For nearly 7 years, Eliot residents have wondered what the future is for the building that housed the Cleo-Lilliann Club for many years. At the corner of N Williams & Monroe, it was a fixture for social gatherings in the neighborhood until closing in 2001. Since that time, it has sat vacant and been a target for taggers as no real estate deals apparently have been worked out between owners and potential buyers.
Blog
Get ready for Recycling Roll Carts
New recycling roll carts are coming to Portland neighborhoods between May and July. The heart of the new system is replacing the two yellow recycling bins currently used with a single roll cart. All material currently placed in the yellow bins can be combined in the roll cart, except glass. A lid keeps recyclables dry and sturdy wheels make the cart easy to set out. The carts also are easier and safer for trash haulers to collect, since mechanized trucks can tip the carts into the truck. Glass should be placed in one of the remaining yellow bins.
Building Green
Around the Neighborhood…
I recently found out that the Irvington newsletter has featured a column of the same title (Around the Neighborhood) for several years. Apologies to Dick Levy, but I decided to keep using this title anyway.
This column is for Earth Day, April 22nd. One of my pet peeves in the land use/development world is how politicians and businesses get away marketing themselves as “green” when they are anything but. Recent articles have extolled how “green” Oregon and Portland are. Also, several recent housing developments in Eliot have made the same claim. The combination finally set me off.
Tony Green Orchestra at Waypost
On an unusually cold Friday in April we were deciding what do do with our Friday night. We had already narrowed it down to two choices – go to Waypost and see the Tony Green Orchestra perform or go to McMenamins Kennedy School and see the movie Juno. We decided to go to see Tony Green and it was a great choice.
Dawson Park Master Plan
George Lozovoy from Portland Parks and Recreation presented the Dawson Park Master Plan in April at the Spring General Membership Meeting.
The master plan gives future planners a guide for updating the park. The plan is not a guarantee of implementation but instead a direction depending on funding.
Alu Opens
Eliot Neighborhood has a new wine bar and lounge to add to it’s growing list of places of to hang out. The wine bar quietly opened their doors about 6 weeks ago.
According to the menu Alu refers to the aluminum finish on the side of the building. Inside, Alu has a good variety of wine, beer and a German inspired menu created by chef Sandro di Giovanni.
Youth Summer Camps
Kids can experience action packed camps filled with exciting activities this summer at Matt Dishman Community Center. While attending they will build cooperation confidence and teamwork skills while making new friends.
Board Meeting Minutes 2008-03-10
LUC Minutes 2008-02-18
Developments on Hold
The real estate slump is hitting Eliot, gently so far. Two major developments have been put on hold for now including The Kaiser Group (Ben Kaiser, architect/developer) projects at Fremont and Vancouver and the planned development on the Wonder Bread site across the street.
Central City Concern’s Ramada Inn
Central City Concern is moving forward with redevelopment of the old Ramada Inn at the Rose Quarter into workforce housing. At least that is what it is supposed to be. Recent news articles indicate it is being used for a shelter for homeless women and is planned to host Hopper Detox.
Street Car Routes
The city has undertaken a comprehensive look at potential new streetcar routes. This process is a first step to identify possible routes potentially as a way to begin a longer term planning effort to designate preferred routes and plans to expand the system. Two routes through Eliot were identified, the Williams/Vancouver couplet and MLK.
Interstate Development Plan
Development along the Interstate Max line has not met expectations thus far, so the City asked Planning staff to look at the current zoning to stimulate it. Staff held an open house in the fall to provide a first look to area residents. Gary [ENA Chair] and I both attended separately. However, we both came away with the same impression, namely there was not a lot of support for the proposal.
Emanuel Hospital Expansion
Emanuel Hospital has announced plans to expand its children’s wing and add a large new parking structure. The expansion follows that of other area hospitals and will allow the hospital to eliminate shared rooms and a small increase in the number of beds. The new wing will occupy a surface parking lot.
Eliot Neighborhood 