Category Archives: Uncategorized

PCRI Adds Neighbor Comment Form to Website

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Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, is a housing provider in King that became a hot topic for neighbors after a series of livability concerns this summer. PCRI has added an online reporting form to its website to permit it to keep informed of concerns of the increasing number of computer-literate residents. The form is at: http://www.pcrihome.org/contact_us.php

After the issues with PCRI managment were outlined in our blog, PCRI’s executive director, board members, and staff came to the KNA November meeting and pledged better cooperation and more open communication. At the December 8th meeting, PCRI’s Cyndi Natalello, Manager of Property Management, told KNA about the new tool for residents to keep on top of any problems.

Vanport Housing Project to Go Forward

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In February of 2010, PDC staff received a proposal from Lisac Brothers Construction, Inc. to develop ten single-family, market-rate homes on the Vanport Phase II site. In June of this year, PDC’s Investment Committee gave staff authorization to begin negotiations with Lisac Brothers Construction, Inc. for the disposition and development of the Vanport Phase II housing project.

The development team of Lisac Brothers Construction, Inc. will retain the Vanport Partners as consultants, with their involvement in the project ending at the start of construction. Once securing control of the land, Lisac Brothers Construction, Inc. would begin the site subdivision process which is estimated to take nine months. While the site subdivision is moving forward, Lisac Brothers Construction, Inc. would simultaneously pursue design and permitting. Lisac Brothers Construction, Inc. estimates construction could begin 12 to 18 months after execution of a development agreement with PDC and completion of all housing units 12 to 36 months after start of construction.

Lisac Brothers Construction, Inc. is a small builder/developer that developed affordable, market-rate, in-fill projects in Portland. Irving Park Townhouses on NE 7th is one example. Lisac Brothers Construction, Inc. is confident that it can obtain construction financing for the proposed project and has submitted a letter of interest from Lewis & Clark Bank to support this.

The development team is proposing to build ten (10) detached, market-rate homes averaging 1,300 sf on separate lots. The homes would be three levels, with the ground level primarily devoted to a garage that would be accessed from the rear through the Vanport Phase I parking lot or in the case of the end units, NE Emerson and NE Sumner. The sales price per unit is estimated to be between $245,000 and $265,000.

PDC Report: Vanport Housing

“Light Bulb Lady” to Give Presentation

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From Solar Oregon:

“Change a light bulb, Change your life”

So says Kay Newell, known around Portland as ‘The Light Bulb Lady.’ Come learn from the master about lighting options. Bring your questions for this interactive, hands-on presentation. Kay will also have with her samples of LED holiday lighting.

So come and let Kay light up your life a bit!

The meeting will be December 15th from 6:30-8:00 PM in the Basement Lecture Room of the Heritage Building, 3934 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland, Oregon, 97211

The fee is $5 for Solar Oregon members and $10 for non-members.

To register for this presentation and see other lectures in this series, go to the Solar Oregon Website.

Vanport Square III Proposal Forgoes Retail

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Rendering of the original plan for the "King Commercial Center"

Businesses in the Vanport Square development are concerned about plans under consideration to complete the project on the vacant block at Alberta and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. with an office and clinic instead of retail. Long envisioned as the cornerstone of the partly-built Vanport Square development, Phase 3 has suffered many delays. Originally intended to be anchored by a new grocery store or 24 Hour Fitness, the Portland Development Commission has struggled to attract a commitment to the project.

At one time, PDC tried to lure a call center to locate in Vanport as retailers shunned the site. Once again, PDC appears to be changing its plan for the project and looking to consider development even if it doesn’t result in retail-based neighborhood center that could bring life back to this stretch of King and survival to the isolated businesses already there.

According to KNA’s Alan Silver who attended the last PDC public meeting to mention the plan:

PDC has been approached by two development teams about Vanport phase 3. One proposal would include the Urban League, medical offices, and commercial; the other team includes Jeff Sackett (one of the developers of Vanport Square), and its proposal includes commercial real estate, including negotiations with an anchor tenant whose identity the team is “not disclosing publicly at this time.”

The PDC is ‘gathering information’ on these two proposals at present. It expects to have no funds available to aid developers of Vanport phase 3, who will have to rely entirely on private financing to complete construction.

Vanport Square, aka the King Commercial Center, is the keystone in the future of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in the King Neighborhood. Without the original long-term vision being realized, King’s center could be resigned to many years of low property values in a district that does not create a pedestrian friendly environment. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and Vanport is caught in a “catch 22” situation where a lack of businesses fails to attact foot traffic. Lack of foot traffic fails to attract businesses. If a proposal is accepted that is not retail based at the street level, the long sought-after connection between the existing Vanport development and the Alberta corridor will not be fulfilled.

The Portland Development Commission has scheduled two informational meetings held December 21, 2010 for Vanport Project Advisory Committee (PAC) members and Vanport Square business owners. A morning meeting will be held to accommodate Vanport Square businesses and an evening meeting will be targeted to PAC members.

The purpose of the informational meetings is to outline the developer selection process and to clarify the role of the PAC in the selection process. As this meeting is scheduled only a few days after the developer’s submissions are due, PDC says they won’t be able to answer a lot of questions about the specific projects; however, they will schedule future meetings as their process develops.

Upcoming Comedy Shows to Benefit Local Causes

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MESSAGE FROM
Curious Comedy Productions

Hello Curious Comedy Community –

Curious Comedy Theater has been growing by leaps and bounds. But, today we are asking for your help to keep thriving. We need to raise $10,000 by the end of 2010 to pay for a railing the fire inspector is requiring us to install on our mezzanine and related expenses. Luckily, the finished railing will also serve as the first step in completing and opening our mezzanine balcony. Please give what you can. Every donation large or small makes a huge difference. You can make your donation on line here at the longest link ever: https://robot.boxofficetickets.com/800-494-TIXS/WebObjects/BOTx2005.woa/wa/inspectSubprogram?id=881935&passKey=c154bd10a7
But we don’t just want to ask for things – so we are also giving back this season through our many partnerships. All shows are at 8pm, doors at 7:15pm. See www.curiouscomedy.org for more details:
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