2003 Demographics Change Again

What happens to a neighborhood when people aren't paying attention?  Who imagined that all of the talk of the "New Columbia Villa" would create another substantial impact on Rockwood?  

In 2003, Columbia Villa in North Portland was fraught with issues, and it was announced that a new Columbia Villa would be created.  This required relocation of the tenants to other housing options elsewhere.   But people in Rockwood weren't paying a lot of attention - then.

In 2003 a new population entered Rockwood that seemed out of the ordinary.  On 182nd and SE Stark black prostitutes appeared.  It wasn't long until the police started dealing with new gang issues they didn't see coming as black gangs started interacting with the other gangs that were already here.  It was also not uncommon to see the positive sides of the new ethnicities entering Rockwood with many black families and children in our neighborhood.  What did NOT follow this new population into Rockwood was the support services for these new families nor the resources needed when a whole new population is added ALL AT ONCE.

Please don't take this as a racist observation, as it is NOT at all.  But it is once again about another population that was taken for granted as it entered Rockwood.  In 2003, when I was volunteering at the Back To School fair, where we provide free school supplies to the local children  I was approached by the middle school vice principal of Reynolds Middle School.  He was puzzled by a huge new population in the school that was never expected....mainly black children...who arrived on the first day of school unprepared with little to no supplies.  Mr. Biggs explained that this event was helpful but couldn't meet the need.

I had researched the relocation plan from the Housing Authority of Portland and it had detailed that schools would be informed of the relocation and resources would be put in place to support the children at their new schools.  Upon further discussion, I learned the school was not even informed.

The document here is not the document I read in 2003, but as close as I could find....HAP Policy 
page 25 ... "HAP is working with the local schools, as well as with Multnomah County’s school-based support service program to provide the specific services and counseling that may be necessary to ease the move for children, regardless of whether or not they change schools. "

This new population entered Rockwood without considering the needs of the population nor its effect on Rockwood.  Rockwood is a neighborhood rich in cultures, but cultures who grow here naturally develop the services over time as the population grows.

The black population that was relocated in Rockwood did not have access to the services they had in North Portland.  Their places of worship were not available in East County.  Those things that mean community to them did not exist in East County.  The services available to low income residents who left a low income apartment community did not come with them.  Now, in 2012, we do have an African American church meeting at Harold Oliver School.  It's finally a start!

Without the appropriate services for this new population both the new residents and the community were left struggling to adapt.

Rockwood Gets Incorporated. Where IS Rockwood exactly?

Up until 1987 the Rockwood area (and areas further east and west) was considered unincorporated Multnomah County.  The County Sheriff and the local fire district served the area, but Gresham and Portland didn't. 


As mentioned in the first Rockwood history blog, Rockwood looked at forming its own city at one point but was eventually incorporated half into Gresham and half into Portland to support the infrastructure of new sewer systems to be required in the area. 


There are many theories/stories of blame to go around on how all of this affected Rockwood.  And in most cases I don't have facts to back these theories up.  However there were social consequences along the line and I have no idea of knowing if Rockwood had formed its own city, or if Rockwood had not been divided whether the social changes would have been affected.


Arguments:


1) When Rockwood was separated into two cities it was on the outer edge of both cities and didn't receive the attention that the rest of these cities received.  When Rockwood was incorporated, neither City took a proactive approach to welcome the residents, plan for infrastructure and work on livability issues.  It was like a forgotten appendage and did not receive equal capital funds for improvements etc. 


2) When Rockwood was separated, the unity and identity of the area separated with it.  No longer was it a community in of itself.  Portland set up a neighborhood association with a boundary at Portland's line.  Gresham set up a neighborhood association with a boundary at Gresham's line.  Services to the neighborhood changed.  The Gresham area of Rockwood has a Portland mailing address, which confuses MANY issues (more later) because many businesses and residents still are confused if they live in Portland or Gresham.


3) Neither "old" Gresham residents nor "old" Portland residents have been willing to accept Rockwood as being part of their City, and has always been negatively portrayed by both areas.


This editorial in the Gresham Outlook illustrates and affirms these attitudes still exist:
http://vvvvvv.portlandtribune.com/go/43-opinion/18954-lets-welcome-rockwood-as-part-of-gresham

FM cont'd and Food for Rockwood Residents

In 2003 when Fred Meyer vacated, so did many residents of the apartments in the Rockwood "Triangle."  Those that had found the location as a convenience for travel without cars and those whose interests were sustainability, found they couldn't be sustained in Rockwood. (See future blog on residents/housing issues of Rockwood.)

