‘Jade Mixed-Use Project’ breaks ground

Find out about this new structure, coming to outer East Portland, that will provide housing, a community center, and office space …

For the last time before the old building is demolished, a crowd fills the former furniture store that became known as the Jade/APANO Multicultural Space.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Within weeks, the long-closed furniture store on the corner of SE 82^nd Avenue of Roses and Division Street – across from the Portland Community College Southeast Campus – will be demolished.

In its place will rise the “Jade Mixed-use Project”, featuring 48-units of fully-affordable, transit-orientated, and family-focused housing.

Guests sign in for the event that signals the beginning of the Jade Mixed-use Project.

To learn about the background of this project, see our article about a meeting held on March 7 at the space itself, “APANO/Jade Project’s design emerges”, which also includes links to previous articles about this development: CLICK HERE.

At the November 2 “groundbreaking ceremony” – with no actual earth to overturn, the event was strictly ceremonial – ROSE Community Development Corporation (ROSE) Executive Director Nick Sauvie recalled the organization’s involvement over the past two years.

Talking to guests, ROSE Executive Director Nick Sauvie was clearly pleased that the project is now underway.

“When the Request for Proposals went out, ROSE applied, and was awarded the contract,” Sauvie told East Portland News. “Over the past year, we’ve been working to put the financing together and creating an approved design, which included an extensive community involvement process, listening to what the people say they want to see here.”

In addition to the affordable housing units, Sauvie said there will also be new offices for the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO), and a Cultural Center.

Selecting delicacies from the buffet prepared by Thai Fresh is Ronault LS (Polo) Catalani, from the City of Portland’s New Portlander Policy Commission.

“So it’s really exciting to get to this point, and start to build in the next couple of months. These are exciting times for ROSE,” enthused Sauvie. “We all know what kind of housing pressure moderate income families are facing here in Portland; growing our portfolio by almost a third will help ease that pressure, and it’s also a big leap for us.”

Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon Executive Director Reverend Joseph Santos-Lyons spends a moment with former Jade District Board member and PCC President’s Council member Anita Yap.

“This project is restoring ‘place and space’ for immigrants, refugees, and people of color, here in the City of Portland,” commented APANO Executive Director Reverend Joseph Santos-Lyons at ceremony. “These people have often given so much to our society, and so much to our economy, but don’t always have places to call home; this will give them a place to gather and connect with one another while they also connect with in the neighborhood and with the community.

“This is a very happy day; looking around at faces with really big smiles is a privilege for me,” Santos-Lyons added.

With picks and sledgehammers in hand, officials pose for a photo to commemorate this project’s ceremonial “groundbreaking”. Photo by Ana Meza

Construction is slated to begin in December, 2017, and completion is projected for January of 2019, making it a 14-month project.

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