1) Mediation with Hazelnut Grove ends unsuccessfully
2) Register to vote for November special election
3) Mississippi Avenue fund raiser for Columbia River Gorge
4) I-5 Rose Quarter improvement project public forum (Sept. 28)
1) Mediation with Hazelnut Grove ends unsuccessfully
The Overlook Neighborhood Association participated in mediation efforts with the Hazelnut Grove homeless camp and the Village Coalition all summer in an attempt to develop a good neighbor agreement that could serve all sides. As part of that mediation process, participants agreed not to engage in outside conversations with the city about plans for the camp and other items being discussed in mediation.
At the last mediation session, it was revealed that Hazelnut Grove and the Village Coalition had violated that ground rule and sought to conceal it from the neighborhood. Given that willingness to violate agreements, the mediation team no longer believes that Hazelnut Grove and the Village Coalition are negotiating in good faith. Mediation has therefore concluded.
Jamey Duhamel, Commissioner Chloe Eudaly’s policy director, confirmed that they city was developing a deal that excludes the neighborhood.
Since the camp formed two years ago, Overlook has sought to be a participant in conversations about how to serve the homeless community while ensuring the health and safety of the campers and the neighborhood. This is just the most recent effort to cut Overlook out of such conversations.
The mediation team regrets that the process has ended without a good neighbor agreement. We hope that the city and Hazelnut Grove will reconsider and engage in a good faith effort to develop a safe course forward.
Click here to read the press release about the end of mediation, and watch the news coverage in the video below.
2) Register to vote for November special election
A special election will take place in Multnomah County on Nov. 7. Voters will be asked to approve a property tax increase for Portland Community College.
The voter registration deadline is Oct. 17. Check to make sure you are registered, update your registration information or register to vote on the Oregon Secretary of State’s website.
Once registered, you’ll be all set for future elections until you move, including upcoming Portland City Council elections in the spring and legislative races next November.
3) Mississippi Avenue fund raiser for Columbia River Gorge
Historic Portland Mississippi Avenue businesses are coming together on Monday to support the Colombia River Gorge in response to the devastating Eagle Creek fire. Participating businesses will donate a percentage of sales and supplies from the entire day to Friends of the Columbia Gorge to support relief efforts.
Participating businesses include: Ecliptic Brewing, Gypsy Chic, Crow Bar, Paxton Gate PDX, Verde Cocina, :: Flutter ::, Trailhead Credit Union, Flex & Flow Yoga, The Rambler, She Bop, Gravy, Mississippi Pizza Pub, Another Read Through, ReBuilding Center, Radar Restaurant, Beacon Sound, Black Wagon, Stormbreaker Brewing, Widmer Brothers Brewing, Pistils Nursery, UCHU, Miss Delta, Spin Laundry Lounge, ¿Por Qué No? Taqueria, Gumbo Gifts & Gallery, Moloko,Prost! Portland, Interurban, The Herbe Shoppe, Sunlan Lighting, Stash Tea, PDXchange – Fair and Square, and No Bones Beach Club – PDX (which will be closed on Monday and donating a percentage of sales from Tuesday instead).
4) I-5 Rose Quarter improvement project public forum (Sept. 28)
The Oregon Department of Transportation and the City of Portland want to hear from residents. They will host a community and neighborhood forum on Thursday to discuss the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project.
The forum, which is open to the public, will offer opportunities to:
- Hear an overview of the project
- Ask questions and give comments about the improvements
- Discuss project opportunities and issues
- Find more ways to engage with the project
Click here to learn more about the project in advance of the forum.