KNA March Agenda

King Neighborhood – Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 13, 2013 6:30pm
at the office of the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods
4815 NE 7th Avenue, Portland, OR

Agenda

6:30 Introductions, approval of agenda and minutes

6:45 PreServe – Discussion to gather input from older African Americans living in King on their health concerns, neighborhood barriers that keep them from being healthy, and ideas for community-based activities that promote health and reduce barriers to health.

7:00 PDC – Representatives of the Portland Development Commission will be on hand to discuss the latest projects occurring in our neighborhood, including a proposal for development at Alberta & MLK, and how the community can engage and be involved in conversation on current and future projects.

March 31st Egg Hunt, Two Plum Park. Vote to have it be a KNA sponsored event and looking for volunteers.

8:00 Adjourn

Alberta Main Street News

From Alberta Main Street:

Alberta Main Street Demonstrates Results

We are pleased to report some of the accomplishments we’ve achieved working together with our businesses, commercial property owners, community partners and local residents over the past fiscal year. We have many reasons to celebrate but still have more work to do. As we launch our annual fundraising campaign, we hope you will support our efforts!
July 2011 – June 2012 Accomplishment Highlights
-New Jobs: Net increase of 75.5 new jobs created on NE Alberta Street.
-New Business: Net increase of 8 new businesses between NE 10th – 31st Ave.
-Increased Revenue: 80% of Alberta Street businesses with comparison data reported increased revenue from 2010 to 2011.
-Low Vacancy Rate: Alberta Street’s commercial vacancy rate is 4.6%, well below the Portland regional average of 7%.
-Community Investment: Volunteers contributed over 2400 hours of their time and talent. Based on the Independent Sector’s value of volunteer time this equates to a cash equivalent investment of $53,832.

Read more…

Alberta Main Street provides the organizational infrastructure to lead Alberta Street. As an independent non-profit organization, the majority of our funding is generated from contributions from people like you; people with a stake in developing and maintaining a healthy and vibrant Alberta Street.
Please help us start this year strong and invest in Alberta Main Street. Your contribution to Alberta Main Street is tax deductible and we thank you in advance for your support!
Support Alberta Main Street Today!


Trick or Treat Alberta Street!
Come trick or treat with us this Halloween from 3 – 6PM on Halloween. Look for the “Trick or Treat Here” sign in the window at participating Alberta Street businesses.
The first 100 kids to visit Umpqua Bank Alberta will receive a reusable trick or treat bag. More info….

Support microenterprise development with a $3.50 lunch purchase

From Hacienda CDC:

Farmers market patrons can feel good about supporting not only a local business, but a local economic development initiative by simply purchasing a lunch this summer. Beginning in May, Hacienda Community Development Corporation (CDC) will publicly launch the new Latino Food Vendor Incubator project, a social enterprise supporting micro-business development for low-income Latinos. Aspiring microentrepreneurs will gain practical experience and financial support through catering sales and at local farmers markets, while simultaneously receiving training in a classroom setting.

“My children inspire me to be successful despite a number of obstacles, so here I am fighting,” says Irma Orduña, a participant of the program. “My dream is to open my own restaurant called El Ranchito, and that seems within reach now.”
The Incubator project, popularly known as Micro Mercantes, has roots as an informal cooperative of Latino tamale vendors. However, a high demand for culturally specific training opportunities, as well as a large market for local food in Portland has led Hacienda CDC to restructure the program to serve more entrepreneurs. Participants will now follow a structured three-year curriculum and culminate in the soft-launch of their own business. This model opens the program up to a stream of participants instead of serving a static group.

The initial launch of the Latino Food Vendor Incubator project is supported by a three-year grant from M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, with the vision of becoming a self-sustaining program by the conclusion of the grant. The first class includes four tamaleros, or tamale vendors, and one Colombian arepa vendor. Beginning Saturday, May 5, Inocencia and her brother José will serve tamales from a recipe out of Puebla. Find them in Hollywood Farmers Market (4420 Northeast Hancock Street, Portland, OR 97213). Beginning Sunday, May 6, Fernando and his wife Elizabeth will work the King Farmers Market (4815 Northeast 7th Ave) dishing out savory Colombian arepas. Beginning Saturday, June 2, find Paula at the St. Johns Farmers Market (N Lombard & N Philadelphia) serving a variety of tamales oaxaqueñas. Beginning Sunday, June 3, Graciela and her daughter-in-law Maria will be at the Montavilla Farmers Market (7600 Block SE Stark St.) serving another version of tamales from Puebla. Beginning Tuesday, June 5, find Irma and her daughter Lupe at the Oregon Health & Science University Farmers Market (700 SW Campus Dr) serving tamales. Do not miss her famous tomatillo salsa, another recipe from Puebla, Mexico.

Hacienda CDC develops affordable housing and builds thriving communities in support of working Latino families and others in Oregon by promoting healthy living and economic advancement. For more information, visit www.haciendacdc.org

Fire at Old Town Pizza to keep Vanport Square spokesman from meeting on 7-Eleven

Due to the fire that broke out this morning at Old Town Pizza at Vanport Square, owner Adam Milne will not be able to attend tonight’s KNA meeting to express the Vanport Square Owner’s Association’s opposition to 7 Eleven’s plans to build across the street from the development. Another member is being sought to come in his place but no one is yet confirmed. Mr. Milne released the following letter to express the Vanport Owners’ position on the issue:

March 14, 2012

Dear King Neighborhood Association,

The Board of the Vanport Square Owners’ Association would like to officially express our opposition to 7-Eleven moving in across the street. A 7-Eleven next door does not support our hopes of fostering and supporting small local business, nor do we believe it adds value to our emerging neighborhood.

The owners of Vanport Square have invested our careers and savings to fulfill the vision outlined in the King Neighborhood Strategy developed by the King Neighborhood Association and PDC, dated April 28, 2000. This strategy and vision are what brought our small businesses into Vanport Square. We believe allowing 7-Eleven into our neighborhood does not support the plan and will hinder development and harm the fabric of our small business community.

Sincerely,
Vanport Square Owners’ Association

Land Use Committee Discusses New Seasons Development

Discussion of parking, traffic and design issues of the next New Seasons store to be built just outside of King in the Eliot neighborhood was a main topic at the last Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods land use and transportation committee meeting. Also discussed: the Urban Food Zoning Code, Portland Plan, and Columbia River Crossing. Read the discussion via the draft February minutes below or on the NECN Website:

 

 

Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods

Land Use and Transportation Committee

Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 7:00pm

Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods Office

 

DRAFT MINUTES

 

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