Rosewood remodel continues

Find out when this great Centennial neighborhood based community center will reopen …

Workers prepare walls for painting during the remodeling of the Rosewood Community Center in outer East Portland.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

At the last gathering in the Rosewood Community Center last November, friends and supporters learned of an ambitious plan to upgrade the space to better support its diverse programs.

>> Read “Rosewood kicks off remodeling effort”: CLICK HERE.

Shortly thereafter, the main building closed, and the office was moved around the corner of the shopping center and into the small space where the Rosewood Initiative had first been housed.

The project’s general contractor, Motive Space Executive Director Sara, spends a moment with Rosewood’s Jenny Glass.

After checking in on the remodel’s progress in March, Rosewood Initiative Executive Director Jenny Glass said the remodeling effort was on schedule.

“It is really is coming along; at this point we’re almost halfway done putting in new flooring, and the painting should be done soon,” Glass told East Portland News.

Pointing to the two new enclosures in the southern part of the building, Glass described their intended uses. “One of them will be office space, where we will be working with different partner organizations and programs.

“The other room is a computer lab that will house 16 computers donated by Mt. Hood Community College; along with a video projector, tables, and chairs,” said Glass. “That lab will be used with the college, Rosewood, and many partners to do computer training, job searching, resumé building, after-school tutoring, and all kinds of enrichment activities,” she said.

Installing new flooring are Noah Jones and David Fresco from the Tivnu – a program that integrates direct community service with Jewish learning and living, as well as leadership development.

Additionally, they’ve also installed a small soundproof music and recording room, in a partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation, to be used for giving music lessons.

“The front area will be left in an open, flexible configuration, so we can host all the activities that we’ve had in the past,” Glass remarked. “It’ll be a big space in which to continue Zumba classes, events, and big meetings. Whatever we need it for, we’ll make it happen in this big room.”

They plan a “soft opening” in April, and a “Grand Reopening Party” on the evening of May 25.

To get involved, see the official Rosewood Initiative website: CLICK HERE.

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