Happy Holidays december 09 VOLUME 24, ISSUE 4 FREE Serving Portland’s Northwest Neighborhoods since 1986 The urban renewal question Does spiking growth, adding public projects, the question in terms of whether urban renewal would advance the association’s long-established goals, spelled out in the 240’ outweigh the burdens of density? 2003 Northwest District Plan. Height “We have a plan already,” Limit said NWDA Secre- tary Steve Pinger. “If a URA helps Code-compliant option us reach that goal, great.” 6:1 FAR* He asks this question: “Does urban renewal help achieve things that the market wouldn’t, and is that enough of a Pettygrove reason to bring it into being? … If all we’re doing is accelerating the 3:1 FAR* development process, is 65’ NW 21st that a good thing?” Height Since the idea of a Limit new urban renewal area was first floated early Pettygrove proposed concept option in the year, Northwest neighborhood activists have been highly critical of the whole concept, NW 21st Urban renewal will have a substantial bearing on whether the Con- *FAr= from its excesses and floor-area ratio way area develops to the level envisioned by the Northwest District inequities to its unpre- Plan (left) or to perhaps twice that density, as intended by Con-way dictability. One board itself. (The company, which prepared these renderings, recently revised member likened the sys- its position and is no longer circulating the image at right.) tem to pigs feeding at a trough. By allan Classen President Juliet Hyams. “However, it could uation committee created by the Portland But when pushed to take a firm either/ also invite development that does not Development Commission to consider if or position, most neighborhood represen- he siren song of urban renewal fit the character of the neighborhood. It and where a new URA should be formed, tatives here have balked. is calling Northwest Portland, could bring more traffic and residents than a decision expected to be made in mid- John Bradley, chair of the NWDA but the Northwest District our infrastructure can accommodate.” February. Planning Committee, asked its members Association is playing hard to Hyams represents NWDA on the eval- NWDA board members have defined last summer for a show of hands on who get. was definitely opposed to urban renewal While other parts of the proposed T Community meeting and who was definitely in favor. Then he Central City Urban Renewal Area com- asked who was leaning for or against. pete eagerly for inclusion, the Northwest Urban Renewal in Northwest District When hardly anyone took the bait, neighborhood alone is taking a “show me” he finally asked, “Who is completely approach. thursday, Dec. 10, 6 p.m. ambivalent?” “Urban renewal could lead to better jobs, Lucky Lab, 1945 nW Quimby St. Every hand in the room shot up, parks and public amenities,” said NWDA Continued on page 22 mLc crosswalk may be marked at last mikE ryErson inside By allan Classen A Metropolitan Learning Center student was struck and injured by a vehicle while crossing the street at Northwest 21st and Hoyt Nov. 17. The high school student was taken to Emanuel Hospital, where he was treated and released after a short stay. The accident draws attention to a pedestrian safety problem on the other side of the school, where city and school officials plan to address the busy and ill-marked crossing of Northwest Glisan Going lowbrow Street at 20th Avenue. 23Hoyt calls itself a tavern The city of Portland is prepared to place cross- pagE 13 walk markings on the pavement if the school com- Alcohol ban mits to provide ongoing crossing guards. MLC Street drinkers targeted Principal Frank Scotto said he intends to provide Metropolitan Learning Center Principal Frank Scotto directs cars from the school’s the necessary staffing, initially with parent volun- parking lot onto Northwest Glisan Street. Scotto believes a marked crosswalk at 20th pagE 8 Continued on page 10 Avenue near this spot would improve safety. refined inishes f in an Old WOrld VieW The lighTs Of POrTland all Year lOng mediTerranean May the lights of Hanukkah usher in a better world At Christmas, all roads lead home. for all humankind. Sale Pending 7849 NW Blue Pointe Lane This is a place where the entire extended family’s compass will be pointing for the holidays. The huge main-level master suite with luxury bath, dressing room, and laundry could be your own private apartment. 