ROSE opens new apartments near PCC

Here’s what became of the defunct furniture, along SE 82nd Avenue of Roses at Division Street …

Across the street from Portland Community College Southeast Campus, an open house is underway at this new development – called Orchards on 82nd – In the Montavilla neighborhood.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

The story of a dilapidated retail building that turned into “affordable” apartments – and is the new home of the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) – began in 2015, when Metro bought the property as part of their Transit Oriented Development program.

APANO and the Jade District Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative had been using the shell of a former building at the site as a multicultural center, until it was torn down in early 2018 to begin construction of the new building developed by ROSE Community Development Corporation (ROSE).

Those involved with the project meet and greet, during the building’s open house celebration.

> CLICK HERE to read our coverage of the building being demolished.
This article links back to others, showing the history of the development.

14 months later, officials and staff of ROSE welcomed elected officials, contractors, and the community to the grand opening of the building, called Orchards on 82nd on April 25.

Telling about their continuing mission of providing “affordable housing” is Rose Community Development Corporation Executive Director Nick Sauvie.

At the grand opening, ROSE Executive Director Nick Sauvie recalled how, working with APANO, his organization became the developer of the property.

“Now, after all of that planning and construction, there are 48 of apartments in Orchards on 82nd that are all affordable, as well as about 5,000 ft.² on the east side of the building for the new offices of APANO, and for their Community Center,” Sauvie told East Portland News.

ROSE was selected to be part of the project, at least in part because of their experience in creating affordable housing, Sauvie said. “We have 12 multifamily properties in our portfolio; and will soon be opening Woody Guthrie Place in Lents Town Center – our thirteenth property.”

At the open house, guests enjoy a wide variety of unique and delicious repasts provided by caterer Chomp! Foods.

Adding to the more than 400 rental housing units that ROSE owns and operates fulfills their mission, Sauvie said. One of the big concerns in the neighborhood is gentrification; another is how the costs of housing are really increasing fast, both in rents and in home sales.

“We really think it’s important to have a bunch of permanently-affordable nonprofit-owned housing, so we can help people who have been in the neighborhood for a long time continue to live here,” Sauvie explained.

Enjoying the grand opening of the building is APANO’s Duncan Hwang.

“We’re looking forward to another grand opening – one for our offices, here at this site, in June,” said APANO Associate Director Duncan Hwang. “It won’t be long until our staff and community space will be open to the public! And we’ll also be offering a services center, and we’ll be able to host community events here in our good-sized Community Room.”

As officials gather for the dedication, Nick Sauvie cuts the ceremonial ribbon. ROSE CDC image

Learn more about ROSE at their official website: CLICK HERE. And, discover information about APANO at their website: CLICK HERE.

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