City of Gresham

Rockwood Fred Meyer (demolished), 185th & SE Stark. Click to enlarge.

Once the 'heart' of a thriving middle-class community, Rockwood continues to remain on life-support

UPDATE: Jan 2013

Ask anyone in East County to describe Rockwood and you're likely to hear them say "slum", "trouble", or simply "stay away".

From everything to nothing
Not long ago -- or so it seems, Rockwood was a vibrant community, serving the regional needs of folks living in unincorporated East Multnomah County between the cities of Portland and Gresham. Whatever your need, Rockwood had it: grocerers, retailers, furniture, fast-food & restaurants, services, medical and more. Rockwood was buzzing with activity.

Those days are gone along with businesses like Fred Meyer, GI Joes, Girrods, Star Furniture, Rockwood Lanes, Fred's Travelrama, the laundromat, the urgent-care, Burger King, KFC, Dairy Queen, Winchell's, Skippers, and countless others.

Ignored for years by local government, Rockwood has been in decline for decades. Crime-infested, and poverty-sticken. Today Rockwood is fighting for its very survival.

Signal upgrades, ramp improvements, and pavement repairs are underway. Much needed traffic changes come to West Gresham.

Ask any rush hour commuter traveling NE 181st Ave in West Gresham and they will tell you, traffic congestion between Interstate 84 and NE Halsey St is miserable. In fact at times, it's downright unbearable.

Frustrated commuters rejoice, change is here!

According to the City of Gresham Project Manager and City Engineers the long awaited NE 181st Ave Corridor Signal Improvements project has begun.

Linda Kidby, City of Gresham spokesperson says "signal upgrades, ramp improvements, and pavements repairs are underway right now and should be completed soon" to relieve traffic congestion through this busy area.

Expect delays and weekend closures

Construction workers are currently making improvements to all of the handicap accessible sidewalk ramps at the intersection of NE San Rafael St at NE 181st Ave.

Due to the nature of the asphalt repairs and the high traffic volume along NE 181st Ave city workers will need to close several intersections in the

The Government Affairs Council Presents Going Green in Gresham with Mayor Shane Bemis

When: Wednesday, June 17th 11:30AM -1:00PM
Where: Heidi's Restaurant
1230 NE Cleveland Ave
Gresham, OR
Lunch $20.00

Going Green in Gresham

Where does the City of Gresham stand in the world of going green? Have we implemented green practices at the City and how do we compare to other Cities in the region? What are we doing to leverage our green values for economic development? Do we have a chance of attracting clean technology companies to Gresham? Do we have the infrastructure, work force and tax structure that clean technology companies are seeking? Please join us as we meet with Mayor Shane Bemis to discuss the answer to these and other important questions about our green values and the connection of those values to economic development.

Please RSVP to the Chamber at (503) 665-1131 or by email to gacc@greshamchamber.org.

Preserving urban habitat for tomorrow. Nadaka Nature Park "Preferred Design" Master Plan Presentation

When: June 11, 2009 7PM
Where: Gresham City Hall
1333 NW Eastman Parkway
Gresham, OR
Get Map!

Preferred Design Presentation

Join us June 11th, at 7PM, for a presentation of the 'preferred design' Nadaka Nature Park Master Plan at Gresham City Hall.

The revised master plan includes exciting changes that are sure to please everyone. See you there!

Be a part of the fun! Volunteers Greatly Needed to Help with June Community Events!

Volunteer Opportunities

• June 6th, 4 Volunteers: Center for the Arts Grand Opening
• June 13th, 10 Volunteers: Hershey’s Track and Field Event
• June 20th, 5 Volunteers: Gradin Sports Park Grand Opening

Gresham Parks and Recreation is in great need of your help. Please check out the volunteer event opportunities below. Be a part of the fun. Volunteer!

Please RSVP to Danielle Quist, Community Volunteer Coordinator, Gresham Parks and Recreation, NWSA AmeriCorps by email to Danielle.Quist@ci.gresham.or.us, or phone 503-618-2789.

The debacle continues. Budget overruns, poor leadership, and tough economy plague chronically delayed project in Rockwood.

Source: The Oregonian, Tuesday May 12, 2009
by Nikole Hannah-Jones

Stalled for decades, project now lacks support

Multnomah County Commissioner Diane McKeel told a crowd gathered to fight for a East County justice center in Rockwood that there's not enough board support to build the long-delayed courthouse project anywhere in Gresham because of the economy. The community should stop fighting for location and push commissioners to support building it at all, she said. Editor: Contact the commissioners here.

