Schools

NE 172nd Avenue at NE Clackamas St, Gresham, Oregon

By Sheena Raab
Wilkes East Resident

Neighbors have been increasingly aware of the on-going high speed traffic on NE 172nd Avenue, as well as cars cutting through cross streets such as Wasco, Pacific, and Oregon. In the past, efforts have been made by past WENA councils to address the issues with the City of Gresham. Traffic measures have been put into place such as the speed advisory signs that flash during school hours. The fact remains that many of us, including myself, are concerned for pedestrian safety in our neighborhood, especially after a sedan crashed into the school yard of H.B. Lee Middle School this past fall.

On January 10, 2021, Chris Strong, Transportation Manager of the City of Gresham and Stacy Talus, Vice Principal of H.B. Lee Middle School joined the WENA board meeting to discuss concerns and options. Mr. Strong advised those present that more information would need to be gathered and a discussion would need to be opened with the Fire Department and City Emergency Services which use NE 172nd as an emergency route for call outs. He stated he would have his team collect traffic data to determine the average speed on the street to see if the current situation would meet the criteria for consideration to install any additional traffic calming measures, such as speed humps.

We are hopeful that Mr. Strong will be able to provide an updated report on his team’s findings and advise us of the next steps our community can take.

Please join us for our March Neighborhood Association Meeting to continue the discussion on our shared concerns and possible solutions.

NE 172nd Ave Summary Comparison courtesy of the City of Gresham,Transportation Division:

Spring 2022 Newsletter "Diversity, Harmony, Community - Together 'WE' can make a difference!”

Read it now!

Spring 2022 Newsletter Inside This Issue: Speeding on NE 172nd Ave Meet Gresham’s City Manager Wilkes East Land-Use Update Proposed Urban Renewal Extension Gresham Charter Review Committee

Download your copy here. (includes active web 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 3 times per year, timed to correspond with our general meetings.

View archive   |   Policy & Ad Rates

2020 Fall Newsletter "Diversity, Harmony, Community - Together 'WE' can make a difference!”

Read it now!

Fall 2020 Newsletter Inside This Issue: Virtual School Challenges WENA Board Elections Nov 9th Wilkes East Land-Use Update Holiday Gatherings & Covid-19 Online Scammers; Elder Fraud Tips to Prepare For Winter

Download your copy here. (includes active web 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 3 times per year, timed to correspond with our regular meetings.

View archive   |   Policy & Ad Rates

Metro's proposed Clackamas to Columbia River connector will impact school zones and pedestrian traffic on Northeast 181st Avenue

By Mike Elston, President
North Gresham Neighborhood Association

As President of the North Gresham Neighborhood Association, I'm informed about development plans that impact our neighborhood. Recently I became aware of a Metro proposal that'll increase traffic from Clackamas to the Columbia River ("C2C"), largely by routing it down Northeast 181st /182nd. Although the scheme has apparently been in development for years, Metro and the city of Gresham are only now involving North Gresham citizens — at a point where it's nearly a done-deal.

We have a number of concerns about C2C we feel aren't being heard by Metro. We strongly believe this will have the effect of transforming 181st /182nd into another 82nd Avenue. It will certainly increase traffic, which is already a nightmare during rush hour. That, in turn, will negatively impact the three schools along its proposed route as well as pedestrian access to the MAX and to our area's one grocery store.

We're at a loss to understand how this benefits North Gresham (and maybe that's why we weren't informed about the plan until it was too late to have much impact). Metro claims it'll provide jobs, but they're temporary employment during construction and not permanent.

In our view, this only benefits the higher-income residents of Happy Valley at the expense of Gresham's north-end, lower-income neighborhoods.

Funding for the C2C would be provided by the passage of Metro bond measure M 26-218 in November, and our only chance to delay C2C and permit more time for citizen feedback is for the measure to fail.

We therefore, ask for your help. Join us in voting NO on Measure 26-218, November 3, 2020.

Let's Kick Ball! When: Wed, Sep 04, 2019 4:30PM-7:30PM Where: Vance Park 1400 SE 182nd Ave. Get Map!

Middle school and high school youth and adults can attend the free Open Play Outdoor Futsal every Monday and Wednesday from 4:30 - 7:30 pm at the Vance Park futsal courts, located at 1400 SE 182nd Ave.

