East County Courts in Rockwood Nears Completion, Doors Open Late April 2012

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 in Rockwood Nears Completion, Doors Open Late April 2012. Info here!
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.

MedCure Prepares To Open New Facility in Gresham Oregon

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Body Donation Business For Medical Training and Research Expands

Spring Vegatable Garden; Easy, Fun & Rewarding. As winter transforms into early spring, there are many fantastic vegetables that grow best in cooler seasons. Info here!

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.

Gresham to Build Rockwood Public Safety Facility at Former Kasch's Garden Center Site

City to Build West Gresham Police Precinct at Former Kasch's Garden Center Site. Info here!
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.

Hurry! Take Advantage of Solar Energy with 'Solar Gresham': April 1 to July 31, 2012

Solar energy is one of Oregon's most abundant resources. Hurry! Take Advantage of Solar Energy with 'Solar Gresham': April 1 to July 31, 2012.<br />
 Info here!

Now, This is a Bright Idea!

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.

Spring Vegetable Garden; Easy, Fun & Rewarding

As winter transforms into early spring, there are many fantastic vegetables that grow best in cooler seasons.

Spring Vegatable Garden; Easy, Fun & Rewarding. As winter transforms into early spring, there are many fantastic vegetables that grow best in cooler seasons. Info here!

 The first vine ripened tomato may still be a few months away, but there’s still plenty to keep you busy in the vegetable garden. Take advantage of the cool, wet weather of spring to put in multiple crops of nutritious vegetables.

Spring Favorites
Here's a list of great choices along with their days til harvest that are carefree & easy to grow:

Arugula (30), Beets (45), Broccoli (70) Brussels Sprouts (80), Carrots (50), Peas (60), Kale (75), Onions: seeds (125), sets (100), Potatoes: 2-3 eyes (90), Radish (25), Spinach (55).

It Doesn’t Get Easier
Choose a sunny location, sow seeds in loose well drained garden soil as soon as the soil can be worked and let nature take its course. Plant a second crop two weeks after the first for a sustained Spring harvest. We prefer to plant garlic and shallots in the fall, but both do fine as spring crops, so go ahead and plant them too!

Wilkes East Neighborhood newsletter now available for download

Wilkes East Neighborhood, Gresham Oregon USA. Diversity, Harmony, Community - Together we can make a difference!

The Wilkes East Newsletter has arrived. 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 GrantNadaka Update, SOLV Earth Day and Earth Day Recycling Event Apr 21. Click here!<br />
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.

Got Radon? The only way to know your home’s Radon level is to test

Got Radon? The only way to know your home’s Radon level is to test. Info here!

Radon gas occurs naturally.

It is present in nearly all soil and rock; you can't see, smell or taste it - but it's there.

Radon forms when uranium breaks down to radium, which in turn breaks down to form radon. As radon decays, it releases radioactive byproducts that are inhaled. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer after smoking -- and the number one reason why non-smokers die of lung cancer. It's estimated to be responsible for over 21,000 deaths annually in the United States.

Radon enters a home through cracks in walls, basement floors, foundations and other openings. Once inside, radon can become trapped and build up to unsafe levels, especially in areas below ground-level. Nationwide it's estimated that 1 in every 15 homes has elevated radon levels. In the Portland / Vancouver area that number can skyrocket to 1 in 4 homes.

Neighborhood Connections: February 2012

Reynolds School District teachers beg for new blood with next superintendent

Reynolds School District teachers beg for new blood with next superintendent. Story Here!

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).

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