Well, Rockwood is only 20 blocks away from the Portland City Limits at 162nd. Where exactly does the rubeness start?

I am sure Gresham will put this urban renewal idea up for a vote, since the PR already is claiming it is a good idea.

The Old Complaint: The east side is being ignored and all the redevelopment projects are happening in central Portland.
The New Complaint: My God, the redevelopment projects are coming to the East Side! Save Us!

What will the next complaint be?

How about:

These ugly condo buildings are really out of place here!

Homer lied!

The City of Gresham has no money for basic services!

And others...

Google aerial view of spot where "ugly condo buildings" would be out-of-place:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&ie=UTF8&ll=45.520034,-122.471638&spn=0.002499,0.005413&t=h&z=18&om=0

It may be run down, but you're a fool if you turn it over to Homer and Dike along with millions from the taxpayers.

Per the article: For the next two or three months, the commission and the developer will be part of an "exclusive negotiating agreement."

Gresham won't work with other developers on the project. Williams & Dame will study the area and come up with development concepts for the city to consider, Ocken said.

If both like the outcome, they could sign a development contract.

In other words, the usual level playing field.

Maybe Matt Brown will show up with a new pack of falsehoods.

I owned a home and lived in Rockwood for 17 years. I got out in the nick of time, but not until paying $13,000 for the sewer installation (for a house I bought for $42,000). I shopped at Rockwood Fred Meyer every week. My neighborhood was full of hard-working lower-middle class families just like mine. Yards were well cared for and neighbors knew each other. I loved my home. Rockwood was destroyed by government interference. First came the emphasis on Section 8 housing, followed by more and more and more apartments. Pride of ownership became rare. Things started vanishing from my yard. Then came MAX and its roving bands of thugs and thieves. No wonder Fred Meyer packed up and moved out. I wish anyone well that wants to improve Rockwood, but I suspect this latest "development" is simply a grab for money.

Oh, Lord, I thought this was some sort of Bojack joke before I opened up the article and read the thread.

Lots of people from that part of town have said to me more or less what Molly just said, some much more nastily.

Well, there has to be somewhere to dump the poor, you know ? This place is not going to remain a small city much longer.

If this band of brigands manages to hoodwink the citizens into another series of boondoggles and scams, well, that won't be any big surprise. This is Multnomah County, after all.

If this somehow gentrifies Rockwood, which I do not believe to be physically possible at this point, well, where are we then gonna stick the ghetto ? Perhaps the end of the new rail spurs into Clackamas and Milwaukee ?

.... well, where are we then gonna stick the ghetto ? Perhaps the end of the new rail spurs into Clackamas and Milwaukee ?"

Well they promised us a Portland that was European in style. And I believe that far out in the burbs is where the poor live in Europe. It seemed that way in Paris anyway.

Greg C

And I believe that far out in the burbs is where the poor live in Europe. It seemed that way in Paris anyway.

no, in Paris most "poor" live in urban areas. it has its own ghettos.

Good thing those condos are mostly contrete boxes, that will stop most of the small arms fire. They might have some problems with the 7.62x39 AK rounds, though.