News

Third pre-dawn sighting in the past week

For the third time in the past week a lone coyote has been spotted around 5:30AM roaming the Capri Terrace and Clairmont areas in the Wilkes East neighborhood on NE Oregon & 166th, and NE Multnomah between 165th & 162nd. Residents should be careful to keep small pets and animals indoors at night and keep a watchful eye on them when they're outside.

UPDATED Feb 24, 2011: A pair of coyotes was seen again roaming NE Multnomah St between 165th &162nd a couple of hours before dawn Thursday morning. Residents in the area are advised to leave the coyotes alone as they typically do not present risks to humans unless cornered or threatened.

Urban coyotes sightings are not unusual in the Portland area, especially between the hours of dusk and dawn when they are most active. Just last fall there were several reported sightings in the Alameda neighborhood of Northeast Portland

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

• Neighborhood Safety Forum – February 16
• Crime Reports
• Raptor Identification Workshop February 1
• Show the Love Contest
• Community Forum – February 15
• YWCA Fundraising Event
• Drawing Out Conflict – Workshop to Explore Conflict Resolution
• Gresham-Barlow School Board Hosting Community Forum
• Try Local First Key Tag Program
• YWCA Thrift Store Gives Back to Those in Need
• Basic Mediation Training: Apply by February 28
• Water Crews Flushing Pipes
• NE Hood Avenue Project Open House February 15
• Free Rain Garden Workshop March 5
• New Pilot Program - Water Audit and Home Energy Review
• New Year, New Trail to Explore
• SmartTrips is Coming to Gresham Regional Center Neighborhood
• Gresham Woods, Ambleside, Need Volunteers at Event

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Gresham Neighborhoods listing

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

Coalition of Gresham Neighborhood Associations Board Meeting Tuesday Feb 8, 2011 7:00PM

When: Tuesday Feb 8, 2011 7:00PM
Where: Gresham City Hall, Springwater Trail Room
1333 NW Eastman Pky
Get Map!

Public welcome

The Coalition of Gresham Neighborhood Associations was formed to provide structure and support for the leadership of Gresham's neighborhood associations, enabling more effective cooperation among neighborhood associations in order to achieve desired outcomes. Goals of the Coalition include providing a public forum for the review and evaluation of issues and problems, providing education and information on specific areas such as land use, and providing a unified voice for the neighborhood associations.

The Coalition meets monthly on the second Tuesday at 7:00PM

Reynolds Tomorrow Tough Choices: Smart Decisions

District wants your online survey feedback for proposed 2011-12 budget. Results to be posted in February

Source: The Gresham Outlook, Jan 11, 2011
By Rob Cullivan

In an effort to increase public input into its proposed 2011-12 budget, the Reynolds School District plans to gather opinions through an online survey.

The survey is part of a program called “Reynolds Tomorrow: Tough Choices – Smart Decisions,” information about which can be found at ReynoldsTomorrow.com.

Sign-up here to participate in the survey!

“At this date, the district cannot predict how much state aid will be available for the 2011-12 budget year,” the site states, adding Oregon “is facing a $3.5 billion revenue shortfall, based on the latest quarterly economic forecast in November 2010.

“The picture for the next fiscal year (2011-2012) has not come into full focus,” the site reports. “If our state allocation next year holds constant, the district may have to eliminate at least $4 million from the current operating budget.”

Jim Clark / Gresham Outlook Disc golfer Jerry Miller, right, helped spearhead a drive to raise funds for Park Place Coffee when owner Dina DiNucci, left, was ready to close up shop.

Unexpected help keeps cafe owner from closing her heart and doors Park Place Coffee will continue serving the community

Source: The Gresham Outlook, Jan 7, 2011, Updated Jan 11, 2011
By Mara Stine

Dina DiNucci opened her coffee and crepe shop Park Place Coffee in Rockwood four years ago, not only to operate a small business, but to give the community a gathering place.

But as the economy tanked it became harder and harder for DiNucci to stay afloat. She squeaked by every month. Yet as 2011 neared, she wondered if it made sense to invest another $1,000 in her annual business licenses, permit and other yearly expenses

GRDC Advisory Committee agenda: Election of Officers, Rockwood Code Compliance Staff Report, 2011 Revenue Projections, Rockwood in Motion Update, Annual Report to GRDC, Plaza del Sol Programming Work Group Update

When: Wednesday Jan 12, 2011 7PM-9PM
Where: Gresham City Hall
Oregon Trail Conference Center
1333 NW Eastman Pky
Gresham OR
Get Map!

