Selected articles from the Concordia News are published on the website, but the entire paper is available for download as well. Here’s the Concordia News – Concordia News – October 2008 Edition – hot off the presses (pdf ~2MB).
Keep Colwood Green Responds to Recent Editorials
Although retaining open space zoning for Colwood was unanimously supported by the Council in a tentative vote on 9/17, keeping Colwood Green is not a sure thing. Some fuel for the rezoning fire was recently provided by the Oregonian and Portland Tribune editorial boards. Both penned editorials that call the Council’s 9/17 decision to keep Colwood green into question.
At their core, these editorials assume that all assertions of economic development made by proponents to rezone the area should be taken at face value and not be subjected to any critical review or challenge. Further, both editorials imply that the decisions of the both the Hearings Officer and the Council are primarily based on politics. It is hard imagine from where these conclusions are drawn.
The Hearings Officer is not an elected official and his review of the evidence is required to be impartial. The Council decision on Comprehensive Plan Amendments is quasi-judicial in nature and must be based on the evidence; and it isn’t too hard to come up with examples where the Council has soundly rejected the preference of neighborhoods in its decisions.
The fact of the matter is that both decisions were clearly reflective of the available evidence; the case to rezone Colwood does not hold up to close scrutiny.
Formal rebuttals to these editorials have been submitted to the Oregonian and Tribune. Any decision to publish them in whole or in part is up to the editors of those papers.
In light of this, we are posting both rebuttals here so that they are available for public review and consideration:
Lamenting the Loss of Johnson Lake
As you may know, CNA has been involved in a critical local land use issue: preventing the rezoning of Colwood Golf Course from open space to industrial. There are many reasons to ensure that Colwood does not become an industrial area. One of the biggest is that Colwood is the one of the last areas on the Columbia Slough that has not been contaminated or abused by industrial development.
If you would like an example of our history of industrial development along the Columbia Slough, just take a look at Johnson Lake. The Oregonian just did a story on the latest plan to clean-up the lake. Johnson Lake is part of the Columbia Slough system. For decades the lake was a recreational retreat for Portland residents. The lake boasted a beach house to serve the public and a dance hall. People swam, fished, and enjoy the serenity of this special area.
The Owens-Illinois Glass Factory set up shop on the land adjacent to the lake in the 1950’s. They soon began dumping industrial waste into Johnson Lake, much of it containing PCBs (a known carcinogen). Needless to say, Johnson Lake has not been open to swimming for the past 50 years and fish caught in the lake is unsafe for human consumption.
Colwood has been zoned open space as long as it has been in the city and was zoned agricultural before that. It makes no sense to open of Colwood to industrial development and risk repeating the past. Let’s learn from the past for a change. Let’s Keep Colwood Green!
Send in your testimony to Keep Colwood Green today!
Art on Alberta Organization – Volunteers Wanted!
Do you want experience in the arts or just a chance to meet new friends and neighbors? Art on Alberta is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the Alberta Art District’s distinct cultural identity through art and educational activities. We have been fostering the artistic spirit of NE Alberta Street for the past decade.
Art on Alberta currently seeks volunteers who are reliable, professional, positive and work well with a team to help us get ready for our big Art Hop in May 2009, where we will feature the work of Thelma Johnson Streat, the first African American woman to be in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Opportunities range from educational to neighborhood outreach to nitty gritty promotion. Find your niche and gain valuable experience working with our fantastic team. Contact us at volunteers@artonalberta.org for more information.
Art on Alberta
1614 NE Alberta St.
Portland, OR 97211
Keep Colwood Green Coalition Meeting on September 4
UPDATE: The location below has been corrected. The meeting will be held from 7 PM to 9 PM at Grace Presbyterian Church, 6025 NE Prescott.
The proposal to rezone Colwood Golf Course from open space to industrial will be considered by the Portland City Council on September 17th. To prepare for the hearing, the Keep Colwood Green Coalition will be meeting 7:00pm – 9:00pm on Thursday, September 4th, at Grace Presbyterian Church, 6025 NE Prescott, Portland. The meeting is open to anyone who supports the mission of keeping Colwood zoned as open space.
