Rockwood

Volunteers paint the plaza Click to enlarge

Splashes of Color mark a new beginning! Plaza del Sol comes to the Rockwood Cultural Marketplace

Rockwood, Sep 19, 2009
When Rockwood coverage happens its commonly due to negative events. So, we felt it was very important to share an amazing community building event that took place today in Rockwood.

Welcome Rockwood's Plaza Del Sol painting!

Plaza del Sol is one of several new interim uses being sited by the Gresham Redevelopment Commission on the Cultural Marketplace (former Fred Meyer store) property in Rockwood at SE 187th & SE Stark St. Get Map!

The plaza is the first piece of a recently approved interim use plan for the Rockwood Cultural Marketplace to transform the site with new sidewalks, paths, benches, a wildflower garden, play area, basketball courts, a food-cart area, and many other family friendly activities.

Using supplies donated by Parr Lumber and Miller Paint, volunteers worked throughout the day to paint the huge 13,000-square-foot “Plaza del Sol,” a colorful scale model of the solar system on the Southeast corner of the site.

Click here for details!

Put on your painting clothes! Come Help Paint Plaza del Sol at the Rockwood Cultural Marketplace (187th & Stark) Friday, Sep 18th 2009

Come for an hour, or come for the day!

When: Friday, Sep 18, 2009 9:30AM-6PM
Where: Rockwood Cultural Marketplace
(former Fred Meyer site)
SE 187th & SE Stark St
Gresham, OR
Get Map!

Help us paint the Plaza!

Plaza del Sol is one of several new interim uses being sited by the Gresham Redevelopment Commission on the Cultural Marketplace (former Fred Meyer store) property in Rockwood.

Volunteers are needed to help paint the “Plaza del Sol,” a scale model of the solar system. Come for an hour or come for the day! Wear casual clothes if you want to paint.

Food and refreshments will be provided for volunteers. Pastries by La Mexicana Market, burritos by Don Pedro, and coffee and hot chocolate by Dutch Bros Coffee. Supplies donated by Parr Lumber and Miller Paint.

Rockwood Fred Meyer (demolished), 185th & SE Stark. Click to enlarge.

Once the 'heart' of a thriving middle-class community, Rockwood continues to remain on life-support

UPDATE: Jan 2013

Ask anyone in East County to describe Rockwood and you're likely to hear them say "slum", "trouble", or simply "stay away".

From everything to nothing
Not long ago -- or so it seems, Rockwood was a vibrant community, serving the regional needs of folks living in unincorporated East Multnomah County between the cities of Portland and Gresham. Whatever your need, Rockwood had it: grocerers, retailers, furniture, fast-food & restaurants, services, medical and more. Rockwood was buzzing with activity.

Those days are gone along with businesses like Fred Meyer, GI Joes, Girrods, Star Furniture, Rockwood Lanes, Fred's Travelrama, the laundromat, the urgent-care, Burger King, KFC, Dairy Queen, Winchell's, Skippers, and countless others.

Ignored for years by local government, Rockwood has been in decline for decades. Crime-infested, and poverty-sticken. Today Rockwood is fighting for its very survival.

The debacle continues. Budget overruns, poor leadership, and tough economy plague chronically delayed project in Rockwood.

Source: The Oregonian, Tuesday May 12, 2009
by Nikole Hannah-Jones

Stalled for decades, project now lacks support

Multnomah County Commissioner Diane McKeel told a crowd gathered to fight for a East County justice center in Rockwood that there's not enough board support to build the long-delayed courthouse project anywhere in Gresham because of the economy. The community should stop fighting for location and push commissioners to support building it at all, she said. Editor: Contact the commissioners here.

McKeel, County Chairman Ted Wheeler, Sheriff Bob Skipper, Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis and District Attorney Mike Schrunk sat with a panel of other government officials at a forum Tuesday night where community members were to urge the county board to reconsider building the beleagured project in Rockwood.

Original plans called for a justice center to be built in Rockwood, which has been plagued by crime and disinvestment. But Wheeler proposed the project, which has been stalled for decades, be moved to downtown Gresham because it would save about $7 million.

Multnomah County reconsiders project. What's next for the Rockwood Bowling alley?

When: Wednesday Apr 1, 2009 7:30AM - 9:00AM
Where: Rockwood Community Office
18709 SE Stark St
Gresham OR

County changes direction on project

Multnomah County was scheduled to build a full service Justice Facility, including courthouses, community space, sheriff's office and other facilities in Rockwood. The Rockwood Bowling alley at 187th & SE Stark St was purchased for this project. Multnomah County has reconsidered this project, and is planning on building courthouses in downtown Gresham instead.

