West Gresham

After decades of delays and missteps the new courthouse receives the finishing touches as it prepares to open for business.

A long-awaited East County Courts project in the heart of Gresham's Rockwood neighborhood could be just what's needed to jumpstart the town center's redevelopment. Completion of the project represents a commitment to an area left behind long ago.

East County Courts Bldg, 185th & SE Stark St. Opening April 2012. Click to enlarge

The new $19.6 million 40,000-square-foot three-floor facility will have three courtrooms, with room for future expansion to six, an office for the district attorney, a sheriff's department security office, court business office, a data center in the basement and a drop-in child care facility for visitors.

The courthouse will serve people being adjudicated for misdemeanors, violations, small claims, landlord and tenant actions, ex parte hearings and document filing for all civil and domestic relations actions - many of which were previously filed at the overcrowded downtown Portland courthouse. The new courthouse is only for civil matters. It will not include a detention facility, nor will felony cases be heard.

Funding for the new courthouse includes $15 million from Recovery Zone Economic Development (stimulus) Bonds. The remaining portion will be funded from the 2008 sale of the South Edgefield property.

Body Donation Business For Medical Training and Research Expands

MedCure Inc, a 6-year old Portland company that arranges body donations for medical training and research will soon move into their new headquarters at 181st & NE Sandy Blvd in Gresham Oregon.

The 20,000 square foot West Gresham facility with administrative offices features a 1,300 square foot surgical training center with six stations, classrooms and a small auditorium.

Construction of the new building began in early October 2011.

The company also has two other training facilities in Nevada and Rhode Island, and a donor center in Florida.

MedCure is a clearinghouse for families focused on donating a body to science - and medical researchers needing a body for their work.

Site of new police station. Click to enlarge

Site acquisition for Rockwood public safety facility approved. New facility will improve police presence and services in Rockwood / West Gresham area.

On Feb 21, 2012, the Gresham Redevelopment Commission approved the acquisition of 2.3 acres at 675 NE 181st, 1-block north of Glisan for the future site of the Rockwood Public Safety Facility. Get Map!

Approval of the $775,000 property acquisition will allow design and construction of the project to proceed on schedule for completion by the end of 2013. At the same meeting an award of business was given to Group Mackenzie, Inc. to provide architectural services for the project.

"This important step in the process demonstrates the City’s commitment to improving public safety and enhancing police presence in Rockwood," said Mayor Shane Bemis. "It is very exciting to see work begin towards delivering on this vital urban renewal goal."

The 10,000-12,000 sq. ft. Rockwood Public Safety Facility will create a welcoming and highly visible police presence in Rockwood, improving public safety and encouraging new investment in the area.

Once completed the facility will house a range of police functions, including support for patrol officers serving Rockwood and other special units and programs.

Neighborhood Board Meeting CANCELLED When: Mon Mar 26, 2012 6:30PM Where: (Contact for location)

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

For more information please contact: info@wilkeseastna.org

Upcoming Meetings

• Apr 23, 2012
• May 28, 2012
• Jun 25, 2012

Click to download

Find out what's happening     in your neighborhood INSIDE THIS ISSUE East County Courts Open in April Is There Radon In Your Home? New Police Precinct Coming 2013 Reynolds Seeks Superintendent Rosewood Applies for PDC Grant Nadaka Update, SOLV Earth Day Earth Day Recycling Event Apr 21

Download the full-color edition here. Now with clickable 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, timed to correspond with our regular meetings.

Looking for a past issue? Check out the newsletter archive.

Got a story to share?
Wilkes East residents are encouraged to submit articles for the newsletter. Articles should be limited to 300 words and may be subject to editing. Send articles by email to: info@wilkeseastna.org, or by postal mail to: PO Box 536 • Fairview, OR 97024.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012 By James Mayer, The Oregonian Source article

The next Reynolds School District superintendent should respect teachers, be a knowledgeable educator and, most important, not already be working for the district.

That was the message delivered Tuesday afternoon by about two dozen teachers who spoke anonymously to the consultants hired to conduct the superintendent search.

"I am begging you, don't hire anyone in the district," one teacher said.

Reynolds School District has been in turmoil for several years, and the next superintendent will be the fourth in less than 10 years. The district and its teachers have been locked in a bitter contract battle since May (2011).

Stranger Danger Alert A message from HB Lee Middle School:

Early Tuesday afternoon January 17, 2012 an HB Lee Middle School student reported being accosted by an unknown person while walking home from school through Columbia View Park. Get Map.

Fortunately, the student was able to return to the school and report the incident to school personnel. The City of Gresham Police Department is investigating the matter. If you have any information about the incident please contact Gresham Police at (503) 823-3333.

Click to enlarge

Drop-in's Welcome When: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays 4-6PM Where: Community Room Human Solutions - Rockwood Building 124 NE 181 Gresham, OR Get Map!

Free Behavioral Support Group
The Talk it Over support groups are for parents, caregivers, and siblings of a child or teen with a serious behavioral disorder, and is a free public service of Trillium Family Services. This new group will be more accessible to families in East Multnomah and Clackamas Counties and more convenient to public transportation.

Groups meet twice monthly on the 2nd & 4th Tuesday from 4PM-6PM in the Community Room at the new Human Solutions Rockwood building located at 124 NE 181st, Gresham, Oregon (one block north of E Burnside MAX Blue Line Station).

Open to the public. FREE. Drop-in's welcome

When: Wed Jan 11, 2012 7-9PM Where: Rockwood Community Office 18709 SE Stark Gresham, OR Get Map!

Public Welcome
The Gresham Redevelopment Commission Advisory Committee meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. Meetings are open to the public.

The purpose of the Gresham Redevelopment Commission Advisory Committee (GRDCAC) is to advise the Gresham Redevelopment Commission (GRDC) on the implementation of urban renewal plans.

Public participation is welcome and encouraged.

Agenda

• Election of Officers
• Public Safety Facility Discussion
• Report to GRDCAC: 2011 GRDC Work Plan
• 2012 GRDC Work Plan
• Annual Report to GRDC
• Projects/Program Updates

When: Wed Jan 18, 2012 1:000PM Where: Rosewood Cafe 609 SE 162nd Ave (just south of Stark next to Sam's Restaurant) Portland, OR Get Map!

Building Community - Neighbors helping neighbors

Our next monthly Rosewood Community Meeting is around the corner, join us for a conversation about safety in our community: Wednesday, January 18th at 1pm at Rosewood Cafe- 609 SE 162nd Ave (just south of Stark next to Sam's Restaurant)

In the recent past, this community meeting has covered a variety of topics, but we see the need to bring this back to a focused conversation on public safety in our area. We will give brief updates on our progress with the Rosewood space and our partnership with Portland Development Commission on economic development, but the majority of this meeting will focus on how we can continue making the Rosewood neighborhood a safe place for everyone to live, work and play.

We need your perspective to make this a positive and productive conversation. Hope to see you there!

Jenny Glass, The Rosewood Initiative