September 26, 2 0 0 7
Page B 18
photo by
M ark W ashington /T he P ortland O bserver
Bridgecity Group founders Robel and Meron Alemseghed show the custom interior features of their newly built condos just off Williams Avenue on Northeast Going Street.
I
Local Brothers Build Luxury Homes
continued
from H 13
com m unity and environm ent. The
condo units are Earth A dvantage
and E nergy Star ce rtifie d . The
developers were resolved to u ti­
lize building m aterials and m eth­
ods that are more sustainable than
th o se ty p ic a lly used on o th e r
projects o f this sort.
Such features include reclaimed
h a rd w o o d flo o rs from T he
ReBuilding Center, reclaim ed stair
treads and risers from the now-
d e m o lis h e d
W h ita k e r/A d a m s
School, a radiant-floor-heating sys­
tem that utilizes one water heater
for both heat and dom estic use, ultra
high-efficiency insulation and win­
dows, exposed beam ceilings on the
second floor, an air-recirculation
system, a minimal building foot print
without grass for maximal rainw a­
ter perm eation and high-efficiency
appliances.
This project is a vivid exam ple of
how minority entrepreneurs are ac­
tive in the neighborhoods o f Port­
land, shaping its future in a very
positive way.
By som e p e o p le ’s evaluation,
Bridgecity Group may be contribut­
ing to the gentrification that is com ­
monly characterized as a m alevo­
lent market force. The Alemseghed
brothers, however, are not victim s
of urbanization.
Rather, they are visionaries who
bring an innovative and positive in­
fluence to city developm ent. They
offer a case study in how m inorities
can take an active role in shaping
the growth and future o f our fine
city, rather than being cast as the
helpless throw away victims of capi­
talistic endeavors.
Would you like to
I in ja berm, wife
orDawsbri
Build Your Small Construction Business?
T h e C hehalis T ib e s
An economic tradition hundreds o f treats in the making.
T h e C ity o f P o r tla n d is o p e n in g
th e a p p l ic a t io n p e r io d f o r th e
Construction Sheltered Market Program.
Certified Minority, Women and Emerging
Small Businesses (M/W/ESB) in business
for two years or more may apply for the program.
5 a lts h -s p e a k in g people have lived in
the Chehalis River area fo r many centunes.
In the old times, we relied upon the. Lind fo r
sustenance. Today, we operate Lucky Laefe
Casino, fa cjcs I ending Hotel, a convenience
Program participants will have opportunities
to bid on City of Portland construction projects,
and can receive free technical assistance
to improve their business management skills.
store, a health clinic, a housing authority
and many different tnhal programs.
In addition. we will open the new Chehalis
Reservation Great Wolf lo d g e in early
200?, which will include an indoor water p r k .
spa, fitness center and arcade.
The application period runs from
September 3 to November 9,2007.
And while we are extremely proud o f
ou r ability to succeed in contemporary life,
o u r hearts still travel where our ancestors
lived and died *
UWCR C H fM A llS
V lkU M M V T fS
For more information, contact:
Gene Jackson, Program Coordinator
(503) 823-9166
EAGLES LA N D IN G H O TE L
Rochester, WA • www.luckyeagle.com
* Copy adapted from original by tribal member l.ikhaat
© 200I Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Indian Reservation, Oakville. Washington 98568
I
Eugene.Jack»on@cl.portland.or,ug
t