• Open to youth in grades 6 - 12 and adults
• Play futsal for free, make new friends and win raffle items each time you play
• Sponsored by the City of Gresham

Schedule:

• 4:30 - 6:00 pm for youth in grades 6 - 12
• 6:00 - 7:30 pm - for Adults

For more information please contact Jesus Valdez at Jesus.Valdez@GreshamOregon.gov or Ricki Ruiz at Ricardo.Ruiz@GreshamOregon.gov or 503-618-2213.

Free, Drop-in Soccer Program When: Fri, Apr 12, 2019 4PM-6PM Where: Eastside Timbers and Thorns Soccer Complex 4710 SE 174th Ave. Get Map!

The City offers a free, drop-in soccer program for youth on Fridays from 4:00-6:00 pm at the Eastside Timbers and Thorns Soccer Complex.

Details

• Open to all individuals in grades 6-12 and participants over the age of 18
• Meet new friends, play soccer and showcase your skills
• Participants must bring a signed waiver to play
• Games are played in turf fields
• Must have appropriate shoes to play
• No metal cleats allowed
• Adult supervision provided by City of Gresham

This event is sponsored by the City of Gresham.

Read more about community Friday night soccer.

For more information, contact Ricki Ruiz at 503-583-0771 or Ricardo.Ruiz@GreshamOregon.gov.

Let's Hoop It Up! When: Fri, Apr 12, 2019 6PM-10PM Where: H.B. Lee Middle School 1121 NE 172nd Ave. Get Map!

Middle school and high school youth can attend free basketball practice, skill building and game play on Friday nights at H.B. Lee Middle School, 1121 NE 172nd Ave.

• Open to boys and girls in grades 6-12
• Learn new skills, make new friends, play basketball.
• Adult supervision and mentorship provided by the Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center (POIC).
• Sponsored by the City of Gresham.

Schedule

• 6:00 - 8:00 pm for grades 6-8
• 8:00 - 10:00 pm for grades 9-12

Registration form

For more information, visit our basketball page or contact Coach Michael Magnum at 503-975-2929.

Let's Hoop It Up! When: Fri, Apr 19, 2019 6PM-10PM Where: H.B. Lee Middle School 1121 NE 172nd Ave. Get Map!

Middle school and high school youth can attend free basketball practice, skill building and game play on Friday nights at H.B. Lee Middle School, 1121 NE 172nd Ave.

• Open to boys and girls in grades 6-12
• Learn new skills, make new friends, play basketball.
• Adult supervision and mentorship provided by the Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center (POIC).
• Sponsored by the City of Gresham.

Schedule

• 6:00 - 8:00 pm for grades 6-8
• 8:00 - 10:00 pm for grades 9-12

Registration form

For more information, visit our basketball page or contact Coach Michael Magnum at 503-975-2929.

Free, Drop-in Soccer Program When: Fri, Apr 19, 2019 4PM-6PM Where: Eastside Timbers and Thorns Soccer Complex 4710 SE 174th Ave. Get Map!

The City offers a free, drop-in soccer program for youth on Fridays from 4:00-6:00 pm at the Eastside Timbers and Thorns Soccer Complex.

Details

• Open to all individuals in grades 6-12 and participants over the age of 18
• Meet new friends, play soccer and showcase your skills
• Participants must bring a signed waiver to play
• Games are played in turf fields
• Must have appropriate shoes to play
• No metal cleats allowed
• Adult supervision provided by City of Gresham

This event is sponsored by the City of Gresham.

Read more about community Friday night soccer.

For more information, contact Ricki Ruiz at 503-583-0771 or Ricardo.Ruiz@GreshamOregon.gov.

Let's Hoop It Up! When: Fri, Apr 26, 2019 6PM-10PM Where: H.B. Lee Middle School 1121 NE 172nd Ave. Get Map!

Middle school and high school youth can attend free basketball practice, skill building and game play on Friday nights at H.B. Lee Middle School, 1121 NE 172nd Ave.

• Open to boys and girls in grades 6-12
• Learn new skills, make new friends, play basketball.
• Adult supervision and mentorship provided by the Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center (POIC).
• Sponsored by the City of Gresham.

Schedule

• 6:00 - 8:00 pm for grades 6-8
• 8:00 - 10:00 pm for grades 9-12

Registration form

For more information, visit our basketball page or contact Coach Michael Magnum at 503-975-2929.