City of Gresham

Suzan Wells, Pres. SWNA outside abandoned QFC store 182nd/Powell. Gresham Outlook

City identifies 181st & Halsey as one of four potential Gresham locations. Five years later, still no 'Big Box' building code for responsible development.

According to a recent City Council report the possibility is real.

At the October 13th 2009 City Council meeting city planners presented a report that acknowledges Gresham's (Oregon's fourth largest city) need for a big-box policy. The report outlined areas of concern; a summary of how similar sized cities address those issues; and how Gresham compares.

Report recommends delay

The report recommends delaying code development saying the retail market has slowed, making another big-box development unlikely anytime soon. Besides, "A big-box store requires eight acres to accommodate parking," said John Pettis, associate comprehensive planner, "there are no vacant properties (in Gresham) that meet that requirement".

Planners did however identify four sites big enough to be redeveloped to accommodate a big-box (bigger than 100,000 sq. ft.); including 181st & Halsey. (See map below for location)

GRDC Advisory Committee agenda: Election of Officers, Rockwood Town Center Access Projects, Plaza del Sol, Storefront Improvement Grants, more.

When: Wednesday Jan 13, 2010 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.

It includes info Election of Officers, Rockwood Town Center Access Projects, Plaza del Sol, Storefront Improvement Grants, 2010 GRDC Work Plan, etc. You will find all of this under "agenda attachments" for the meeting on 1/13.

Community-based urban living in West Gresham's Rockwood triangle. Click to enlarge

Sustainable Cities Year project redefines Rockwood potential. Proximity to Portland and MAX huge factors.

"Rockwood Boulevard combines social and community goals to transform an isolated and distressed site into a vibrant neighborhood. At the heart of the six arce site is a street lined with local business creating an atmosphere bursting with activity and unique flavor."

Six new designs for Rockwood

University of Oregon graduate students involved in the year-long Sustainable Cities Year program presented six new designs for the Rockwood triangle to an enthusiastic audience at the Gresham Redevelopment Commission (GRC) meeting on Dec 9, 2009. The crowd, which divided into three groups for two presentations and a short Q&A every 20 minutes, liked what they saw.

"Community-based urban living supported by a micro economy of local business" dominated the design themes. Students cited the close proximity to downtown Portland and the importance of the adjacent MAX Blue Line as huge factors in their designs, saying Rockwood is positioned to become a vital and thriving area in West Gresham.

Good Idea, Bad Idea? You decide.

Help ensure new and existing developments are more compatible. Read what Gresham citizens had to say on this important issue. Download the report here!

Input summary report now available

A Residential Compatibility "Public Input Summary" that describes community reaction to possible residential compatibility solutions is now available on the project website (click on “Project Documents and Meeting Materials”).

Project website (click on link, or paste in your browser) http://greshamoregon.gov/city/city-departments/planning-services/comprehensive-planning/template.aspx?id=9634.

If you attended the workshops, we encourage you to review the information to ensure participants’ comments are correctly described. New comments also are welcome.

Note: This project has been put on hold and is scheduled to resume in 2010.

What to do with the old Rockwood Fred Meyer site? Click to enlarge

Exciting news for Rockwood! “Sustainable Suburbs” students study Rockwood catalyst site, will present six different approaches to redeveloping the Rockwood Town Center, Dec 9th 7PM

Members of the larger Rockwood Community encouraged to attend!

When: Wednesday, Dec 9, 2009 7PM
Where: Gresham City Hall
Oregon Trail Conference Center
1333 NW Eastman Pky
Get Map!

You are invited!

As part of the University of Oregon’s year-long engagement with the City of Gresham through its Sustainable Cities Year (http://aaa.uoregon.edu/sci/scy/), students from Professor Nico Larco’s Architecture studio “Sustainable Suburbs” have been studying the Rockwood catalyst site at 185th and SE Stark Street and surrounding areas, interviewing local stakeholders, and visualizing the neighborhood’s potential with sustainability in mind. At the December 9th Gresham Redevelopment Commission Advisory Committee meeting, students from the University of Oregon will present six different approaches to redeveloping the Rockwood Town Center.

UPDATED: Recent area changes and photos below.

Members of the larger Rockwood Community are encouraged to attend on December 9th and be a part of what promises to be an interesting and lively discussion.

Nadaka Nature Park

Be Part of the Process. Plan to Attend this Meeting. Nov 19, 2009 7PM St Aidans Church

What: Wilkes East Neighborhood Association (WENA) meeting to discuss expansion of Nadaka Nature Park into 1.9 acres on south edge of Nadaka.

When: Thursday, Nov 19th 7PM
St Aidan's Episcopal Church
NE 174th & NE Glisan
Get Map!

Background

WENA and the Friends of Nadaka have successfully applied for a Metro Nature in Neighborhood capital grant, received a contribution from the East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) and worked with the Trust for Public Land (TPL) and the Nelson Estate to acquire this 1.9 acre parcel. The City of Gresham has not contributed money for this purchase but the property will be owned and maintained by the City of Gresham. This acquisition will become part of Nadaka.

Owens Corning, Gresham plant Click to enlarge

100% Green Energy Use. Gresham facility demonstrates its commitment to sustainabilty.

Gresham Strikes Gold

Owens Corning's Gresham Oregon facility celebrated a golden achievement this Fall by receiving the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for new construction from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) (www.usgbc.org).

The LEED award recognizes superior achievement in design, construction and operation of green buildings. Owens Corning's Gresham plant is the only LEED Gold-certified insulation facility in the United States and one of approximately 203 industrial facilities in the U.S. that have been awarded LEED certification. The Gresham plant began operating in July 2009.

During a ceremony at the plant to celebrate the honor, Karel Czanderna, president of the building materials group, said, "Owens Corning is carrying out our commitment to sustainability today by focusing on three areas: greening our products, greening our operations and accelerating energy efficiency improvements in the built environment. This facility reflects all three components of that approach."

County commissioners approve scaled-down facility, Finding funding for the multi-million dollar project still an issue

Source: The Gresham Outlook, Thursday Oct 1, 2009
By Mara Stine

Rockwood might get their courthouse afterall

By a unanimous vote, Multnomah County commissioners approved moving forward with a plan for a new courthouse in Gresham’s Rockwood area Thursday, Oct. 1.

If built – and it is still an if as the county has yet to approve funding for the $17 million to $21 million project – the courthouse will replace Gresham’s old, single courtroom facility on Powell Boulevard. Get Map!

Because so many citizens signed up to testify – all in favor of the project – the 90-minute hearing ran over and two of the five commissioners had to leave for scheduled engagements before voting. But commissioners Jeff Cogen and Deborah Kafoury voiced support for the resolution before leaving.

Help ensure new and existing developments are more compatible Join the Residential Compatibility discussion! City Hall, Tuesday Oct 20th 6:30PM

When: Tuesday, Oct 20, 2009 6:30PM
Where: Gresham City Hall
Conference Center
1333 NW Eastman Pky
Get Map!

Residential Compatibility Workshop

The City of Gresham would like your help in ensuring new development and existing development are more compatible with each other.

Please come to this workshop to discuss alternative ways to address issues raised in the Residential Districts Review – Compatibility project.

Alternatives will be presented on the following issues:

• Transitions (commercial or apartments next to single-family)
• Buffers and screening between developments
• Flag lots (homes behind other homes)
• Height and bulk of new homes
• How small-lot subdivisions are reviewed
• Quality/appearance of fences along streets

Coalition of Gresham Neighborhood Associations Board Meeting Tuesday Oct 13, 2009 7:00PM

When: Tuesday Oct 13, 2009 7:00PM
Where: Gresham City Hall, Springwater Trail Room
1333 NW Eastman Pky
Get Map!

The Coalition of Gresham Neighborhood Associations next meeting will be Tuesday Oct 13, 2009 7:00PM in the Springwater Trail Room, Gresham City Hall, 1333 NW Eastman Parkway, Gresham, OR 97030.

Public welcome