The themes of the March General Meeting (Tuesday, March 4th at 7:00 P.M.) are sharing and learning: we want you to share your opinion on a wide variety of issues that the Concordia Neighborhood Association (CNA) is addressing while you learn more about our current opportunities to get involved.
To accomplish this, we will have presentations from leaders within CNA plus presentations and from our neighborhood community policing officer. In addition, Concordia University will present their concept for streetlight banners to be installed throughout the area surrounding campus.
Greg Harris, Director of Marketing for Concordia University, will present their proposal. Mr. Harris shared the preliminary design for the banners along with a map of proposed locations to CNA board members at the January CNA board meeting. Aside from the Concordia University logo, each banner would have a word associated with the university. These themes include “Think,” “Faith,” “Transform,” “Respect,” and “Serve.”
The CNA board asked Mr. Harris to present at the March general meeting before it took a formal position on the banners and their placement. In general, individual board members found the banner designs attractive while some expressed concerns about the placement of the banners on Ainsworth Avenue. We want to hear from you, so please listen to what our neighbors at Concordia University are proposing and share your thoughts.
Our Land Use Committee Chair, George Bruender, will provide a report on the numerous land use issues that this very active committee is pursuing. At their last meeting, over 20 people participated, indicating the importance of this issue to many of our neighbors. Along with our fellow neighborhoods within the Northeast Coalition of Neighbors, we are advocating for city funding for an extensive study of the Killingsworth Avenue corridor that we believe will lead to re-investment, greater livability, and economic development throughout this area. Current regulations prevent landowners from renovating their commercial properties because many of the historic commercial areas on Killingsworth are zoned for residential buildings.
The increase in value of real estate in our neighborhood and the city’s housing goals continue to bring infill development issues to the Land Use committee. George will bring the latest on a wide range of issues that the committee is addressing.
Here are some other committees that will present at the March meeting:
Faubion Elementary: Our board member Julierae Trunz, along with board member Ike Harris, have worked to deepen the relationship between CNA and this Concordia neighborhood school. We need people to help on some exciting projects.
Summer Concerts at Fernhill Park: CNA is again planning five exciting summer concerts. Portland Parks and Recreation will be updating the electrical system which will allow us to host a more diverse group of musicians. We need to raise over $12,000 and help in organizing these extremely popular concerts. CNA Co-chair Katie Ugolini and Economic Development chair Matt Steadman will tell you what’s up and how to help.
Candidate Forum: We have an exciting election season at the local level as four of the five Portland City Council seats are up for re-election. On April 1st, CNA will host a candidate forum for the seats currently held by Erik Sten (resigning) and Sam Adams (running for mayor). Last year CNA’s candidate forum had the highest attendance of any such forum so you know the candidates will be showcasing their best.
Please come learn and share – we need your help! Hopefully you will be inspired to join one of the committees.