PDC update on Vanport/MLK & Alberta site

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Alberta Commons Project Update
Natural Grocers rendering
Dear Community Member:

We’re happy to provide you with this update on the Alberta Commons project at NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, and Alberta Street.

As a reminder, the project is designed to convert the long-vacant lot into a neighborhood-serving retail center that complements the local businesses at Vanport Square and provides needed goods and services to the community. This $9.4 million project will consist of approximately 25,000 square feet of leasable space in two separate buildings on the MLK/Alberta commercial lot. Natural Grocers (a quality, affordable, organic grocery retail chain) is the anchor tenant. PDC will be the master lessor for 50 percent of the non-anchor space (5,100 sq. ft.) and will provide discounted commercial space to local, minority-owned businesses. Colas Construction, an African-American, family-owned business, is the general contractor for the project, and Majestic Realty is the developer.

Project Milestones

  • We anticipate the property will be conveyed from PDC to Majestic and construction will begin in November 2016.
  • The construction fencing is up! PDC has issued a permit of entry to Colas to be on the property pending closing.
  • The City of Portland has issued building permits to begin construction.
  • If the project breaks ground as anticipated in November 2016, the Natural Grocers store will be open by fall 2017.

Upcoming Meetings

  • The project team will provide an update at a project “community hour” at Horn of Africa in the next few weeks. Please watch for an invitation, and come ask questions of the team.
  • The Public Art Subcommittee is planning a community meeting on Tuesday, December 6 from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Curious Comedy Theater. The project team will provide an update, and attendees can meet the artists, hear their inspiration for the art pieces, and provide input on the public art! Please watch for an invitation, and come ask questions of the team.

Community Benefits & Oversight

The Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) resulted in the formation of the Implementation, Monitoring and Accountability Committee (IMAC) to ensure the delivery of the CBA. The IMAC meets quarterly to provide updates on the progress of the Retail Tenanting, Public Art, and Construction Workforce subcommittees established by the CBA. Here’s the status of key elements:

  • Construction Diversity: Colas Construction is finalizing contracts with subcontractors and currently anticipates achieving 55% participation by MWESB firms, including 41% by MBE firms.
  • Commercial Space: The PDC master-leased space will be subleased to two to six entrepreneurs of color looking for a storefront presence in Northeast. The Retail Tenanting Subcommittee is working to determine the ideal space layout that both activates the area and provides the best opportunities for future tenants to succeed. Please stay tuned for more details and the application process.
  • Public Art:  Mehran Heard and Arvie Smith are the artists selected for the installation of public art along the east (Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.) and south (Alberta Street) walls of the Natural Grocers building.
  • Hiring and Supply Chain opportunities at Natural Grocers: The store is anticipated to have 24-28 employees. Find out more about the Natural Grocers hiring & supply chain.

If you have any questions, please contact project manager Kimberly Moreland at morelandk@pdc.us or 503-823-3220. You can find out more about the project and background on our website.

King NA membership and board meetings next Wednesday, November 9th.

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Coming up next Wednesday, November 9th:

7 PM: King NA holds a member meeting to discuss a proposal to change part of the Association’s by-laws. You can read more here: http://kingneighborhood.org/king-na-is-holding-a-member-meeting-on-november-9th-2016/

The regular monthly board meeting, open to all, begins after the conclusion of the member meeting. Both meetings will be at the offices of NECN, 4815 NE 7th Avenue. Before 7 PM, the office is closed to the public for a board training.

During the regular board meeting we’ll hear updates from the Green King, Land Use, Communications, Finance, and Grievance committees.

Also, at this month’s meeting, the Land Use Committee will be asking KNA to discuss a comprehensive plan amendment that would eliminate parking minimums in mixed-use zones. The amendment should be up for City Council testimony on Nov 17.

 

All are welcome!

Updating our membership roster.

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Hi neighbors,

State law requires our neighborhood association to maintain a formal list of our members. State law also requires that we only include people on the list who have said they want to be a member. (We can’t list you as a member without your consent.)

If you want to be a member of the King Neighborhood Association, please email us at info@kingneighborhood.org with ‘Yes’ by Wednesday, November 9th, along with your name and mailing address.

Thanks!

Upcoming opportunities to testify before City Council on land use & planning issues

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Recommended City-wide Zoning Map and other Comprehensive Plan Early Implementation projects:

The City of Portland is completing the update to its Comprehensive Plan, a long-range 20-year plan that sets the framework for the physical development of the city. including the Composite Zoning Map. The Recommended Draft of the Zoning Map and Zoning Code are available on the BPS website, along with reports for the Early Implementation Projects that brought these changes forward including Mixed Use, Employment, and Campus Institutional as well as the Transportation Systems Plan update (TSP).  Public hearings on the Recommended Draft of the Early Implementation projects (Mixed Use, Employment, and Campus Institutional, and Community Involvement)were held before City Council on October 6 and 13.Since then, City Council has held public work sessions to discuss proposed zoning map and code changes. Council members will introduce amendments (both map and code-related) based on public testimony. These will be published prior to the hearing, and I will send a link to the amendments document when it is available.

  • Public hearing on the proposed amendments: November 17 at 2:00 pm.
  • City Council vote on Comprehensive Plan Implementation: December 14 and 21 at 2:00 pm.

 

Inclusionary Housing Zoning Code Project:

The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability and Portland Housing Bureau are working together to develop regulatory and programmatic measures to implement the Inclusionary Housing Program, which will require some affordable housing units for new projects with over 20 units. The Proposed Draft was published on September 20. The Planning and Sustainability Commission held a hearing on the Proposed Draft on October 25, 2016. They will have a 3-hour work session and vote on a recommendation to City Council on November 8, beginning at approximately 1:00 pm. City Council will hold a public hearing and consider the recommendations on December 8 at 2:00 pm. More information can be found here:https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/71274

 

Mass Shelter and Housing Zoning Code Update:

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