October 27, 2005

Are We Ready for a Disaster?
This is the main topic for the Sullivan's Gulch Fall general meeting -- so save the date of Monday, November 28 --- 7:00 at Holladay Park Plaza in the Penthouse. More details will be provided closer to the event.

Portland Design Commission Reviews Albina Project
Following up on a Sept 26 meeting where the architects for the new Albina Fuel site development presented preliminary plans to Sullivan's Gulch and neighboring communities (Grant Park, Hollywood, Irvington, Laurelhurst and Kerns) for review and comment, the project was taken to a "Design Advice" session with the Portland Design Commission on November 3. This was an informal session, open to the public, and an opportunity to learn about the project and what the Commission will be looking for as the project eventually comes before it for formal approval.

The mixed use residential/commercial development is designed to be built in 3 phases. The first phase is to be along Broadway with housing above commercial. Housing and additional commercial is planned for the remainder of the site. Altogether about 300 rental housing units are anticipated along with some additional commercial.

At the September meeting, many questions were asked about the relationship of the developer's plans to the Albina Fuel Site Broadway Main Street Planning Study produced 2 years ago by Crandall/Arambula and the five neighborhoods. The plans did not include key ideas developed in that planning study, which was disappointing.

At the design advice session on 11/3, the public was invited to comment following the development team's presentation.

As a start, each Commissioner received a color copy of the Planning Study. Then officers from four neighborhoods testified--primarily referencing expectations coming from the Planning Study. After our testimony each commissioner spoke as to how they view the issues and what the development team needs to address. The following points were most significant:

1. The site is of gateway quality and will set the standard for future development in the area. Not only is the site at the junction of four neighborhoods on a main street, but its location on an outside curve of I-84 makes its south-facing facades important.

2. The plan needs a "cultural context." The massing of buildings and circulation within the site require an urban rather than suburban scale. This means elimination of long unbroken facades, the location of pedestrian scale buildings where the project meets the existing neighborhood, and a variety of roof tops. Also needed is a system of publicly-accessible pedestrian spaces.

3. Retail along Broadway is challenged by the traffic. While the team does not believe that the "slip road" concept in the Planning Study will work in this case, they are interested in getting on-street parking to help the retail.

The Commission was glad for the chance to talk with the development team at such an early stage in their planning for the site. This is also good for us as the public, as we continue to work with the Commission and the development team. We are seeing great benefit in having done the Planning Study as the Commissioners were frequently referring to it throughout the session.

Full details on the history of this development, the zone change and the neighborhood-sponsored Broadway-Albina plan can be found on our website. If you have questions, please contact SGNA Land Use Chair Lynne Coward, 503-335-9405.

Full details on the history of this development, the zone change and the neighborhood-sponsored Broadway-Albina plan can be found on our website. If you have questions, please contact SGNA Land Use Chair Lynne Coward, 503-335-9405.

Neighborhood History Update from Grace Academy's Confluence Project
Through the Confluence Project in the Schools, Grace Academy students are collaborating with professional teaching artists and neighborhood leaders to create a public art mural, a Cob park bench, a literary/photographic anthology, theatrical presentations, and a DVD that inform and reflect upon the past, present, and future of the Sullivan’s Gulch neighborhood. The mural will be on the back wall of Epicure Restaurant (the old Irvington Corner Table - see below) facing the vacant lot on the corner of NE 17th and Weidler. Grace Academy, the after-school program of Grace Episcopal Church, has two students that live in Sullivan’s Gulch and are proud to represent the community in this project.

Sullivan’s Gulch residents have risen to the challenge of providing us with information for this journey: Leonard Cain will be leading a walking tour of the historical sidewalks of Sullivan’s Gulch, Lynne Coward has loaned us great photos with images that can be potentially used in our Mural project, and Meara McGlaughlin’s relatives will soon be interviewed by Grace Academy youth. We are also in the midst of researching all about the famous WPA artists of Sullivan’s Gulch, Martina Gangle Curl and the Runquist brothers. A huge thank you also is given to William Elder who provided us with his excellent paper on The History of Sullivan’s Gulch. Thanks to Peyton Snead, we were able to summit an application for additional funding through the Neighborhood Arts Grant of the Oregon Arts Commission.