When Fred Meyer announced they were leaving, many renters in the local apartments gave their notice as well.  The "walking community" and mass transit community no longer were available and the promise of drawing these characterstics faded.

One of the customers who melted my heart the most was an elderly blind woman (who lives in the triangle to this day). She was very distraught as her abilities to travel were limited and accessing a grocery store outside the neighborhood would require her to find new forms of transportation and begin a new learning curve on how to access basic services.

I started a letter writing campaign at that time and asked Fred Meyer to not abandon Rockwood and leave this negative message to taint the neighborhood.  This led to over 50 letters sent to Fred Meyer executives and a small rally outside the store, only leading to more negative words from the executives, but plenty of support from store staff and disappointed shoppers.

As mentioned in the previous blog, other stores inquired about the spot (yes, Walmart was one) but Fred Meyer had no interest in giving up their ten (or was it twelve) year lease they still held.

In 2007 Mauricio Alvarez opened La Tapatia - a limited grocery store across the street from the Fred Meyer site offering groceries to the community.  Many convenience stores serve the local community.

Apartment residents have spoken to me about apartments in their complexes where neighbors can buy conveniences for cash.  Items such as laundry detergent, ice cream bars, milk and sugar were available by knocking on the neighbors' doors.  Upon first hearing this I was impressed by the entrepreneurial spirit of these neighbors to make additional money by offering their neighbor's these commodities.  However, this may or may not be tied to a bigger problem called "theft for resale."  Grocery stores everywhere are suffering from theft rings where common items are being stolen from their stores, disappearing slowly but surely.  Common items in theft for resale are baby formula, cleaning supplies etc.  This is not a problem unique to Rockwood, but clearly resale is much easier in a neighborhood where these commodities are in demand. 

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/09/northeast_portland_mom_four_da.html
Many groups have taken on the issues of providing food options to the Rockwood community where apartments are abundant and most serve lower income populations in the current environment.

WHY ARE THERE FOOD ISSUES?

On limited incomes and without traveling convenience, many families have few options for groceries and shopping for common needs in Rockwood.  Food stamps are often used at the local 7-11 and quick mart.  A food stamp budget buys much less food at convenience stores than average grocery stores.  Take into account the types of foods that are being purchased for family meals at these stores.  Basic nutrition needs are rarely met. 

A small community garden is in place on approximately 194th and Yamhill.  We Are Oregon, a local organization, began organizing a food co-op system and distribution.  These resources remain limited in the community.  Traveling to a full service store on the Max line, going East offers nothing.  Going west, the Max line will eventually get you to a grocery store but not conveniently.


.

How Fred Meyer SCREWED Rockwood

It is 2012

It was 2002 when Fred Meyer broke up with Rockwood. Their spokesmen made their nasty comments that have echoed and been etched in the community for years like nasty gossip does.  The words of the nasty break up still are repeated by others regularly and have certainly affected the ability of Rockwood to start a new courtship with it's reputation becoming more damaged.

In 2002 the headlines read, "Fred Meyer Leaves Due to High Crime in Rockwood."  Just last week I was standing in line at the bank and listening to 2 gentlemen behind me speaking, "...well you know that the crime is so bad here even Fred Meyer had to give up on this community..." as the other man nodded his head in agreement.  Go online and do a search for ROCKWOOD FRED MEYER and you can pull up these assertions on at least ten different comment lines, as this discussion is still alive in 2012.

The FIRST rotten step from Fred Meyer was the assertion that Rockwood is a high crime area and using that as their reason to leave.  I only wish I had all of the documentation on that information that I held back in 2002.....

The reasoning was challenged back then by many... those in Fred Meyer Corporate who spoke anonymously, and definitely plenty of workers within the store.  It was pointed out that the store was not a full service store and that the profits were not as high so the store was planned on being closed for that reason; it was pointed out that none of the security measures that were in place at ALL other Fred Meyer stores were added to the Rockwood site, because the determination had been made to close before and no further capital costs were to be added.  For a store with high crime, it was noted that this store implemented none of the crime deterrents added to the other stores, which would of course have had an effect.  It was noted that other stores in North Portland had just as high/higher of theft rates. But the reason stated by those  "in the know" was Wood Village Fred Meyer was not getting the traffic they had wanted and WinCo had moved not far down the street. It was determined that by closing the Rockwood location - which was not a high volume store - they may be able to increase sales at Wood Village.

