The Portland Parks and Recreation Bureau has initiated the next phase of the Washington High School Community Center project. The scope of the project is to develop a new community center in inner-southeast Portland that will serve people of all ages and abilities and accomodate a wide range of activities that promote health and wellness, arts/culture and social interactions. The center components will be determined through feasibility studies and market analysis. The design will likely include a community center, an aquatics center, outdoor recreation facilities and parking. The land purchased from PPS by Portland Parks and Recreation includes 4.5 total acres on the Washington/Monroe High School site (An L-shaped area at SE Stark and SE 12th, not including the High School building). You can view the Advisory Committee report from 2004 at http://www.portland online.com/ parks/index. cfm?c=49531&. It’s the basis for our continued efforts.

Portland Parks and Recreation has convened a Project Advisory Council to develop recommendations for the Director of Portland Parks and Recreation, Nick Fish. We held our first Open House last week and expect to hold two more before September, when we draft our recommendations. I would love to hear your ideas!

Thanks,
Liz Gatti
kittyrock@earthlink .net