Why should anyone are about a golf course being rezoned? Because Colwood is one of the last parts of the environmentally sensitive and diverse Columbia Slough area that has not been lost to industrial development and abuse. As noted by the Hearings Officer, “… the Colwood site open space is unique, is a practically irreplaceable asset.” Our region cannot afford to lose a single inch of open space in this unique natural area.
The area surrounding Colwood is extremely deficient in parkland, natural areas, and other open space. The Cully neighborhood access rate is 2,780 people per park acre, compared with a citywide average of 40 people per park acre. Additionally, the transition from open space and habitat area to industrial use would have a pronounced effect on local health. North and Northeast Portland already suffer from the long-term effects of existing and historic industrial uses in the area. New air and water pollution sources in this are would have a pronounced impact on the health of local residents as well as local wildlife.
What should happen to Colwood? How about a new regional park? Seriously. Creating a Colwood Regional Park would dramatically enhance the livability of the Portland area. Funding sources for a Colwood park include Metro’s Natural Areas Bond and the Portland City’s parks system development charges. It is important to note that both of these funding sources may only be used for park and open space acquisition. Use of these funds would not affect the funding of other pressing needs in Portland or the region.
What could a Colwood Regional Park be? With 140 acres, the better question is “What do YOU want it to be?” A canoe launch and interpretive trails like at Smith and Bybee lake, a learning farm like on Sauvie Island, new bike and pedestrian access to the Columbia Slough trail, more play fields and playground space, a state of the art driving range. These are just some of the possible amenities for a Colwood Regional Park. But the door closes to everything that Colwood could be, if it is rezoned to industrial.
Any Questions? Contact Bill Barber at Central Northeast Neighbors – 503-823-2883, billb@cnncoalition.org, or Tony Fuentes, Concordia Neighborhood Association, 971-570-6930, milagros@milagrosboutique.com
Concordia Neighborhood Cleanup, Saturday, September 6th
Time to Cleanup Concordia!
The 2008 Concordia Neighborhood Cleanup is happening on Saturday, September 6th. We can all feel proud that Concordia consistently fills more drop boxes than any other NE neighborhood during our cleanup event. We can also take more pride in the fact that we recycle thousands of pounds of yard debris, metal, electronics, and bikes during our event. This year’s event is another chance to come together as team and make a difference with your neighbors.
Concordia Neighborhood Cleanup
When: Saturday, September 6th, 8:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Where: PCC Metropolitan Workforce Training Center (NE Corner of 42nd and Killingsworth)
We do need additional volunteers to help during two shifts, either 7:30 to 10 A.M. or 10 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Please call TJ at 503.460.3506 to sign up to help.
Please note:
Items we cannot take:
Hazardous waste, batteries, tires, sod, rocks, concrete, paint, or oil.
Please see Metro at: http://www.metro-region.org/ for hazardous waste recycling guidelines and locations.
E-waste: We are not sending any electronics to the landfill. ReTronics, a local E-waste recycler will be there to take what you have for a small fee.
- Computer monitors = $10
- TVs (any size) = $20
- Everything else (computers, printers, VCRs) = $5.00 per armload.
Why is it important to recycle e-waste? (Courtesy of ReTronics )
Electronic equipment is made with a variety of elements, like plastics, glass, steel, gold, lead, mercury, cadmium, and fire retardants that can be recaptured through recycling and used again. If thrown away, electronic equipment can release toxins to the environment, potentially polluting the groundwater we drink and the air that we breathe. Recycling the resources in electronic equipment and also eliminates the need to obtain these elements from nature, decreasing production impact on the environment.
Concordia University Unveils Community Mural and Opens Bookstore to Community
On Saturday, August 23, Concordia University unveiled a community mural on the side of the building at NE Ainsworth and NE 30th Streets in Portland, Oregon. The unveiling also marks the grand opening of the new location of the university’s bookstore, “The Bookmark” at that same location.
The mural was created by Concordia University students under the direction of Larry Gross, chair of the art department and Greg Lewis, of Greg Lewis Studios and current adjunct faculty member in the art department. The students were supported in their work by community leaders Ken and Marta Thrasher, who donated the necessary funds to make the mural a reality, and the Regional Arts & Culture Council, which was involved through their public art group.
