April 27,2011
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photo by M indy C ooper /T he P ortland O bserver
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Mark Nye, the lead architect of the June Key Delta Community Center, speaks during an Earth Day
celebration Saturday at the north Portland property where the center is under construction with
sustainable, green features. Delta Sigma Theta sorority members, community members and family
and friends joined the festivities.
June Key Earth Day
Future community center
celebrates sustainable,
green construction
H ealth
1
by M indy C ixiper
pages 18-19
F ood
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T he P ortland O bserver
In honor of Earth Day, Delta Sigma Theta sorority
members, community members and family and friends
congregated under the sun Saturday to celebrate the
unique construction of a sustainable community cen
ter across the street from Peninsula Park at North
Albina Avenue and Ainsworth.
The future June Key Community Center is becom
ing a reality thanks to public and private partners who
are committed to achieving sustainable, green devel
opments in communities historically burdened by
environmental, health, economic, educational, and
social disparities.
The construction marks a bridge between the mi
nority community and the green movement, said Mark
Nye, the lead architect.
“Initially a vision o f the Portland Alumnae Chap
ter of the Delta Sigm a Theta sorority, this project is
a work o f many hands and stands as dem onstration
o f how the highest standards grow from the
grassroots,” Nye said.
Attendees at the celebration were able to tour the
construction site and witness first-hand the several
sustainable features already onsite, including a cre
ative means of energy production, off-grid water treat
ment, and eco-friendly material installations.
Equitable hiring and training opportunities have
also been a main priority throughout the construction.
Andrew Colas, the president of Colas Construc
tion, which is the lead contractor in the building, said
one of the most exciting elements of the project was
that over 50 percent of the contractor base working on
the center is being done by women and small emerging
privately owned businesses.
The frames are installed by Oregon Trade women,
which is a perfect example,” he said.
When completed this summer, the June Key Com
munity Center will provide educational and training
opportunities and host meetings and events available
for all members of the surrounding community.
“I think it will certainly be a place where the commu
nity can come together and have our programs,” said
Marian Gilmore, president of the local sorority and a
member since 1964.
Founded in 1943, the Portland Alumnae Chapter of
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is part of a worldwide
organization which has over 200,000 active members
impacting communities through over 900 chapters
around the world.