the Parks & Recreation Advisory Subcommittee, Urban Forestry Subcommittee, January 20 Community Forum, Metro Parks & Greenspaces, East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District and City staff.

The Master Plan includes approximately 1/3 of the property to be community gardens and orchard. There will also be picnic tables, a nature-based play area, and public restrooms. A walking loop will connect the Nelson Neighborhood Park with Nadaka Nature Park. (It will be necessary for citizens to obtain addtitional grant monies to develop the Nelson property.) The Nelson Property Summary Report and Community Forum Summary Reports are available on the City's website here.

Background

In 2009 the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association and Friends of Nadaka successfully obtained a Metro Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grant, a grant from the East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District and a donation from the Nelson Family Trust to purchase the 2 arce site for use as a neighborhood park. The Trust For Public Lands negotiated the purchase.

New MAX Station, 188th & Burnside Click to enlarge

Defining Rockwood's Town Center Change is on the horizon!

Let the projects begin!

Look for big changes starting this summer, as the Gresham Redevelopment Commission begins transforming the face of Central Rockwood with a distinctive urban design.

"Rockwood in Motion" projects will benefit residents and businesses alike by providing a fresh new look for the area, improving safety and access to MAX, and jump-starting investment in the Rockwood Triangle. All while reinforcing the message that Rockwood is a special part of Gresham.

Expect Traffic Delays

Infrastructure improvement projects have already started in some Central Rockwood areas with all projects expected to be underway by June 1.

Click here for Construction Updates.

Burnside widening New Rockwood MAX stations 188th/187th Avenue Realignment SE Stark Boulevard Phase II Former Fred Meyer Site (See project details below)

Construction Map. Click to enlarge

Improving citizen safety though understanding and participation

When: Saturday May 15, 2010 9:00AM - 12:00PM
Where: Gresham City Hall
Council Chambers
1333 NW Eastman Pkwy
Gresham OR
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You're Invited!

The spring's quarterly neighborhood safety forum topics will be:

• Update on City Enforcement Objectives
• Effective Crime Reporting and why it is important
• Property Crimes are on the rise – what you can do to protect yourself
• Organizing your street/block – it’s fun and easy and we’ll give you just the “tool” to get you started

Urban Renewal Project Funding Small Business Incentive Program

When: Tuesday, May 4, 2010 6:00PM
Where: Council Chambers
Gresham Civic Center
Public Safety & Schools Building
1333 NW Eastman Parkway
Gresham, OR
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Special Meeting

The Gresham Redevelopment Commission will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, May 4, 2010. The special meeting will convene immediately following adjournment of the 6:00 p.m. Gresham City Council meeting in the Council Chambers, Gresham Civic Center, Public Safety & Schools Building, 1333 NW Eastman Parkway, Gresham, OR. No Executive Session is scheduled at this time.

The purpose of the special meeting is for the Commission to consider two resolutions:

1. Resolution authorizing execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Gresham for Urban Renewal Project Funding
2. Resolution in support of a Small Business Incentive program

The complete agenda packet is available on the City of Gresham web site, accessible from the following link: GRDC Agendas and Minutes.

NW View. Click to enlarge

After years of promises and delays Rockwood will finally get it's courthouse - once the funding is approved

Source: Willamette Week, OPB News (April 22, 2010)

After years of delays and missteps, Multnomah County commissioners unanimously approved the design for a new East County Courthouse in Rockwood.

The state ordered the county during the 1960's to have a courthouse in East Multnomah county. And there is a court -- but it's little more than one room in the old Gresham City Hall that's overcrowded and run down. But that's all going to change with the approval of a new courthouse in Rockwood's town center.

“I know this is a building. But it represents more than the stones, bricks and glass we see on paper,” said Commissioner Diane McKeel, who represents East County on the five-member board. “It represents commitment to an area left behind for too long.”