2975 NW Luray Terrace Upstairs are two bedrooms, a full bath, with a spacious family/sitting/ This home is all about light. The interior is bathed in a natural glow, from the office gathering place providing a virtual private apartment for returning high ceilings and the walls of windows to the skylights that brighten every children and grandchildren. (If anyone ever needs it, a shaft engineered to corner of the halls and stairway. And the panoramic view to the north gives you accommodate an elevator that accesses all the levels is currently converted a dead-on view of Mt. St. Helens in the daytime and thousands of twinkling to closet space.) The public rooms are like a Parisienne’s maisonette. lights of the city and the Port at night. The open plan of the living room, dining And the verandas…a view for each person’s fantasy outlook: the Coast room and gourmet kitchen that opens out to the wrap-around deck is perfect Range and sunsets one direction, the Valley another, and a European-style for enjoying and entertaining friends, family…and sometimes just yourself. pergola-covered brick terrace at the center of a magnificent garden and The main-level master suite enjoys the same expansive outlook, and has all orchard at a third. And all this just a 10-minute drive from the attached the comforts of an at-home spa. A large den with tall windows near the front 3-car garage to Northwest Portland or the western suburbs. entrance is a perfect place for an afternoon book or to watch the birds stop for a wintery lunch on the expansive deck. The daylight level holds three bedrooms 3 bedrooms + office, 2½ baths, 3,343 finished Sq. Ft. with the same panoramic river and mountain views and their own full bath. on a 17,000 Sq. Ft. lot $795,000. 5 minutes down the hill lies the fun and festivities of NW 23rd Avenue and, just beyond, the Pearl District and downtown. 4 bedrooms, 2½ baths, 2,898 Sq. Ft. $675,000. PiCTure PerfeCT hallmark Card seTTing “And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!” The 1932 Charming nTer May your walls know joy, may every e room holdTainer laughter, and every window open to great possibilities in the New Year. 1215 SW 61st Court Ever wonder where we get our iconic ideas of home, that end up on Christmas cards and holiday china patterns? Well, this home has those postcard-perfect vignettes at every turn. The living room has a custom- remodeled fireplace that looks like a set waiting for a Pottery Barn holiday stocking photo shoot. The award-winning kitchen remodel provides for 1617 NW 24th Avenue intimate holiday gatherings with friends while the cook can still join in while manning the stove. The big deck with hot tub is a year-round pleasure and The classic cottage shines and glows with the possibilities. It could smell looks out onto a virtual nature sanctuary: songbirds crowd the feeders and like Gramma’s cookies fresh from the oven. It could sparkle with candles mature landscaping, and you expect to see one fly by with a Christmas and holiday decorations. It could feel like Christmas every day of the ribbon in its beak at any moment. A huge master suite with sitting area year. The perfect-sized house for the down-sizing traveler or the busy and light-soaked full bath plus the three other bedrooms provide plenty of professional—all charm, minimal upkeep. The recent upgrades include: “room at the inn” to let everyone be together on Christmas morning. And the shining wood floors, Neil Kelly kitchen, bath, fresh paint inside and out, 4-car attached garage could accommodate Santa’s sleigh plus a few vintage updated plumbing and electrical, forced air gas furnace and AC unit, new roadsters or a Martha Stewart-esque workshop for decorating for the holidays. front Trex porch, Pella windows and highly designed deck and back patio garden. All in all, the improvements open the door to dinner parties, cozy 4 bedrooms, 2½ baths, 2,799 Sq. Ft. on a 0.29 acre lot, 4-car attached garage winter days, riotous spring color and excellent living. Smack dab in the $639,000. heart of Northwest Portland within a stone’s throw of all things practical: dining, shopping, transportation and parks. 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, 1,268 Sq. Ft. + 800 Sq. Ft. on lower level $525,000. The Dan Volkmer Team Dan Volkmer PrinciPal broker burDean barTlem, kishra oTT & anne Yoo, brokers WalTer anD TeD, Too. For your real estate needs in the Northwest neighborhood. Call us to find out your property’s top market value. 503-497-5158 www.danvolkmer.com Anne, Burdean, Kishra, Dan, Walter & Ted 2 northwest Examiner DECEMBEr 2009 Letters can be sent to By Allan Classen [email protected] or 2825 NW Upshur St., Ste. C, Portland, OR 97210. Editor’sEditor & Publisher Turn readerLetters should be 300 words or fewer; include areply name and a street of residence. Deadline third Saturday of the month. ESCO not harmless It was with sadness and concern that I read the November 2009 Northwest Examiner.