Blogtown, PDX

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Politics Breaking News: Sam Adams’ Office Moves Forward on Live/Work Spaces For Artists

Posted by Scott Moore on Thu, Jan 18 at 12:30 PM

After months of work to fulfill one of his most prominent campaign promises, Commissioner Sam Adams’ office has secured property in the Montavilla neighborhood to build a low-income live/work space for artists.

Adams’ office is working with Beam Development, the Portland Affordable Housing Preservation Trust, the Regional Arts and Culture Council, and Works Partnership Architecture to develop a vacant five-building complex at NE 82nd and Oregon—the former Baptist Manor retirement home.

Currently, the complex has around 150 units, but Adams’ plan is to “rehab” the property to create performance spaces, a dining facility, and shared equipment space. Half of the property is currently zoned for a live/work space, but the other half will have to undergo a zoning change, which Adams’ expects to have finalized by April.

More information on the project, including artist renderings, should be available in February. Meanwhile, Adams’ office is working with the Montavilla neighborhood association to get their input on the project.

During the 2004 campaign, the Mercury forced city council candidates to present five promises for improving arts in the city. These were Adams’:

- $15 million in five years for arts funding
- Deriving arts funding from conveyance of street easements and workplace matching contributions, and develop specific endowment funds (i.e., for independent film and video producers)

- Public and private partnerships to build 100 new affordable live/work rental spaces

- Develop arts as a tourism magnet

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Comments

yay! But ne 82nd? Low income usually means no car. But whatever, it's not gresham.

Posted by gabrielamadeus | January 18, 2007 1:13 PM

It is near public transit.

Posted by Scott Moore | January 18, 2007 1:23 PM

true, but as someone who would be very interested a work/live space, I would like to live in the midst of the city's hubbub or in a neighborhood with community.

gimme the inner se industrial dammit!

but I'm being picky.

Posted by gabrielamadeus | January 18, 2007 2:41 PM

Montavilla is a neighborhood that has a community and lots of great little shops, and even an affordable movie theater. You should go check out the neighborhood before you dismiss it so easily. I think this is a great fit for that neighborhood.

Posted by rww | January 18, 2007 2:46 PM

I realized this, too. The street 82nd just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I retract my statement until I venture into the boondocks and explore this quaint neighborhood.

Posted by gabrielamadeus | January 18, 2007 4:19 PM

82nd is also home of the 'new' Chinatown (which turns out to be Pan-Asian). I love Montavilla and all the great/weird shops on Foster.

But then again, I also like Gresham.

A couple of questions for Scott:

Who gets to decide what an artist is?

How are they going to keep non-artists from renting (how will they dodge the charge of housing discrimination)?

I think a better plan would be to ease the restrictions on tenants living in warehouses.

Posted by stephen cleary | January 18, 2007 5:37 PM

Gabrielamedeus:

I appreciate your sentiments regarding inner SE industrial. Sadly, the writing on the wall suggests that this beloved center of bohemian DIY-ness may cease to exist, at least on anything resembling an affordable level within a few short years.

I could picture Disjecta and Audiocinema sticking around awhile, but the reality is that particular playground is almost a victim of its own charm- for years its been the place that got overlooked, a perfect breeding ground for musicians, screenprinters, etc, etc to hang out and thrive for years and years, all right across from downtown (and adjacent to Punk Rock- a fine place to drink 40s outdoors along the river with your friends undisturbed, pre-esplanade, of course).

Now, it's what everybody who moves here wants, and will pay good $$ for.
Don't worry, 82nd can be 30 min from downtown (+/-) by bike if you know what you're doing.
BTW, there are still plenty of killer warehouses dotting the eastside,waiting for folks to make something cool on their own. The hubub in this town is where you make it, always has been.
Cheers!

Posted by rrpiper | January 18, 2007 7:33 PM

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