Local businesses provide employment for area residents and products and services close to home. Mid-county Memo Business Memos celebrate news, advancements, promotions, retirements, expansions and other noteworthy events at these cornerstones of our community. To share news of your business with our readers, Business Memo submissions for the May issue are due by Wednesday, April 15. For best results, e-mail Darlene Vinson at editor@midcountymemo.com. You may also mail submissions to 3510 N.E. 134th Ave., Portland, OR 97230. To leave a phone message, dial 503-287-8904. The Mid-county Memo fax number is 503-249-7672.
Fiscal sponsor drought dooms Fun-O-Rama 2015
According to Gateway Area Business Association President David Panichello, Fun-O-Rama 2015 is cancelled. The event, which included a parade, carnival and community fair, was to take place in May. The Floyd Light Middle School Marching Band performs at the 2014 Gateway Parade.
COURTESY ANDREW NGUY
Last month, current Gateway Area Business Association President David Panichello confirmed that the 2015 Fun-O-Rama, which includes a carnival parade and community fair, is cancelled. At GABA’s March meeting, Panichello said a lack of sponsors and volunteers derailed the group’s event, held in May since its second revival in 2012. “Not enough sponsors, time or people to get this thing organized,” said Panichello. “But we’ll be back next year.”
Panichello said that despite having no sponsors for the Fun-O-Rama, they have secured sponsors for their annual 9/11 tribute. “What we’re not doing with the parade, we’ll put that into the 9/11 tribute,” he said. “At least we’re doing that for the community this year.”
In addition, Panichello said the carnival operator they used went out of business. “They were the only ones who’d do business with us,” Panichello said. “We’re too small for some operators.”
Founded in 1952 by the Gateway Boosters (GABA’s original name), Fun-O-Rama began in mid-May with a carnival at the Gateway Shopping Center; the Gateway Parade capped the celebration on Saturday.
Throughout the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, people lined the streets for blocks to see the Gateway Parade, which for years hosted the first appearance of the Rose Festival Court. Now the 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade, begun in 2008 and held in April, has that distinction.
Losing the carnival site at the old Gateway Shopping Center in 1993 precipitated the cancellation of the parade—for the first time—in 1995. Revived in 2002 until it was cancelled again in 2009, the event had lost much of its luster. Before this year’s cancellation, GABA revived Fun-O-Rama for a second time in 2012 after a four-year hiatus.
Trash cans installed in Parkrose business district
Historic Parkrose’s Clean & Safe Committee recently organized the installation of 15 trashcans in and around the Parkrose business district, mostly on Sandy Boulevard. According to HP Revitalization Manager Bridget Bayer, the cans came at no cost to the district.
Installed in February, the mini-trash cans are funded through TriMet’s Adopt-a-Stop Program. 15 local businesses and neighbors have agreed help keep the cans free of graffiti and see that any damage is quickly ameliorated.
Two garbage disposal companies—City of Roses Disposal & Recycling and Portland Disposal & Recycling—are splitting the pick-ups at the new receptacles.
Historic Parkrose Clean & Safe Committee chose trash receptacles as its first project because of the low cost and focus on providing a place for trash in the district.
HP’s Clean & Safe Committee is focused on finding solutions to reduce crime and increase safety in Parkrose, Bayer said. They meet monthly on the second Wednesday at Jim Dandy Drive-In, 9626 N.E. Sandy Blvd., from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dinner is provided.
For more information on the committee or any HP activities, visit www.historicparkrose.com.
IRCO names new director
In 2012, Lee Po Cha, third from right, helps cut the ribbon at the Asian Family Center, the Immigrant and Community Organization’s satellite office. Lee, who has been with IRCO for more than 30 years, was named its new executive director in March.
Memo photo/Tim Curran
Last month, east Portland’s Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization at 10301 N.E. Glisan St. announced the selection of Lee Po Cha as its new executive director, effective April 1. Lee fills the vacancy created by former executive director Sokhom Tauch’s retirement. Lee was picked after a search and selection process conducted by IRCO’s board of directors. “The IRCO Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Lee as the new executive director,” said Chanpone Sinlapasai, president of IRCO’s board. “Mr. Lee brings strong leadership and a deep sense of commitment to the refugee and immigrant nonprofit sector and community. For over three decades Lee has passionately served nonprofits at many levels, including case management, mentoring, advocacy, executive and leadership levels; he has a wide breadth of perspective and diverse experiences and expertise.”
Lee has been with IRCO for more than 30 years in many leadership roles, most recently as associate director. He played a pivotal role in the development of IRCO’s Asian Family Center and Africa House. He is among the founding leadership of the Coalition of Communities of Color, a collaborative effort among community organizations to raise awareness of the need to address disparities in community resources among communities of color. As a former refugee, Lee embodies IRCO’s vision as an organization committed to helping immigrant and refugee families achieve their potential in their new home.
Lee succeeds Tauch, who led IRCO for 19 years. During his tenure, IRCO not only became the starting point for many of Portland’s newcomers but also expanded its capacity to serve diverse communities by opening three satellite locations serving the specific African, Asian and senior communities.
Logistics center celebrates opening at airport
Capstone Partners Principal Chris Nelson, holding the giant scissors, readies to cut the ribbon at the grand opening of PDX Logistics Center I, the first phase in a state-of-the-art three-building logistics park.
Memo photo/Tim Curran
Capstone Partners LLC and its partner PCCP, LLC celebrated the grand opening of PDX Logistics Center I last month. This is the first of two phases in a state-of-the-art, three-building, 846,400 square-foot logistics park. Gateway Express and Ernest Packaging are both new tenants.
PDX Logistics Center I is a two-building, 491,200 square-foot project located within the Portland International Center, owned by the Port of Portland and adjacent to Portland International Airport. The project provides tenants with immediate access to I- 205 and close proximity to airport freight and transportation services, and it is within walking distance of the TriMet Airport MAX light rail and mixed-use Cascade Station.
“There is currently a shortage of large Class A logistics space over 250,000 square feet in the Portland Metro market. PDX Logistics Center is well positioned to provide a new supply of modern industrial park space to meet the increasing needs of new and expanding traded sector firms seeking industrial space in this superior location,” said Chris Nelson, principal of Capstone Partners.
The 26-acre property is being leased from the Port of Portland on a long-term, 50-year pre-paid ground lease. “Attracting new employers to create local jobs and increase our tax base first requires a place for them to locate to and grow,” said Bill Wyatt, executive director of the Port of Portland. “This lease and the forthcoming development at Portland International Center is a significant bellwether for economic development and prosperity in this region.”
“We are pleased to partner with Capstone again on the PDX Logistics Center. The site is in an A+ location, and the buildings will offer the latest in state-of-the-art building features that modern industrial users require,” said Erik Flynn, senior vice president with PCCP, LLC. “Portland is one of the healthiest industrial markets in the United States and continues to show a durable recovery.”