On the agenda

Click here for Wednesday night's Gresham Redevelopment Commission (GRDC) Advisory Committee meeting agenda. This link takes you to the City of Gresham webpage that has the attachments and further meeting information.

East County Courts, Rockwood Click for enlarge

Formal ground breaking to begin construction of $19.6 million courthouse Courthouse opens in spring 2012

When: Friday, Jan 7, 2011 11:00AM
Where: East County Courthouse site
SE 185th Avenue & Stark St
Gresham OR
Get Map!

Source: Multnomah County, East County Courts website

Public Affairs Office, News Release

Multnomah County is slated to break ground on a new courts facility in the Rockwood neighborhood of Gresham.

On Friday, Jan. 7 at 11 a.m., project stakeholders will make remarks and formally break ground to begin construction on the $19.6 million courthouse on a 4.2 acre lot at Southeast 185th Avenue and Stark Street in Gresham. The Courthouse opens in spring 2012.

Speakers will include Oregon State District 25 Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson, Multnomah County Presiding Judge Jean Maurer; Multnomah County Chair Jeff Cogen; Multnomah County Commissioners Diane McKeel and Judy Shiprack; and project manager Doug Obletz with Shiels Obletz Johnsen.

The expanded court facilities 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 these functions historically have been filed at the downtown courthouse.

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

• Holiday Schedule for Garbage and Recycling Service
• Living Christmas Trees Good for Environment
• Red Sunset Park Construction Project Starts
• Giving Gifts that Create Less Waste
• Property Crime Maps
• We’re Updating Gresham's Transportation System Plan
• Help Volunteer to Survey Amphibians This Winter
• New MAX Station at Gresham Station
• Did You Know? Wipes Clog Pipes
• Volunteer as a Severe Events Driver

Keep up with what’s Happening in your City!

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Subscribe to City media releases - Read more

Gresham Neighborhoods listing

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

188/187 realignment begins

Start Street Boulevard completes. 188th/187th Ave realign begins, open house Nov 17th 6PM. Plaza del Sol holiday event, Dec 11.

One project completes

One major Urban Renewal-funded project is successfully wrapping up and another is about to get under way in Central Rockwood. The Stark Street Boulevard project is finishing up work to Stark between 190th and 199th, with the final round of concrete work and landscape planting to be completed any day now. The project improved sidewalks, bike lanes and crosswalks along this important arterial street, and added new street lights and landscaping.

Another project begins

At the same time, the 187th Avenue project is about to begin, with demolition of the north part of the Rockwood Community Office building leading off work that will build a new street connection from 187th and Stark to 188th and Burnside across the east end of former Fred Meyer site (the southern portion of the building used by Gresham Police will remain as is). When it’s complete, this new street will provide a much safer direct connection between the Rockwood MAX station and the neighborhood to the south of Stark, complete with a new signal at 187th and Stark, which should reduce much of the current conflict between vehicles and pedestrians on that stretch of Stark. Construction area map.

What are these things? Click to enlarge

Beauty meets functionality Born in Portland, Stormwater planters are being replicated nationwide for their 'green' stormwater management

Let The Rains Begin

With the rainy season upon us it seems appropriate to explore some recent roadside changes in our area.

Q. Have you noticed the new curbside planters popping-up everywhere and wondered what they are, and what's their purpose?

A. They're Stormwater planters. And are being installed to manage street stormwater runoff and improve the water quality of area rivers and streams.

Managing Stormwater, Naturally

Stormwater planters are a natural stormwater management approach that uses plants and soil to slow, filter, and cleanse stormwater from streets. Traditional stormwater management directs runoff into pipes. Stormwater planters disconnect street stormwater runoff from a storm sewer and manages it at its source, where rain falls, using a landscape approach.

Nationally Recognized Program Pioneered in 2005 by the City of Portland's "12th Avenue Green Street Project," stormwater planters are now used extensively throughout Portland neighborhoods and urban areas. In fact, stormwater planters are so effective at managing stormwater runoff that cities all across the nation are following Portland's footsteps.

12th Ave Green Streets Project Click to enlarge

Since 2005 the City of Portland has received many awards for its innovative designs and has become the recognized leader in green stormwater management.

Stormwater planters protect water quality in rivers and streams by removing up to 90% of pollutants. They replenish groundwater supplies, absorb carbon, improve air quality and improve neighborhood aesthetics.