The plans call for a 40,000-square-foot building with three courtrooms (and space for more in the future) to handle misdemeanors and traffic cases.

The long-running effort to obtain decent court facilities for East Multnomah County is once again coming to a critical decision point

Source: The Gresham Outlook (Mar 31, 2010)

And that means East County citizens and leaders must maintain a sense of urgency about finally pushing this project over the top.

On Tuesday night, Multnomah County officials – including Commissioners Diane McKeel and Judy Shiprack – held a meeting in outer East Portland to update the community on the preliminary design for a courthouse that would be built in Rockwood, at Southeast 185th Avenue and Stark Street. That session will be followed on April 22 with a presentation to the full board of county commissioners, who then will decide how to proceed with the courthouse project.

(Everyone in the greater East County area (especially Gresham & West Gresham) is urged to attend the April 22 meeting (501 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214). If you cannot attend please submit written statements by email to the County Commissioners here (http://www.co.multnomah.or.us/cc/) prior to April 22 to be added to the record and show your support for this important project! Ed.)

(UPDATE: View preliminary design photos below. Ed.)

Chief Craig Junginger Gresham Police Department

Calls for police services increased in 2009 Violent crime is down, theft & vandelism rise, response times improve

First Annual Report Issued

Gresham Police Chief Craig Junginger recently released the first annual report for the Gresham Police Department. The report summarizes crime and accident data, police programs, and personnel highlights from 2009.

Highlights of the report include the activities of the three divisions of the police department, the department's community involvement, and 2009 crime statistics.

Did you know there are NO dog parks in Gresham? Join a grassroots effort to create an off-leash area.

Many cities the sizes of Gresham have off-leash dog parks that provide a real convenience and source of enjoyment to dog owners and their pets. These dog parks offer a safe and clean environment by providing an alternative to dog owners who might otherwise let their best friend run loose -- presenting a hazard to their pets and people.

In 2007 the City of Gresham added the only off-leash dog park in the city to Main City Park's master plan, but due to a down economy and budget priorities development remains delayed for the foreseeable future.

Meet Bonnie Mitchell, Gresham resident, dog owner, and community organizer. Bonnie is spearheading an effort in cooperation with Gresham Parks & Recreation to locate funding and grants in an attempt to get thing moving. In addition to funding, Bonnie is also seeking community support and volunteers for this project.

Interested persons are urged to contact Bonnie Mitchell by email at...

Gresham Fire visits Capri Terrace Click to enlarge

Firemen speak to Watch Group about home safety Neighbors enjoy "Daffodil & Springtime" luncheon

Capri Terrace Spring Meeting

Great turn out for their first quarterly meeting of the year. 41 members, 5 firemen along with 1 new household joined the Capri Terrace Neighborhood Watch Group. Several of our families had phoned indicating they were making an early start on Spring Break and were disappointed to miss the event.

Gresham Fire sent a big beautiful truck with their team to talk to us about home safety and were very gracious in answering many questions. They brought plenty of useful and informative materials to hand out including several new home CO detectors which were raffled during their presentation.

Billy & Laurie Simmon’s along with their twin daughters Alex & Andi hosted a lovely Daffodil & Springtime luncheon/dinner. Irish-Swiss Stew was prepared for the occasion along with a huge offering of salads, Shamrock/Easter cakes, pies and cupcakes by group members. Potluck's are a great way to meet neighbors and a lot of fun too!

Share your thoughts and opinions on parking in Downtown Gresham. Take the online survey. Now through June!

Downtown Parking Survey

What’s your opinion of parking in historic Downtown? Is it hard to find a parking space, or just fine? You are invited to share your thoughts and opinions on parking in Downtown Gresham through an online survey.

As part of the Downtown Parking Plan project, the City has developed questions regarding parking availability and preferences among those who use Downtown parking. Answers to questions also will help guide how to manage and provide parking in the future.

The survey will be available through June. Please spread the word. Click here to take the survey!