Endorsements keep rolling in

Another vote of support—this time from Eliot Neighborhood Association—calls for a map update.

Neighborhoods highlighted in green endorse the demolition/development resolution.

In response to queries, I aim to include a talking point about the resolution or some background about United Neighborhoods for Reform with every post to this blog.

The first:

1. What is United Neighborhoods for Reform?
United Neighborhoods for Reform came about through a series of summits (three) that occurred over the summer and fall of 2014 in Portland, Oregon. Al Ellis, immediate past present of Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood Association, did most of the organizing with help from other Beaumont-Wilshire board members and staff from the Central Northeast Neighbors coalition office. 

Ellis was motivated by the groundswell of concern over the rapid loss of unique affordable housing citywide as well as the new construction that took its place, including how it was performed and its effects.

The summits drew people from 37 neighborhoods, or more than a third of Portland's recognized neighborhood associations, including residents of:

Alameda

Arlington Heights

Boise
Bridlemile

Brooklyn

Buckman

Beaumont-Wilshire

Concordia

East Columbia

Eastmoreland

Eliot

Far Southwest

Grant Park

Hillsdale
Hillside

Hosford-Abernathy

Irvington

King

Lake Oswego

Laurelhurst

Madison South

Maplewood

Mt Scott-Arleta

Multnomah

North Tabor

Northwest
Piedmont

Richmond

Rose City Park

Roseway

South Burlingame

Sabin

Sellwood-Moreland

South Burlingame

Sunnyside

Woodstock

Northwest District Association

Representatives from other groups also were present at at least one summit, including the city's Bureau of Development Services, Hollywood Star, Realtors, Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods, and Restore Oregon.

After the successful outreach effort, United Neighborhoods for Reform took the input and tasked a subcommittee with writing a demolition/development resolution. Although its drafters do not expect City Council to paste the resolution directly into code (does that ever happen?), United Neighborhoods for Reform does ask for serious consideration of its stance and suggestions. As early investors in the neighborhood, property owners and tenants have a vested interest in what rises (and razes) around them. Neighbor input also is the key to more successful development.