1.) Thank you Fred Meyer for tainting the reputation of Rockwood forevermore with your self-serving thoughtless and irresponsible public relations message. Fred Meyer turned the responsibility of leaving from their shoulders by forever condemning a neighborhood instead.

BUT THEY DIDN'T STOP THERE!

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-94834390.html

 FRED MEYER HOLDS PROPERTY IN ROCKWOOD HOSTAGE....

When Fred Meyer closed their doors in 2003, they held a long term lease on the property.  They were locked into a lease where most assumed they would sell to the first offer.  But Fred Meyer/Kroger drove the stake in deeper as they refused to entertain offers from any business that was similar to theirs.  Though the neighborhood needed a grocery store, Fred Meyer turned away any offers from such amenities.  Fred Meyer was much more concerned about their competition moving into the neighborhood and potentially affecting their stores in Gresham/Wood Village and 148th and SE Division than doing the responsible thing for the Rockwood community.

Behind the scenes, the development staff at the City of Gresham heard new interest of buyers, but could not get Fred Meyer to let their lease go - instead leaving an empty eyesore in the middle of Rockwood.

This land was "locked" until the City used Urban Renewal funds to acquire the property.

But was it too late?

BIG CHANGES IN ROCKWOOD....

In  September 1986 the Max/Light Rail System was built that traveled through Rockwood and on to Gresham.  Did the light rail bring crime to the area as some believe?  In my opinion, it was a culmination of many factors, which we will discuss throughout the history....(SEE LATER BLOG ON "The Rockwood Identity Crisis.")

In 1987 the City of Gresham and the City of Portland incorporated areas of Rockwood in order to fund/regulate the new requirement of a municipal sewer system from septic tanks. Did the separation and incorporation of the Rockwood community into the cities of Gresham and Portland create the issues in Rockwood as some believe?  More factors... as we will discuss further.....

THE MAX TO GRESHAM/NEW DEVELOPMENT....1980s

Apartments in Rockwood were built throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s. WERE TOO MANY APARTMENTS BUILT?

As the Max came to Gresham, I believe Rockwood became an even more DESIRABLE place to live.  Those who didn't want to drive cars to town now had great options.  Apartments filled the area and stayed rented.  Renters could walk to the Max station to make it either direction in and out of town.  Fred Meyer was a "one-stop" shopping center that was within walking distance.  The "Rockwood Triangle" offered everything within a convenient walking distance with garden center, bowling, shopping, max travel, burger king.... you name it. Over the years some of these conveniences waned, with the most devastating blow coming with the convenient one stop shopping center.

In 2002 Rockwood Fred Meyer left our community, leaving behind a large empty town center, discouraging words and no handy shopping area for those in the local apartments.  As neighborhood conditions changed (i.e. loss of a grocery store which took away the walkability for those without cars) the apartments ended up being a liability.  So the question becomes, whose fault is the failure of the areas businesses, apartment complexes and neighborhood?

Is it light rail's fault for going in, when at the time it wasn't a crime draw, but perhaps they didn't plan into the long term effects?

Is it the County's fault for, when it was still an unincorporated area, failing to develop wisely?

Is it the City of Gresham's fault for, when inheriting the neighborhood, not having the foresight to realize what the future would bring if proper standards and changes weren't implemented?

Is it Fred Meyer's fault for leaving Rockwood high and dry?

More to come.  :)



Other Perspectives:

 http://bojack.org/2012/06/lake_o_apartment_bunkers_would.html (see after first 9 comments to get to Rockwood info)  /what do i disagree with?  Because the City of Gresham planners were not in charge of the apartment developments in Rockwood at that point.  This area was not incorporated until 1987....

http://ti.org/antiplanner/?p=3239

History of Rockwood

So this blog is going to go way beyond "coffee talk" because "coffee talk" so often turns into "Rockwood Talk."  And there are so many misconceptions and theories about Rockwood out there, that I am hoping with each post I can reflect the facts AS I KNOW THEM.

Before I would have said I will share "the facts."  However, at least one of my facts has been challenged.

Let me start with the "old" Rockwood talk...stories from the long time residents and the recollection of what Rockwood "used" to be.....

Rockwood was an up and coming neighborhood built up with new homes for the middle income class in the late 50s and early 60s.  Ranch houses were the theme of the time.  Many long time residents purchased their house in 1957 -1964 as the neighborhood was growing.

Rockwood was by no means a dirty word....Rockwood represented families and children, a little white suburb with parks and the Rockwood Parade put on my the local businessmen's association.  Many of these elderly people remain in their homes today - for various reasons.

The local plaza at the corner of SE 182nd and Division (Rockwood Plaza) held grocery stores, drug stores, clothing stores and everything you needed for your family.  Fred Meyer himself had picked a wonderful visual location for a new store, at the dividing line of two busy streets - Stark and Burnside.  Raising families in a nice ranch home with a nice sized yard was good.  The home on 182nd that is now the Centennial Transitions Center was once the home of a mink farmer, who owned much of the property around.

Rockwood didn't belong to ANY city. The elders from the area recall NOT wanting to belong to the City of Gresham or the City of Portland.  They were proud of their area and didn't want to "ruin" it.  They were proud of their fire district 10 - the best - they thought - around.  They gathered to start their own City of Rockwood.  But the City of Portland and Gresham also formed an independent committee to determine the future of the area with the new sewer system coming aboard.  Gresham took half, Portland took half.   It was an unincorporated area of Multnomah County until 1987 at which time what people knew as Rockwood was then divided between 2 cities..(See upcoming blogs on "the identity of Rockwood.")

Some of these elderly members chose to still live in the houses where they raised their families.  It is reported that  many children of these elderly residents don't wish their parents to live in the neighborhood anymore.  But they do, and don't have any plans to leave until they are carried away. But Rockwood isn't the same in the eyes of the elders.  Of course it's not....and not convenient for elders with no convenient shopping locations or amenities easily available any longer.

Then there's another group of the old residents that don't live here because of choice, but because when the neighborhood started getting a reputation and home values were lower, there homes were not ones they could sell and make enough money to upgrade to another neighborhood.  So, those with fixed incomes remain and add to the colorful mix that makes up Rockwood today.  In some cases their children remain here after inheriting the homes.

1986 - Light Rail
1987 - Incorporation

I'm Back! With so many more updates!

Every day I know it's time to start writing again.  Every day a new thing happens and Park Place Coffee in Rockwood that needs to be noticed.  So, let me start with today ... a beautiful and busy day at Park Place Coffee.  Today, my daughter Kelsey and I were working together.  A ragged, lost looking man passed the cafe on his way into the park next door and Kelsey noticed him.

I told Kelsey his story as I knew it...This young man became homeless probably a year and a half ago, as I remember.  He was clean cut at the time and approximately in his early 20's.  I recalled to Kelsey that back in those days he would wave and smile when I saw him.  I would give him muffins after they had reached their shelf life and he was always thankful.

My daughter said that was very sad and asked if I offered him muffins anymore, since he didn't look young and looked "out of it," she wondered if he needed some help.  I told Kelsey I do not offer him muffins anymore.  That many of the homeless, once they look like they have become drug addicts, I tend to disconnect.  I gave her the comparison a friend once told me...."what's the difference between a regular drug adddict and a meth addict?"  A drug addict will steal your wallet.  A meth addict will steal your wallet and then help you look for it. When someone looks like a meth addict I don't believe their conscience remains and I don't want to be their victim.

Kelsey was holding back tears as we watched him wandering in the park.  She said that was too sad and thought it wouldn't hurt to still try.  Half an hour later, he went walking by the cafe.  I grabbed a blueberry muffin and ran out the door to greet him.  I held out the muffin and said "we have extras, would you like one?"
"No thank you," he said in his disoriented voice.  I am sure he no longer remembered me and I am not sure what kept him from accepting the muffin... but he walked on.

When I came inside, my daughter was fighting back the tears.  "He didn't take the muffin?" she asked.  "No.  And I doubt he even remembers who I am."

It's a side of life that most people don't see, and a side that my daughter who drives her Mercedes and is in her 20's doesn't like to see.  I don't like to see it either.  But it's a reality in every corner of every community.  And it's sad to see people give up.  I, like Kelsey, used to try to save them all.  And I hate to think I have been hardened or have become skeptical.  Kelsey renewed my hope today and so I delivered the muffin.  I only hope and pray for those who have given up, that an answer comes.  And hope and pray that those who have not given up yet, will find a reason not to.

God bless this young man and so many others like him...