Buckman Community Association

E. Side Esplanade & more

Jul 01, 2001

School is out. The rain has stopped. The lawn has taken a break and is giving me and the lawnmower a rest. Sure signs that summer is really here!

If you have not been down to the river in the last few weeks, the weather is perfect for walking the length of the new East Bank Park, a.k.a. the Esplanade. Start your walk at either the east end of the Hawthorne Bridge or at the Convention Center to see and experience the entire park. Portlands newest and most unique park is fast becoming a destination for runners, walkers, bicyclists and people just casually strolling along enjoying the interesting views of the Westside, which were heretofore mainly available in quick glances from the freeway. Crossing the Steel Bridge and the walking on the floating walkway are two of the highlights which make a visit to the Esplanade worthwhile. A word of caution: pedestrians should be aware of bicyclists using the pathway also and, bicyclists PLEASE SLOW DOWN. This is a walkway not a race track.

At the general meeting of the Buckman Community Association on June 14th we learned of three new businesses opening in our neighborhood. El Hispanic News owned and operated by Clara Padilla Andrews has rented the old Marsh Medical Building at S.E. 12th and Morrison. The newspaper is a bilingual paper serving Oregon and Southwest Washington. The reporters and staff will work on the production of the newspaper at this location, but they will send it off site for printing.

In addition Ms. Andrews is the founder and force behind the SGM Foundation, which will also have its office in the same building. SGM Foundation is a non-profit bone marrow donor education project. This foundation was started by Ms. Andrews after she lost a granddaughter, who might have survived her illness, had there been more information about bone marrow donations at the time, and thus a larger pool of bone marrow donors available. It is Ms. Andrews hope to eventually buy the building from the Portland Developmment Commission so that both her businesses will have a permanent location.

Another new business in the works will be located at the site of the old Nancy J Market on S.E. 12th near Taylor. Tim Harris and Joel Hartzer reported to the meeting plans to open a small pub in the space formerly occupied by the neighborhood market. The establishment Tim and Joel plan will be known as "The Basement." It will serve only beer and wine with a limited menu of prepared food. Work has already begun on remodeling the space and the owners invited everyone present to drop by and see what they are doing. They have talked to some of the immediate neighbors and so far reaction has been favorable. Their intention is to create an intimate neighborhood pub, with a seating capacity of 35, that would become a gathering place for neighborhood resident to socialize. Watch for the grand opening of The Basement sometime this summer.

Hinson Memorial Baptist Church on S.E. 20th Avenue announced at the meeting, that the Church will again sponsor the Annual Neighborhood Picnic in Col. Summers Park. This years picnic will be held on Sunday, August 26th. This has become an annual event in Buckman and a wonderful opportunity for residents to get together with their neighbors and meet new neighbors. If you have never attended one of these picnics, try to get to this one this year. You wont be sorry.

The BCA will have an abbreviated meeting schedule for the months of July and August. We will drop our Board meetings on the first Thursday of the month, and only meet for a General Meeting on the second Thursday of the month. The General Meetings will be held in the meeting room at the Ritzdorf Court Apartments at S.E. 12th and Belmont. The regular scheduled twice a month meetings will resume in September.

Consider this YOUR invitation to attend a your neighborhood association meeting and find out what is going on where you live. We always welcome new people regardless of whether you are a homeowner, a renter or a business owner. If you have an interest in Buckman, you are welcome! Come just to see what is going on, or if you are interested and have time volunteers are always needed to help out with various projects. The next meeting will be Thursday, July 12th beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Ritzdorf Court Apartments meeting room.