Buckman Community Association

Washington H.S. Community Center Talking Points:

Use these if you wish when writing your letter!!

Inner SE Portlanders pay taxes for services and amenities that aren't found in their community

The area historically votes positively for schools and parks, and has little to show for it. This would move towards rectifying that long imbalance.

Community Centers are great. they bring people together, providing healthy, safe havens and programming for children, adults, and the elderly and are dynamic, positive places.

Community centers should be built in communities, close to where people live.

This sensible proposal with its location and community support stands in sharp contrast to higher priced projects with huge, unfeasible yearly operating expensive that can require large public subsidy and bail-out.

The plan provides for a solid return of cash to the School District, deed holders of the property, and Parks and city residents benefit, too.

The Housing portion of the site plan will support the neighborhood goal of increasing home ownership and assist with the City's desire to have more close-in housing opportunities. It will also bring new property back onto the tax rolls.

The plan includes a center that will have a pools for swimming and aquatics programming.
These centers currently exist in outer East Portland, Matt Dishman in NE and Gabriel Park in SW. We've been told by Parks for years that ours is next...and you know what, it is!

A community center for the Inner Eastside has been proposed and included in the Parks 20/20
vision plan, as well as neighborhood and other future looking plans for years. The Washington
High site was always sought after due to its central location and closeness to adjacent
communities. Now, finally with the School District's decision to surplus the property, the
opportunity to realize this dream has occurred.

Many residents of the eastside live are poor or live on limited incomes and can not afford the
high membership fees of private clubs. Parks facilities are affordable, provide scholarships, and
are inclusive, clean, and well run. All of our city's residents deserve services.

Even though the City is facing some shortages, this purchase is smart and prudent. The
payments will be over time, providing the School District with ongoing income and allowing the
City to not have to pay full price upfront.

The Committee recommendations include sustainable building practices and many think this spot is an ideal place for an award winning "green" building.


Community Centers are ground zero in the effort to help stem the plight of families fleeing to the suburbs seeking amenities/services and causing harm to the City's schools by lowering enrollment and school support.

This site, unlike other places where the city has tried to place a community center, enjoys community support for the center with the knowledge that neighborhood impacts, such as
parking and traffic will be addressed and mitigated.

Questions??? Need help?? Contact the BCA at 503-236-2214

URL for

www.sportsdatabase.com/sdb.py/mail_cc

To phone, fax, or send in your letters

CITY HALL ADDRESS BELOW:

Mayor Vera Katz
1221 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 340
Portland, OR 97204-1995
503.823.4120 Fax 503-823-3588
mayorkatz@ci.portland.or.us.

Jim Francesconi, City Commissioner
1221 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 220
Portland, OR 97204
503.823.3008 Fax 503-823-3017
jfrancesconi@ci.portland.or.us.

Randy Leonard, City Commissioner
1221 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 210
Portland, OR 97204
503.823.3589 Fax 503-823-4019
randy@ci.portland.or.us.

Erik Sten, City Commissioner
1221 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 240
Portland, OR 97204
503.823.3589 Fax 503-823-3596
erik@ci.portland.or.us.

Dan Saltzman, City Commissioner
1221 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 240
Portland, OR 97204
503.823.4151 Fax 503-823-3036
dsaltzman@ci.portland