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About The Southwest Portland Post. (Portland, Oregon) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2015)
4 • The Southwest Portland Post NEWS July 2015 Neighborhood House considers building affordable housing in Multnomah Village By KC Cowan The Southwest Portland Post The 71-unit apartment building proposed by Urban Asset Advisors may not be the only change coming to Multnomah Village. Neighborhood House, a local charity associated with the Oregon Food Bank, is considering using its four lots in the heart of the Village for senior and veteran housing. Rick Nitti, executive director of Neighborhood House, said it’s something they’ve been exploring over the past 20 years, although it’s not a sure thing yet. “We’re at the exploratory stage and haven’t made a decision on whether we’re going to do it or not,” Nitti said. “For me, it’s about getting the finances all lined up.” According to Nitti, the idea is to construct two buildings that would hold 35 units. One would face Capitol Highway (near 35th Avenue) and not exceed three stories in height. The second building would be on Moss Street and would not only house apartments, but also take advantage of the slope in the property to include a daylight basement where the Neighborhood House offices and food bank would be placed. This second building may go as high as four stories, but a final decision has not been made. “While we are committed to not building above three stories on Capitol, we may look at a four story on Moss Street,” said Nitti. “Moss is lower so, it will be the same roof level as Capitol Highway building.” What about parking? Nitti admits it will be hard to create one space for each unit. “We’re looking at about 25 parking places for 35 apartments, with the assumption that seniors and older vets … not all of them will have cars. But we need to look to see if there’s a way to increase the parking because we don’t want to have a negative impact on the Village.” Keeping the apartments affordable is also key. Nitti said Neighborhood House was hoping to provide small one-bedroom apartments for about $500, but realistically, it may be closer to $700. Nitti said they will also try to build in a style that fits in with the Village’s charm, perhaps similar to the Thinker Toys building or Bishops Barbershop. M o s t i m p o r t a n t , h o w e v e r, i s providing affordable housing for seniors. “We think it aligns well with our mission and senior services we have According to Rick Nitti of Neighborhood House, "Attached is a rendering of what it could look like on Capitol Highway with commercial rental space on the first floor and apartments on floors 2 and 3. As we move forward, we will want to make sure the design conforms with the nature of the Village probably a 1930’s era design and reflects feedback from the community." at the Multnomah Center, where we provide fitness, wellness, meals, case-management and other services for seniors,” said Nitti. “We have land and if there’s a way to hopefully help solve the (affordable housing) problem, we want to, although it’s just a drop in the bucket.” Neighborhood House’s committee is working on the strategy now and hopes to have a plan to present to their board of directors by the fall. From then on, Nitti said they’ll work closely with the Multnomah Village business and neighborhood associations as they move forward, because those relationships are very important to them. Editor ’s Note: the Neighborhood House property in question lies inside a design overlay zone, and includes a historic fire station. Portland buildings constructed in a “D” overlay zone must fit into the character of the district or conform to citywide community design guidelines and are subject to design review. Hillsdale celebrates with 39th annual Blueberry Pancake Breakfast top hit of the year (1976). And Paloma Clothing turned one year old. THE COUNTRY STORE By Erik Vidstrand The Southwest Portland Post The 39th annual Hillsdale Customer Appreciation Blueberry Pancake Breakfast is fast approaching. Come enjoy the annual community gathering. It’s taking place in the Casa Colima/ Key Bank plaza on Sunday, July 26 from 8 a.m. until noon. The event is sponsored by the Hillsdale Business and Professional Association and there is a modest fee to help cover costs. The very first blueberry pancake breakfast was held when Jimmy Carter was just being nominated for U.S. President at the Democratic National Convention in New York City. People were just finished celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Silly Love Songs, by Paul McCartney and Wings was the Book sale to benefit Hillsdale Community Foundation Books are needed for the tenth annual Hillsdale Book Sale. Books will be displayed along the south side of Capitol Highway and at the Watershed Building (Capitol Highway at Bertha Court). Donate books at the Hillsdale Farmers Market (in the Rieke School parking lot) on Sundays, July 12 and 19, as well as mid-week collection on Tuesdays, July 14 and 21, and Thursdays, July 16 and 23 at the Watershed between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Please no outdated materials including textbooks, computer manuals and almanacs. Donations are tax deductible. Note to the over 60 somethings: dig out those bell bottoms and plaid vests Introducing our newest advertising consultant With a background as a writer, newspaper editor and advertising sales manager, Rich Riegel has the experience you can rely on. For more information or to advertise in The Post call Rich Riegel at 503-232-5111 or email richriegel@aol.com. Deadline for August is July 20. The biggest event of the year for Hillsdale, the annual blueberry pancake breakfast draws residents from all over. (Post file photo by Erik Vidstrand) and come share stories of yesteryear. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer at the book sale or breakfast. BARBUR BRIDGE PEDAL (Continued from Page 1) Highway begins), Miller began riding in the slow lane of the highway along with several others in order to have motorists merge to the outside lane to give the riders some buffer room. Once at the site, participants had different roles. Some held up “Fix Barbur” and “Honk if you support safe biking” placards. Others took measurements of the small sidewalk/ bike ledge. The rest took photos and wrote down notes. Joe Rowe, a member of Bike Loud PDX, took digital radar photos of cars speeding. He clocked some going over 50 miles per hour in a 35 zone. “The BTA is too complacent with ODOT,” Rowe said. “We are the rebel of the movement and want our voice heard above the political fray.” Hamilton did agree that the BTA and ODOT have a good relationship and work together on issues to protect motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists alike. Larson said that the BTA educates about bicycle safety and encourages use. It provides expertise on engineering projects and builds support for over 3,000 members region-wide. Contact Mike Roach (breakfast) at 503- 224-3096 or Rick Seifert (book sale) at 503-245-7821. At a wreath near the A-Boy hardware store not far from Terwilliger Boulevard, riders paid respects to another casualty of this high-crash corridor. “We’re glad that a reporter rode along with us,” Larson said. “We hope your readers can help make Barbur safer for all.” To sign a petition or to read more about the BTA’s efforts to make Barbur Boulevard a safer highway for all, visit https:// btaoregon.org. Facebook pages include People for a Safer Barbur Boulevard and Friends of Barbur. Bicyclists measure and take notes on the thin bike ledge on the Newbury Bridge along Barbur Boulevard. (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand)