- The King NA congratulates the Portland Playhouse on winning its land use appeal to begin staging plays at 602 NE Prescott again, and will work with the Playhouse to ensure that patron parking is not disruptive to nearby neighbors of the Playhouse building.
- KNA’s board voted unanimously to oppose construction of a 7-11 store at the empty lot at MLK & NE Sumner. Residents near that lot agreed to help KNA take on opposing the building of the store, and a variety of approaches and possible allies were discussed. In particular, King NA will bring the issue to the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhood’s Land Use & Transportation Committee to draw on the expertise of its members and to seek alliance with other neighborhoods.
- The KNA voted to postpone board elections scheduled for May until September, while changes to the association’s by-laws are pondered.
- KNA voted to endorse a neighborhood egg hunt on April 8th at Two Plum Park, and to approve up to seventy-five dollars in expenditures.
- Van Bogner reported that plans for the planting of trees and plants at the King School grounds continues, with a planned planting day on Earth Day, April 22nd. A grant of $1500 for plants is in hand, and organizers will seek donations from Friends of Trees as well.
- Brian Weaver reported that the King Neighborhood clean-up is on track for May 19th, at the North Precinct parking lot. KNA approved $745 up-front expenditures, with expectations that most of this will be reimbursed by the city, and that the event will be profitable. No discussion of possible uses for profits from the event occured.
- KNA decided to forgo organizing a coördinated neighborhood garage sale this year.
- KNA will be holding a Soil to Soul food security planning/organizing meeting on March 31st, at 4:30 pm at the Tin Shed. This will be the kick-off of our plans to help facilitate food security efforts for our King neighbors.
- The NA has communications funds from the city, and will hold a session next week among board members to plan some communications and outreach efforts in the coming spring months.
Thanks to everyone who came with energy and ideas last night, as well as to mieke at Tula Bakery for nourishing us with goodies from the bakery. We appreciate everything that so many folks are doing for our neighborhood!
I am the owner of the residence directly across Sumner street from the proposed 7-11 at MLK and Sumner and want to express my support and willingness to participate in the opposition to the opening of a convenience store at this location. As a direct neighbor I am already disgusted with the lack of respectful activity at this location with the check cashing business and auto parts store located adjacent to this lot. This kind of in-and-out activity makes this area a virtual dump, makes traffic inconsiderate of the neighbors with loud music and excessive speeds and makes for some very bad parking situations.
I have seen much too often drugs and alcohol related activities on this corner and can only imagine that a convenience store will amplify this already unsatisfactory situation. I am not the only resident of this area with children, I have a 5 year old daughter, my immediate neighbor has high-school kids and there are several other pre-school age children on this block. Any further drug and alcohol activity on this block will seriously jeopardize the safety of the children living here.
Over the last 7 years I have watched this neighbor hood change from a dangerous, high crime area to one I feel good about being a part of and even raising my daughter here. I think believe strongly that a 7-11 or similar business will change that for the worse.
There are several convenience stores in the area and a Safeway store only a few blocks down MLK. A convenience store at this location will not only put undue social pressures on our neighborhood, it will likely drive the other local convenience stores out of businesses, which is counter to the general feeling of preference of local businesses that pervades the area.
Again, I would like to put forth the willingness and desire to not only support the position of the King Neighborhood Association but also to put myself out as a active supporter of any activities that directly oppose placing an convenience store at the lot on MLK and Sumner.
– Dr. Andrew Scott