Get ready for increased air traffic noise as PDX makes its seasonal traffic flow change
Semi-Annual Pattern Change
Wilkes East residents will notice a change in aircraft flight activity as Portland International Airport begins its seasonal traffic flow change. This is an annual event that occurs every fall and spring due to changing weather conditions, particularly wind direction and speed.
As a result of this change, residents of Wilkes East neighborhood may experience variations in aircraft noise exposure.
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 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.
When :Tue Mar 6, 2011 6:30-8PM Where: Margaret Scott Elementary School
14700 NE Sacramento
Portland OR Get Map!
Save the Date
Wilkes Community Group is holding their March Board Meeting on Tuesday Mar 6th from 6:30-8PM at the Margret Scott Elementary School Library.
Agenda
6:30 PM Call to order
Minutes - Joyce Ley, Secretary
Treasurer’s Report
Police Report - Neighborhood Response Teams:
East Precinct - Louis Seals, Tim Mast, Steve Albert
North Precinct - Eric Zajac, Kelly Kindrick, Pete McConnell, Miguel Olmos, Brad Kula
6:45 PM Graffiti clean up date --- Discussion and Vote
6:50 PM Mailer to all Households in the Wilkes Community --- Discussion
(Please bring pictures and ideas for content)
7:20 PM WCG Board Secretary Appointment
7:25 PM Expenditure of Wilkes Community Group’s funds --- Discussion
IRS requirement (990-N)
7:40 PM Movies in the Park current budgets --- Update and funding request
7:50 PM Presentations for April and June
8:00 PM Adjourn
WCG meetings (Board or General) are always open to any & all interested community members. Come share your ideas or suggestions for Wilkes.
When: Tue Mar 8, 2012 6PM-8PM Where: Gresham City Hall
Oregon Trail Room
1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!
Renewable Energy Community Forum
Join us on March 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Oregon Trail Room at City Hall for the Renewable Energy Community Forum. Come review and evaluate the preferred alternatives to renewable energy issues.
This project will determine where and how renewable energy technology should be allowed in the city. Renewable energy technology includes solar power, wind turbines, biomass energy and geothermal energy.
When :Tue & Wed Mar 13-14, 2011 Where: Gresham City Hall
East Hill Church Details below
Transportation and economic development plan being discussed for Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview and Wood Village.
Metro regional government is offering two community forums, March 13 & 14, to learn about and participate in the East Metro Connections Plan.
Investing in Gresham and the East Metro area
Federal and state money is shrinking, and when the region makes difficult decisions about who gets it, they reward those cities that agree on near- and long-term priorities. Through an effort called East Metro Connections Plan, Gresham and other east county cities are developing that shared agreement.
Metro will be advocating for federal and state transportation money to make our area more attractive to employers while protecting our neighborhoods, making our roads safer and promoting our treasured natural areas.
Many of you have participated in this effort already. Your input helped identify problems and shaped the solutions Metro is considering. But your role isn’t over. Decisions will be made this spring about how investments will be prioritized. Metro want you to weigh in to tell them what is most important to you.
Participate in person
March 13
7:00PM - 8:30PM
Gresham City Hall
1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!
Coalition of Gresham Neighborhood Associations meeting (60 minutes for East Metro Connections Plan information, discussion and public input)
March 14
5:30PM - 7:30PM
East Hill Church’s Kid City Theater
695 N Main Ave, Gresham Get Map!
East Metro Connections Plan open house (Arrive any time)
Other ways to be involved
Participate online and discover what we learned over the last year, such as why we don’t need a Mount Hood freeway, at www.oregonmetro.gov/eastmetro
Excited about solar? Would you like to join the efforts in increasing solar power in Gresham? Become a volunteer.
Solar Gresham is an exciting new program promoted by the City of Gresham. It offers homeowners solar at up to 80% off the cost with ease of installation and financing. In addition to providing solar at a great price, Solar Gresham will be offering free workshops and assistance with incentives. They'll also help residents find resources to make their homes more energy efficient, therefore reducing utility costs.
Program Available for a Limited Time – April 1 to July 31
Imagine Energy and City staff will guide you through the entire process, from home assessment to installation to ongoing monitoring of your energy production. They will also assist you with obtaining all available incentives.
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.
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.
Friday, January 20, 2012
By James Mayer, The Oregonian
Former Gresham Councilor Richard Strathern says he is likely to launch a petition drive to get his charter reform ideas before voters.
The Charter Review Committee, which has been meeting since October, has not taken any formal votes — that’s scheduled for Feb. 2 (Info below) (UPDATED:Gresham council struggles with vacancy charter language. Feb 8, 2012) — but it seems clear the panel will recommend only minor tweaks to the charter, rejecting the kind of major changes advocated by Strathern.
The former councilor, who did not run for re-election in 2010 after serving one term, is seeking to increase the power of the mayor.
“I think we are all very aware of the financial position the city is in, and the country is in, and now may not be the time to rock the boat,” said Joan Armstrong, a retired accountant who serves as chairwoman of the committee. “I think most of the citizens are more concerned about matters much closer to home life and work life than about trying to remake the world.”
But Strathern says the current form of government, with a city council to set policy and a professional manager to run the day-to-day operations, tends to do the bidding of influential businesses and developers.
“It took me four years to figure out how powerless the council and mayor were,” he said. “I’d get all fired up about something, and then nothing would happen. We clearly don’t really have the authority.”
Thank You!
Wilkes East Neighborhood would like express our gratitude to the following for their generous contributions & continued support:
• Jazzy Bagels, Main St & Powell
• Parkrose Hardware, 106th & Sandy
• Growers Outlet, 162nd & Glisan
• SOLV, Bringing Oregon together
• Albertsons, 181st & Glisan
• And, all the many volunteers!