Additional stories, photos and interviews are still needed about the people and places of Sullivan’s Gulch. PLEASE contact Liz Harlan Ferlo at 503-331-8155 ext. 126 if you have a suggestion. The Confluence Project at Grace Academy has been working with SGNA, City Repair Project, and local professional artists, is sponsoring the design, construction, and installation of public artwork in the Sullivan’s Gulch neighborhood. Grace Academy has received funding from the national Confluence Project, Safeco Community Fund, and Spirit Mountain Community Fund to support this project.

Epicure Restaurant Comes to the Gulch
A new menu in a familiar location is what Epicure Restaurant offers neighbors at the former Irvington Corner Table location. While Epicure is new to the Gulch, it was operating for two years in Northwest Portland. Chef Charles Zorich will feature more organic items and locally-grown items, as well as many fresh seafood specials. From their previous location they continue to offer their highly-rated weekend brunch. Epicure opens at 11 am for lunch and stays open until 11 on weekdays; weekend hours are 9 am to midnight (Friday & Saturday). For reservations phone Epicure at 503-331-1200.

More Condominiums headed our way
One of the few remaining vacant lots in the neighborhood, beloved by dog-walkers, succumbed to the backhoe earlier this month, as Alan Kravitz broke ground for 18 unit condominium at the corner of NE 16th and Clackamas. The design of the 6-story building will be reminiscent of the 1620 architecture, which was also developed by Kravitz.

Meanwhile, just west of 21st and Wasco, Macleod Construction is progressing on the up-scale row houses, on the site where two years ago a mid-winter fire left the occupants of the original victorian house out in the cold. And on NE 21st between Clackamas and Halsey the march of the condo conversions continues the newly-named Regal Apartments. Some will remain as apartments, while others become condos starting at $179,000. And you gotta hand it to IPM, the leasing agent for the remaining apartments, for claiming these units are in the "heart of the Lloyd Center District", wherever that is?

Neighborhood Art Opportunities for Kids and Adults
Grace Academy has other art opportunities for kids and adults. Coming up are drawing classes, water color and "encaustic" painting (using beeswax, pigment and resin) classes, as well as several family art project activities. See their website or call 503-331-8155 ext. 123 for the complete class schedule and details.

Here are some new offerings:

Power Animal Workshop with Debra Shaffer
Sunday, November 13th, 2005, 1-3PM
Instructor: Debra Shaffer
$25.00

What is your power animal and how can it help you? In this workshop we will journey into the magical and healing world of Animal Spirits to help deepen your connection to Spirit and Mother Earth. Guided meditation will be used to explore and work with your power animal and other animal spirits. Your power animal can bring you guidance, protection, healing and new information about your life. We will also work with your way of accessing information and your own unique gifts and vision. Finally, you will do a drawing or painting of your power animal and any significant images or symbols from your journeys. Debra Shaffer is a healer, teacher, and artist. She has studied energy work over the past 24 years with psychics and shamans. In this process, she has become deeply committed to her own healing and the healing of Mother Earth. Debra's focus is self-awareness, clarity and balance, reducing stress, grounding dreams, and creating reality.

Grace Institute's Fused Glass Ornaments For The Family
$30 per person, ages 5 and up (All children under 12 must take class with an adult)
Instructor: Jenny Belote Wells
Sat., Nov. 19, 1-3PM, or Sat., Dec. 3, 3-5PM, or Sat., Dec. 17, 12-2 PM

Due to popular demand, additional Fused Ornament Classes have been added. Get in the holiday spirit with your family or friends by taking this fused glass ornament class. Layers of vibrant, luminous glass will create sparkling holiday ornaments that will make your home or tree dazzle with art pieces that will last a lifetime. Each participant can make up to 6 ornaments of assorted sizes, shapes and colors. Finished work is available in one week.

About your Neighborhood Association
The goal of the Sullivan's Gulch Neighborhood Association is to provide a forum for neighbors to work together to make this area more livable. We're unpaid residents and business-owners who meet monthly to plan events and discuss how we can work more effectively together. You're invited to attend our Board meetings held the second Tuesday of most months at Holladay Park Plaza. For details see our website or contact our Co-Chairs, Peyton Snead (50-3-284-8313) and Harrison Pettit (503-249-0996).