McKeel, County Chairman Ted Wheeler, Sheriff Bob Skipper, Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis and District Attorney Mike Schrunk sat with a panel of other government officials at a forum Tuesday night where community members were to urge the county board to reconsider building the beleagured project in Rockwood.

Original plans called for a justice center to be built in Rockwood, which has been plagued by crime and disinvestment. But Wheeler proposed the project, which has been stalled for decades, be moved to downtown Gresham because it would save about $7 million.

Coalition of Gresham Neighborhood Associations Board Meeting Tuesday June 9, 2009 7:00PM

When: Tuesday June 9, 2009 7:00PM
Where: Gresham City Hall, Springwater Trail Room

The Coalition of Gresham Neighborhood Associations next meeting will be Tuesday June 9, 2009 7:00PM in the Springwater Trail Room, Gresham City Hall, 1333 NW Eastman Parkway, Gresham, OR 97030.

Public welcome

City of Gresham News, Community Activities, Workshops & More

Neighborhood Connections is a publication from the City of Gresham Communications & Community Outreach offering City of Gresham news, Public Safety information, Community Activities & Events, Training & Workshops, Volunteer Opportunities, and more.

Inside this Issue...

• Meet the Mediators: May 14
• Community Information Fair
• Neighborhood Safety Training
• Workshop: Tools for Resolving Conflict
• Free Recycle Event: April 18
• AmeriCorps Earth Day Symposium
• Kane Drive Preconstruction Meeting: April 23
• Volunteer! Bird Survey Orientations: May 2 and 9
• Natural Gardening Fair and Plant Sale: May 9
• Volunteer! Help Count Bicyclists and Pedestrians: May 12-17
• Wetlands 101 Class and Tour: May 16
• SOLV Take Care of Oregon Days: May 16
• Volunteers Needed to Help Survey Neighborhood Sidewalks
• Hershey’s Track and Field Games for Youth: June 13
• Meet Quarg: Free DVD Features Environmentally-Savvy Puppets
• Transit Boards Promote Public Transportation in Our Community

For more information, visit the Neighborhood Associations page at GreshamOregon.gov or contact Cathy Harrington at 503-618-2482, or email cathy.harrington@ci.gresham.or.us.

Residential Districts Review, Innovative Housing Demonstration Project Code amendments hearing

When: Tuesday. April 7, 2009 6:00PM
Where: >Gresham City Hall
Council Chambers
1333 NW Eastman Parkway

Meeting Info

The City Council will hold a hearing on the Residential Districts Review, Innovative Housing Demonstration Project Code amendments on April 7, 2009. The hearing will be held in the Gresham City Hall Council Chambers at 1333 NW Eastman Parkway. The Council meeting begins at 6:00 PM.

Hearing Materials

Materials for the hearing may be found on the City Council Website by clicking here.

Questions or comments? Contact Stacy Humphrey, Special Projects Planner, City of Gresham, phone 503-618-2202, or email stacy.humphrey@ci.gresham.or.us.

Come and see Nadaka Nature Park's improvements Learn about non-native invasives

When: Friday Apr 17, 2009 9:00AM - 1:00PM
Where: Nadaka Park
NE 176th Ave and NE Pacific St
(Click here for a map)
Gresham, OR

Event Info

Join us Friday, April 17th from 9AM to 1PM as Hollydale Elementary students teachers and parents, the City of Gresham Parks & Recreation and Friends of Nadaka to kick-off Earth Day 2009 at Nadaka Park. Students will help mulch the new plantings and learn about and remove non-native invasives such as ivy and Herb Robert.

If you haven't seen Nadaka Park this year you owe it to yourself to see the many improvements and new plantings!

About Nadaka Park

Nadaka Park is a lovely 10-acre parcel of "natural area" that includes a walking trail loop, tall trees, native plants, and a beautiful grassy meadow. Nadaka is located in the Wilkes East Neighborhood just north of NE Glisan St. The only public entrance to the park is on NE Pacific St at NE 176th Ave. Directions: from either NE 172nd Ave, or NE 181st Ave, take NE Pacific St to NE 176th Ave. Parking is curbside. Enter through the main gate.