Community

Do We Really Need This Fountain? When: Tue Apr 3, 2012 6:00PM Where: Gresham City Hall Council Chambers 1333 NE Eastman Pky Gresham, OR Get Map!

$1.5 million Children's Fountain Loan Application
A couple of weeks ago, the City of Gresham posted an obscure 24-page document titled "Five Year FY 2011-2016 Consolidated Plan Amendment / Amendment to the One Year Action Plan 2011-2012" on the City's "Children's Fountain" webpage (http://greshamoregon.gov/city/) by following the Read More link. The key part of this lengthy HUD (US Department of Housing and Urban Development) application document is on the back page, where it says that the City "intends to utilize HUD Section 108 Loan Guarantee assistance to create a Section 108 Loan Pool" and that the City "intends to apply for a Section 108 Guaranteed Loan in 2011-2012 to develop a Children's Fountain in Gresham's downtown......for $1.5 million to aid in the elimiation of slum and blight in downtown Gresham."

It turns out that the City intends to pay back the loan ($110,000/yr. for 20 yrs.) from it's annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds (currently $900,000) from HUD. These CDBG funds typically pay for things like affordable housing and public improvements in qualified neighborhoods.

At a recent Community Development & Housing Subcommittee meeting committee members questioned:

• why the City was building a fountain at this time,
• whether the fountain would really bring more shoppers to downtown,
• how downtown qualified for a Section 108 loan,
• why the fountain costs $1.5 million,
• what would happen if HUD again cut the City's CDBG funds & the City couldn't repay the loan with them,
• what the annual maintenance costs for the fountain (not part of grant) would be.

You'll find the City's 2-page Children's Fountain project flyer here. You can find a 5-page Case Studies of other such fountains (Jamison Square-Portland, Lake Oswego, Beaverton and Maryland) compiled by City staff here. We encourage neighbors to take a few moments to review these documents. Written public comment due no later than 4:30pm Tuesday, April 3, 2012.

(Click 'Read More' link below for more details and project concerns.)

Lincoln. Click to enlarge

Have you seen me? My name is Lincoln and I'm lost I need your help to find my way home

My Family Misses Me
Looking for “Lincoln” or any information that may bring him home.
Long hair, Siamese, Blue eyes, Brown hair on body, he needs medication twice a day. He is very friendly, very loved, and very missed. Lincoln is 10 years old and is 'micro chipped'. REWARD FOR HIS SAFE RETURN.

PDX Seasonal Traffic Flow Change Ahead

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.

When: Wed Mar 21, 2012 1-2PM Where: Rosewood Cafe 609 SE 162nd Av Portland, OR Get Map!

The Rosewood Initiative monthly community meeting is Mar 21st from 1-2pm at Rosewood Cafe, 609 SE 162nd Ave. Everyone's invited to attend.

Here's what's on the agenda

• Public safety, what's going on with all the police in our area? Neighborhood Response Team, Special Enforcement Team, Gang Enforcement Team, gang outreach and partnership work between Portland and Gresham Police across the 162nd divide.
• Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative partnership with Portland Development Commission- our vision for the Rosewood neighborhood and 10 years of support from PDC!
• Rosewood Cafe- really, when are we going to start construction?? and we got a piano!
• Youth activities- Youth Night, possibility for open gym at Oliver Elementary, Backpack Project partnership with Oliver and Parklane Elementary Schools and local churches, connecting Lewis and Clark college students with Centennial Learning Center HS students for college readiness mentoring
• Bike fair in May?
• Mural project on the 76 Gas Station for summer 2012?
• April 14th celebration of partnerships
• Funding...a quick summary

It sounds like a lot, but these are going to be quick updates because we want to make sure you all connect with one another on the work that's happening.

Of course, you can always check rosewoodinitiative.org to keep updated, but there is nothing like coming out and taking part in this!

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.

The Great Conjunction March 2012: Jupiter, Moon, Venus MHCC Planetarium website

Mars and Venus at Their Best When: Mon Mar 5, 2012 Show Times: 7:00PM and 8:15PM Where: Mt Hood Community College Planetarium Sky Theater 26000 SE Stark St Gresham, OR Get Map!

Admission $2. MHCC students are admitted free.
The Sky Theater is wheelchair accessible.

Mars and Venus at Their Best & Spring Sky Highlights
If you enjoy gazing at the night sky, it’s a “planet-a-palooza” this spring at the Mt. Hood College (MHCC) Planetarium.

“Mars and Venus will be at their brightest this spring and all of the other classical planets can be easily found in the night sky,” says Pat Hanrahan, Planetarium director.

“It is a rare time that we can see so many of our planets in the same night sky,” adds Hanrahan. “Even the shy planet Mercury will be visible shortly after sunset. In late spring, we will see the rare Transit of Venus. If you miss this event, you will have to wait another 105 years before it will be visible again.”

All shows are presented under a realistic representation of the night sky, featuring the latest galactic, stellar and planetary images.

Visitors are encouraged to ask questions during each 45-minute program. Children are welcome to attend.

Board Meeting, Public Welcome 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.

Public Invited to Attend 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

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
• Get email updates by sending a request to eastmetroconnections@oregonmetro.gov
• Request a briefing for your neighborhood association or local event
• Come to a steering committee meeting share your comments; their next meeting is on March 14 from 2-4PM at East Hill Church (see above)