The mural, which took 18 months from conception to finality, was painted by six Concordia University students over 5 weekends. The mural was intended to communicate integrity and community and to accentuate Concordia University’s expanding outreach into the north and northeast neighborhoods. The location of the mural, where the campus meets the community is a “perfect fit.”
“The mural is symbolic of Concordia University’s relationship with the community and how powerful that relationship can be when the campus and the community come together to embrace their respective cultures and values,” said Concordia Executive Vice President, Gary Withers.
Collaborate to Create a Safe and Sane Last Thursday Event
By Eve Connell
Each month, people – thousands in the summer – flock to our neighborhood to join in what has become one of the most popular events in Portland: Last Thursday Art Walk on Alberta Street. The informal arts-related festival began with just a few businesses and artists in 1997, and has expanded to reach not only the entire stretch of businesses on Alberta (roughly 20 blocks), but entices street vendors, performers, and other organic attractions to participate as well. Galleries, studios, restaurants, and other art venues on Alberta Street open their doors for a celebratory evening of art, usually from 5 to 9:30 P.M. Street vendors and performers (and enthusiastic participant-observers), usually stay much later (again, primarily in the summer months).
People in our neighborhood seem to have a love-hate relationship with this event. Many look forward to the night of festivity and fun, while others dread trying to make it home on time to secure their street parking.
The positive elements of this event include some peaks in business, attention to the Alberta Arts District, a general focus on art, and a night of casual fun for all.
However, negative elements do exist, and are not limited to the obvious: lack of parking, excess trash and noise, and rowdy visitors to the neighborhood. More serious issues include safety (e.g., excessive and potentially dangerous traffic, public drunkenness) and event exclusivity (e.g., longtime neighborhood residents do not feel welcome to participate).
Some people took it upon themselves this summer to monitor the event on their own – one robust yet informal group even attempted unofficial street closure in June, which illustrates further that Last Thursday is reaching a tipping point.
Open discussion began a few weeks ago to address the issues that top the list of concerns. The City of Portland has been fabulously cooperative with business owners, street vendors, and the public. Because there’s nothing official about Last Thursday, the City could choose to shut it down, but they choose to cooperate with neighbors, business owners, vendors, and other participants. With swelling crowds this summer (July’s Last Thursday event brought over 8000 people — and 75+ open container warnings as well as eight tickets for the same offense), just how to proceed is being discussed with City officials from Sam Adams’ office, the Office of Neighborhood Involvement, the Police, Alberta Business Association, Art On Alberta, and concerned neighbors, both for and against the event.
Next Colwood Strategy Meeting, Tuesday, August 12th
The next Colwood strategy meeting is Tuesday, August 12th from 7pm to 8:30pm at Central Northeast Neighbors, 4415 NE 87th Avenue. Please join us!
Colwood is scheduled to go before City Council on Wednesday, September 17th. To ensure success at the Council we need to make new connections, maintain connections, and reconnect where needed with individuals and organizations who support keeping Colwood green. We need a critical mass of testimony and support being provided to the Mayor and Commissioners. If you support keeping Colwood green, be sure to contact them!
What’s new?
- The Port of Portland has tabled its plans for a third runway for the foreseeable future. This removes much of the Port’s drive for supporting the rezoning.
- The Sierra Club has taken an official stand opposing the rezoning. They join a long list of organizations and individuals opposed to the rezoning of Colwood.
- The City of Portland continues to meet with the land owners to discussion purchasing Colwood as a permanent public space. Despite what some proponents of the rezone have stated publicly, the City has always had and continues to express a strong interest in this property.
Any questions? Contact Bill Barber at Central Northeast Neighbors – 503-823-2883, billb@cnncoalition.org, or Tony Fuentes, Co-Chair, Concordia Neighborhood Association, 971-570-6930.
Colwood Hearing Date Change
We recently reported on an upcoming hearing related to the re-zoning of Colwood Golf Course. The hearing date has been changed to September 17.