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)