Community Center Land not Secured
In February, the City Council voted unanimously to direct Portland Parks & Recreation to enter into negotiations with Portland Public Schools to purchase the site. Then in April, with little public notification, the City agreed to either buy 3.86 or 4.5 acres by May 31st. Mayor Katz‚s proposed budget, allocates $1 million towards acquisition of the Washington Monroe High School site. PP & R has earmarked another $1 million from its system development charges fund. The full price tag is a little over $5 million, the remainder of which can be financed through a loan from the City and the difference between the two options is not substantial. The Mayor and especially Commissioner Francesconi have been strong allies for the community center and we appreciate their efforts and look forward to their continued support.
It is important that you contact the Mayor, Commissioner Francesconi, Leonard, and Sten now, but especially the Mayor and urge her and them to follow through with their commitment and purchase the full 4.5 acres of property for the future center. The community center will impact the hosting neighborhood greatly with increased traffic and parking headaches, and the City must not try to short the nearby residents and neighbors who are willing to host the center if the sports field and some of the openness remain as amenities with the center. The preferred option of the Washington High School Project Advisory Committee balances all the parties concerns and takes the nearby neighbors needs into account.
Call or email the Mayor's office now (503-823-4120 and mayorkatz@ci.portland.or.us) and urge the City to do the right thing and buy the full 4.5 acreage now before we lose our option as first buyer of the school lands.
Contact the Mayor and Commissioner's by email or phone and tell them simply, "It's time to buy the 4.5 acres for our future community center.". Please support this effort and especially the Buckman neighborhoods effort's to avoid a serious hosting conflict in the future and ensure that there is no division as we move forward later to search for and secure the financing for the center. We'll all need to be on board to get it built. This plan is so sensible, combining recreation, room for outdoor sports with housing opportunities, the City should embrace it 100%. It's a workable, neighborhood-based plan that simply makes sense, and if we want it and work for it, we'll get it.
Please forward this email and personally urge others to make sure the City doesn't fail to buy the 4.5 acres.
To get involved or for more information on the Community Center and plans for the site, please call 503-236-2214. Email virginia@southeastuplift.org to be added to the community center email list so you can be in the loop! It's going to take us all to make it happen. Thank you for your ongoing support!
Susan Lindsay Chair, Washington High School Project Advisory Committee Chair, Buckman Community Association
It is important that you contact the Mayor, Commissioner Francesconi, Leonard, and Sten now, but especially the Mayor and urge her and them to follow through with their commitment and purchase the full 4.5 acres of property for the future center. The community center will impact the hosting neighborhood greatly with increased traffic and parking headaches, and the City must not try to short the nearby residents and neighbors who are willing to host the center if the sports field and some of the openness remain as amenities with the center. The preferred option of the Washington High School Project Advisory Committee balances all the parties concerns and takes the nearby neighbors needs into account.
Call or email the Mayor's office now (503-823-4120 and mayorkatz@ci.portland.or.us) and urge the City to do the right thing and buy the full 4.5 acreage now before we lose our option as first buyer of the school lands.
Contact the Mayor and Commissioner's by email or phone and tell them simply, "It's time to buy the 4.5 acres for our future community center.". Please support this effort and especially the Buckman neighborhoods effort's to avoid a serious hosting conflict in the future and ensure that there is no division as we move forward later to search for and secure the financing for the center. We'll all need to be on board to get it built. This plan is so sensible, combining recreation, room for outdoor sports with housing opportunities, the City should embrace it 100%. It's a workable, neighborhood-based plan that simply makes sense, and if we want it and work for it, we'll get it.
Please forward this email and personally urge others to make sure the City doesn't fail to buy the 4.5 acres.
To get involved or for more information on the Community Center and plans for the site, please call 503-236-2214. Email virginia@southeastuplift.org to be added to the community center email list so you can be in the loop! It's going to take us all to make it happen. Thank you for your ongoing support!
Susan Lindsay Chair, Washington High School Project Advisory Committee Chair, Buckman Community Association