What's next for the Rockwood Bowling property?

Join us April 1st, 7:30AM for this lively discussion!

Presenters

• Diane McKeel
  Multnomah County Commissioner, and staff
• Alice Rouyer
  Rockwood Urban Renewal Manager

Sponsored by the Rockwood Business Coalition. Visit us on the web at rockwoodbusinesscoalition.org, or phone us at (503) 665-9093.

Related Content

• Courthouse proposed for downtown Gresham.
  Justice Center plan scaled back.
  The Gresham Outlook, Feb 6, 2009

PLEASE CLICK HERE. VOTE FOR PARK PLACE COFFEE. Voting ends April 24th

HELP THEM WIN A SMALL BUSINESS GRANT & KEEP PARK PLACE COFFEE IN BUSINESS!

A plea from Park Place Coffee's owner:

"I'd like to ask for your help in helping me win a business grant for the cafe. As you may know, I'm looking at closing at the end of the lease unless something changes monetarily. THIS COULD BE IT! I've applied for a business grant, and the winner will be partially determined by the number of votes my submittal receives. Anywhere from $10-25,000. There are so many more things Park Place Coffee can do for the community if I could get this business grant."

How you can help

"When you click on the link above, it will take you to the contest page and my submittal."

"At the bottom it will ask if you find the story INSPIRATIONAL/USEFUL. When you choose one, it will ask you to register by setting up an identity. (It is their way of making sure all votes are valid. This contest is through INTUIT - the makers of Quickbooks and TurboTax - not a fly-by-night.). I know sometimes people are wary of registering, but the process doesn't require much information and it could make a HUGE DIFFERENCE!"

"PLEASE take the time to vote and possibly keep Park Place Coffee in the Rockwood community -- and please ask everyone you know to vote too! I suggest you vote for the CATEGORY: Inspirational and Useful."

Dina DiNucci
parkplacecoffee.com

PLEASE CLICK HERE. VOTE FOR PARK PLACE COFFEE. HELP THEM WIN A SMALL BUSINESS GRANT & KEEP PARK PLACE COFFEE IN BUSINESS!

Recently seen in The Oregonian:

Rockwood coffee shop about more than profit
by Melody Finnemore
Special to The Oregonian Thursday November 20, 2008

Local Businesses, You're Invited! "Meet & Greet" Open House Wed Mar 11th 5:30PM - 6:30PM Park Place Coffee, 1288 SE 182nd

When: Wednesday Mar 11, 2009 5:30PM-6:30PM
Where: Park Place Coffee
1288 SE 182nd Ave
Gresham OR

Stop in and meet your fellow business people during this casual hour-long Meet & Greet hosted by Park Place Coffee!

Light hors'deuvres & door prizes!

Once we get to know each other, who knows what we can accomplish to support our businesses? Now is the time our voice can make a difference for you economically, politically, and for your future!

Sponsored by the Rockwood Business Coalition. Visit us on the web at rockwoodbusinesscoalition.org, or phone us at (503) 665-9093.

All Rockwood area business urged to attend

When: Wednesday, Nov 5, 2008 7:30AM - 9:00AM
Where: Rockwood Community Office
18709 SE Stark St
Gresham OR

The next Rockwood Business Coalition meeting will be held on Wednesday, Nov 5, 2008 7:30AM - 9:00AM. I know it is one day after elections, but don't forget this important day! See you at the Rockwood Community Office, 18709 SE Stark.

Agenda

• Call to Order, Introductions
• Approval of Minutes
• Update on New Human Solutions Building
  181st and Couch
  Jean DeMaster, Director
• Rockwood Enterprise Zone - how it benefits local businesses
  Shannon Lopez
  City of Gresham
• Rockwood Business Survey Update
• Updates and Community News

Creating a unified voice for political, economic, and social issues for Rockwood businesses

PRESS RELEASE

September 24, 2008

Rockwood businesses urged to use their voice for change

All Rockwood businesses are being asked to speak out about their interests and concerns through a survey specifically targeted to doing business in Rockwood. The information from Rockwood businesses will be used to develop strategies to advocate for action on issues within the community, and to capitalize on the assets of being located within these boundaries. The Rockwood Business Coalition (RBC) is spearheading this effort.