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About St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 9, 2015)
Address: reviewnewspaper@gmail.com or reviewnewspaper@comcast.net * PO Box 83068, Port. OR 97283 * Web: www.stjohnsreview.com * 503-283-5086 * St. Johns Review * #1 - Jan. 9, 2015 * Page 3 Community News Groundbreaking celebrates new development in Kenton By Jennifer Park Golden shovels ceremonially broke ground on a new transit-ori- ented development project in Ken- ton last week, bringing to life a vision born a decade ago. For developers Mary Hanlon and Jim Meyer, who purchased the land 10 years ago but were un- able to move forward during the recession, the groundbreaking is a celebration of the partnerships that helped begin the project. The planned four-story mixed- use building, tentatively dubbed The Kenton, will be home to 57 studios, one and two-bedroom apartments, and a ground fl oor restaurant space. “This neighborhood really lacks rental units,” said Megan Watts, member of the Kenton Neighbor- hood Association. “So the fact of the matter is it’s nice to have some apartments in the neighborhood. Especially of quality.” She added, “And there’s density for the busi- ness district, so you have more support of that, and that’s a huge deal.” The corner property sits just 300 feet from the Kenton MAX station, and is within a four-block radius of 64 small businesses, Hanlon said. The Metro Transit-Oriented Development program focuses on prompting development that encourages increased transit rid- ership. The fi nancing assists in offsetting costs associated with design elements that incorporate TOD goals. The TOD design el- ements of The Kenton, including more apartments and a mixed-use building design, are projected to generate 17,000 additional transit trips annually, producing about $840,000 in fare revenues over 30 years. “These communities were driv- en historically by the existence of transportation systems,” said Met- ro Council President Tom Hughes. “We’re sort of going back into his- tory now by supporting this type of development with investment in light rail and other kinds of trans- portation systems.” The TOD funds granted to the project total $350,000, just 3.8 percent of the more than $9 mil- lion total project budget. In addition to TOD design ele- ments the property sits within the Kenton Conservation District and the Denver Street Historic District, which each hold their own require- ments for design of new develop- ment. “We went through a historic de- sign review which is great,” said Kurt Schultz of SERA Architects. “We’ve really been working hard to make sure that the project fi ts within the neighborhood, the way it expresses what Kenton is all about. It is not a cookie cutter de- sign.” “The North Portland boom is happening,” said Bryan Suereth, Executive Director of Disjecta, a local contemporary art center that calls Kenton home. “I think this development is an example of that but a very good example, where if this sets the precedent we’re in good hands.” Metro Councilor Carlotta Col- lette praised Kenton as an example of how neighborhoods can devel- op transit, grow, and keep unique local personality. “We can keep our neighborhood charm, we can keep the character that we love, and still build and bring new people in, and put new people to work; over 100 jobs just because of this project,” Collette said. Jennifer Park can be reached at jenni- fer.park@oregonmetro.gov with Metro Councilor Carlotta Collette with SERA Architects design rendering Sitton School’s SMART program SMART (Start Making A Read- er Today) has announce a new K-2nd grade after-school program at Sitton Elementary. The school, however, needs 20 more volun- teer readers to serve the many K-2ndafterschool students, who could benefi t from participating in the SMART program at Sitton. SMART reading will be on Tues- days and Thursdays from 3 – 4 PM. Sitton Head Start is located at 130 N. Smith Street in St. Johns. New volunteers can sign up on- line: www.getsmartoregon.org or call the SMART program offi ce at 971-634-1628. Keep Up what’s happening! Subscribe to the R EVIEW Portland’s Oldest Community Newspaper Founded in 1904 Special Offers: ___$12 for 1 Yr./26 issues (save $1) ___$23 for 2 Yrs./52 issues (save $3) ___$34 for 3 Yrs./78 issues (save $5) Yes, I would like to subscribe____ OR, Please send this gift subscription to the recipient below. ____ This is a NEW____ subscription. This is a RENEWAL____. This is an address change_______ Name:_____________________________________ Address:___________________________________ City/State/Zip:______________________________ Send payment with this form to: The Review PO Box 83068 Portland, Oregon 97283
