Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current | View Entire Issue (July 24, 2015)
North Portland’s Community Newspaper - Bi-Weekly - PO Box 83068, Port. OR 97283 503-283-5086 reviewnewspaper@gmail.com WEB: www.stjohnsreview.com New development proposed at St. Johns east gateway By Barbara Quinn The Review It was also suggested that plants recently planted on Ivy Island should be preserved and reused in the new confi guration, to which the architect agreed he would if at all possible. He also agreed to re- use of the trees on the island when feasible. The lighted sign could be moved to the Fixin’ To property. The developer has been made very aware of the problem of con- struction or road detours harming small businesses especially during the holiday season and said he will provide signage to help alleviate impacts. It was agreed by all that it would be good to keep as many positive aspects of the gateway site as pos- sible such as existing trees and other qualities that contribute to A lan Jones, of Jones Archi- tecture, presented a new building project proposed for the east entrance of St. Johns town center on July 13 at the St. Johns Neighborhood Association (SJNA) meeting. Approximately 80 people were in attendance to hear Jones give the presentation for a four-story development to be located on Lombard between Charleston and Richmond. It would encompass several build- ings, including the former Huk Lab. Farid Bolouri owns the land. The project is based on the St. Johns Plan, 2004, that lays out a blueprint for the desired look and feel of N. Lombard St. One major aspect of the Plan is a reconfi guration of the blind curve in front of the former Huk Lab (the old Weir’s Cyclery) that currently makes pedestrian cross- ing at Charleston and Lombard unsafe. Problematic is the curve’s location adjacent to James John Elementary School where students are likely to cross. The St. Johns Plan calls for the removal of the curve and the creation of a plaza encompassing the traffi c island known as Ivy Island. The new pla- SEND YOUR BRIDGE PICTURES #15 JULY 24, 2015 St Johns Review PO Box 83068 Port. OR 97238 za would allow sight lines into the town center while the lane replac- ing the curve would slow traffi c with a right hand turn lane. Pedes- trian crossings would be added to Charleston and Richmond Streets at Lombard. In exchange for the expense of the street improvement, the City has offered the developer own- ership of two plazas created by the curve’s removal. Both plazas would be open to the public and Jones suggested the community Send your unique (and personally taken) photos of the St. Johns Bridge to the Review. You could win $100. See page two for full details ===================== This week’s winner is Melissa Bartoszewski Her picture is displayed in the above Masthead 515-840 decide how they would like it to be used such the addition of a water fountain or art from a St. Johns artist. The plazas could also house out- door tables for restaurants or cafes that might locate in the ground fl oor mixed use spac- es. The largest retail space would be 2500 sq. feet though most would be smaller and ideal for of- fi ces or affordable artist spaces. The proposed four-story build- ing would be set back from the street and form a step pattern with three distinct facades rather than one large wall. Each of the three smaller facades will have a dif- ferent brick color. The architect described how modulating the building would help it fi t in with the surrounding streetcar era archi- tecture. The building will have 106 living units, some with balconies looking down on the plazas, and there will be underground parking for 80 vehicles. There will also be parking in half the lot between the structure and the Library. During the question and answer period at the meeting concern was raised about the entrance to park- ing being too close to where stu- dents are picked up and dropped off at James John School. The architect responded that he would look into that more carefully. a positive impression of the St. Johns town center and work to retain the small town feel of the community. SJNA Land Use Chair Josh Les- lie said, “On the whole, I think the meeting went well, and that the plans were fairly well received by the folks in the room.” The fi nal application has not yet been turned into the city but ground breaking is planned for early 2016 with construction tak- ing approximately 15 months. Community of Hope receives contributions allowing needed improvements he Community of Hope (COH), a Christ centered association created to help home- less families in North Portland, recently received a grant from Portland’s Rotary Charitable Trust for $6,500. These funds will be used for furnishing COH’s bedrooms, paying for materials to build bunk beds, add curtain rods, mattresses, and wardrobes. Community of Hope recent- ly signed a lease for the use of a building owned by Red Sea Church, 7535 N. Chicago Ave., and received permission from T the City of Portland to use it full time on a temporary basis. Previ- ously, they were using this facili- ty during the day and sleeping at Red Sea Church at night. Now the homeless single mothers and their children can live in one building. COH has applied to the city for permission to double their capaci- ty from four to eight families and plans to renovate the building to add shower and laundry facilities, build walls to make more bedroom and meeting room space, and bring it up to code. Rotary Club of Portland is an or- ganization of local business and professional leaders dedicated to humanitarian service in everyday life, with high ethical standards in business and professions, and promoting understanding and goodwill through community programs. Rotary has an ex- tensive network of volunteers working locally, regionally, and internationally under the mot- to “Service Above Self.” They found that Community of Hope Continued on Page 5 “Community of Hope”