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LEE PERLMAN
THE MID-COUNTY MEMO
Editor’s note: The following are Gateway and Parkrose neighborhood news briefs from veteran beat reporter Lee Perlman.
In September’s compendium, Perlman reports on developer Ted Gilbert’s troubles with redevelopment of eight acres in Gateway, and the funding of the 102nd Avenue project.
Perlman also reports on developments at the corner of 122nd Avenue and San Rafael Street, a church’s expansion plans, and the new Gateway Bingo property owners’ plans.
Finally this month there’s news on the East Holladay Park planning process and a Mid-Multnomah County activist is named chair of the new citywide parks committee.
Elements at Gateway project stalls
Early last year, developer Ted Gilbert announced that he planned to build a signature six-story mixed-use building, The Elements at Gateway, on the site of the old Gateway Apartments at Northeast 102nd Avenue and Glisan Street. The original proposal was later scaled down to a four-story commercial building with an adjacent surface parking lot; Gilbert said he couldn’t make the original idea “pencil out” at this time.
There have been other issues. A project of this size at this location must undergo design review, and Gilbert scheduled a “design advisory,” sort of a dry run in which the Portland Design Commission critiques an early draft of a proposal prior to a formal application. Last month Gilbert postponed the session for the third time.
“A design issue has come up that has caused us to step back,” Gilbert told the Memo. He would not specify what the issue was but, according to reliable sources, it involves providing enough parking for building users.
“We want to at least have a strong feel for what we’re doing and believe in it,” he said. “Until then, we don’t want to waste (the Design Commission’s) time.”
He remains upbeat about the project. “I believe in it, I’m committed to it,” he says. “I look at (development in) Gateway as a once in a lifetime opportunity. It could mean something to the community if done correctly.”
He added, however, “Is that a guarantee that it’s going to happen? No, it isn’t.”
102nd Avenue project funded
Last month the city received $4.2 million in federal funds for implementation of the 102nd Avenue Improvement Project. The funds, part of the $68 million the region received as part of the $287 million federal Transportation Equity Act of 2005, will allow full funding of the project from Northeast Weidler to Southeast Washington streets, according to project manager Dan Layden.
The proposed design will maintain four lanes of traffic and add bike lanes, but will remove most on-street parking. A center left-turn lane will alternate with strategically placed planted islands to facilitate safe pedestrian crossings. Other planned improvements include street trees, benches and other amenities in a sidewalk expanded where current conditions permit; further expansion and landscaping will occur in conjunction with new development.
A public hearing on the project before the Portland City Council is planned for sometime this month; the exact date was unavailable at press time. Then, Layden says, there will be more detailed planning and design work to do before construction in early 2007.
Taco Bell expands
The Taco Bell at 1940 N.E. 122nd Ave. has been demolished and will be replaced with a new facility double the size, at 2200 square feet, according to Mary Ann Kollen of Harsch Investment. To make way for the expansion, a car stereo business next door has been acquired and also demolished.
“With the need to provide more services and new city requirements, we needed more space,” Kollen told the Memo. The new fast food will be housed in a new, larger building and have outside seating. It is expected to open for business in November.
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