According to the Portland Tribune, a new housing project will break ground next year just south of the King Neighborhood on NE Cook and Martin Luther King. The development will feature ground floor retail, LEED certification, and serve residents earning 30, 50, and 60 percent of median area income.
The Portland Development Commission (PDC) will have funds available in fiscal year 2011-12 for community livability projects in the Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal Area (ICURA). PDC’s Community Livability Grant Program began in the Interstate Corridor URA in 2006 and expanded to the Lents Town Center URA in 2010. The program has awarded nearly $2 million to more than three dozen projects that improve livability for residents and enhance the unique nature of the Interstate Corridor and Lents Town Center neighborhoods.
For the Interstate Corridor URA Map, click here.
Up to $300,000 in Community Livability grants will be awarded in the coming fiscal year in each of the two urban renewal areas. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, neighborhood and business associations and neighborhood groups.
Individuals or groups interested in submitting an application are strongly encouraged to learn more about project eligibility, completing the application, and the evaluation and selection process by attending an information workshop. For ICURA: Thursday, April 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Legacy Emanuel Hospital, 2801 N. Gantenbien, Room 1075 in the East Wing.
The grants support a wide variety of community benefits: historic preservation, open spaces and gardens, community and cultural centers, social services, jobs training, and the growth of local businesses. The work is not always visible, but investment supports each organization’s ability to benefit the community.
Grant applications are due to PDC by Monday, May 10 at 5 p.m. Applications will be reviewed by Community Livability Committees for each urban renewal area, which will make recommendations back to PDC. Decisions will be announced by Thursday, June 30, and projects can begin as soon as the grantees have formalized a Letter of Agreement with PDC.
Since 2006, PDC has awarded approximately $1.8 million in Community Livability Grants, ranging from $5,000 to more than $100,000. Projects receiving awards have included:
• Green/energy efficient upgrades to a historic building
• Preservation of historic assets: Kenton’s Paul Bunyan statue; Historic Columbian Cemetery
• Improvements to small community open space and community fruit garden
• Added outdoor performance space
• Exterior improvements to a music center
• A wheelchair ramp for a community medical center
• New shade trees and benches at Humboldt School
• Heating, electrical upgrade, and doors for a new art center in Kenton
• Exterior building improvements for a community center in Boise
• A new furnace and energy efficient improvements for a child care center
• Historic building improvements, including acoustic upgrades, new solar power and sustainable storm water runoff
Details about the grant program, highlights of two recent projects and a downloadable application are available at: www.pdc.us/clg, or contact Susan Kuhn at kuhns@pdc.us; 503-823-3406 (Interstate Corridor URA).
Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives (PCRI), in conjunction with our Minority Homeowner Assistance Collaborative (MHAC) partners, is hosting a forum Tuesday, March 15, 2011 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. to address the challenges African-American seniors are facing to maintain homeownership.
The evening forum is an opportunity for Portland seniors to discuss the challenges they are facing—financial and otherwise. Just as important, it is an opportunity for PCRI and our community partners to connect with seniors to brainstorm solutions that will provide the assistance necessary to overcome these challenges.
PCRI and other MHAC partners will be available during the forum to answer questions and provide information about our free homeownership retention program. The program is available to assist Portland seniors with experienced, culturally-specific services including one-on-one counseling, individualized coaching and advocacy, connections with community services and direct financial assistance.
The forum will be held at Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME), 4134 N Vancouver Avenue at Skidmore in Portland. For more information, individuals can contact Homeownership Retention Coordinator Shalonda Menefee at 503-288-2923.
Portlanders have an opportunity to shape the City’s strategies for the future at the upcoming Portland Plan Fairs.
The Portland Plan Fairs will offer residents a range of experiences and opportunities to learn about and comment on three integrated strategies and an Equity Initiative. In addition to breakout discussions for each one, the fairs will feature local food, music, booths, presentations, and community exhibitors. Childcare will be provided at all locations.
The Portland Plan is a long-range plan for the city’s future, ensuring that Portland is a thriving and sustainable city, with health and opportunity for all. Portlanders say that equity, living wage jobs, student success and a healthy environment are their top concerns. In response to this community input, the Portland Plan combines these priorities with extensive research and national best practices to develop an overarching Equity Initiative and three draft strategies for Portland’s future:
1. Education
2. Economic Prosperity and Affordability
3. Healthy Connected Neighborhoods
The Portland Plan Fair–North
Thursday, March 10, 6:30 – 9 p.m.
De La Salle North Catholic High School
7528 N Fenwick Avenue
TriMet #4, #6, #75; MAX Yellow
En Espanol, tambien!
Community public engagement is especially critical at this point in the Portland Plan process. After the fairs and follow-up outreach efforts, the draft strategies will be revised based on input from the community, Portland Plan partners and national experts. These revised strategies will be the core of the City’s strategic plan, which will be available for comment and review this summer and will be presented to the Planning and Sustainability Commission this fall.
About the Portland Plan
The Portland Plan will be a 25-year strategic plan for the City, and the direction it sets will touch every neighborhood, district and resident of Portland as it grows. The plan will help to define priorities, guide investment of public dollars and set the course for Portland for the next quarter of a century. For more information or to fill out a survey please go to: www.pdxplan.com
Join your neighbors and talk to the experts about how to spend less and stay healthy!
The Fix-It Fairs are free events designed to save you money and connect you to resources. Fix-It Fairs occur seasonally, on three Saturday mornings during the winter (between November and February) from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at various locations around Portland.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Jefferson High School
5210 N Kerby Avenue
8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Note: Entrance is on Kerby Avenue
What you’ll find at a Fix-It Fair
Ongoing exhibits & hourly workshops on such topics as:
Water and energy savings
Safe and healthy home
Food and nutrition
Neighborhood and community resources
Recycling
Weatherizing your home
Gardening and growing your own food
Yard care and composting
Transportation
Plus
Free lead blood testing
Free giveaways
Hourly door prizes
Free professional childcare
Free lunch
Free minor bike tune-ups and flat tire repair for students and families
For more information or to receive email notification for future Fairs: 503-823-4309, fixitfair@portlandoregon.gov.