Montavilla Neighborhood Info

marisa on Friday, April 23, 2010

From MNA President Brian Wong:

Spring time is here, so Montavillans are taking to the streets. At April’s Montavilla Neighborhood Association meeting, there was no shortage of opportunities for residents to appreciate the neighborhood at the street level.

To remove pavement for the sake of agriculture, Thatcher’s and Montavilla Neighborhood Association contributed to the community garden project at Vestal Elementary. Vestal celebrated the gardens official grand opening last month. And to make walking the streets a more visually pleasing experience, Kelly Moore and Habitat for Humanity contributed supplies to the Graffiti Abatement Project. Volunteers painted select areas last month despite the weather. Many thanks to the businesses and individuals whose contributions make the neighborhood a better place for all.

In addition to street activities like parades and block parties, the MNA was treated to a presentation on a subject near and dear to many neighborhood hearts: unimproved streets. Two Portland State University graduate students, in collaboration with SouthEast Uplift, shared findings from their study of the issue in the nearby Woodstock neighborhood. Residents either love them or hate them. Those that love them state that unimproved streets calm traffic and add rural character. Those that hate them state they cause access, aesthetic and drainage problems. Both sides agree that it is inequitable that some street maintenance costs are covered by the City, while others have to pay both taxes toward street maintenance and pay for their own street. It is estimated that the cost to improve a street to “City Standards” would be $20 to $100 thousand per affected homeowner. MNA argues that maintenance, despite standards, should be a shared cost. More information at www.roadwaynotimproved.com.

If you’re interested in this issue – and many are – it will be on the agenda for the MNA’s June 14 meeting, 7:30pm, 232 SE 80th Avenue, Montavilla United Methodist Church. Your ideas and your insights are, of course, cordially invited.

In the meantime, if you’re interested in a calmer, less contentious way to experience the streets, the Mt. Tabor Art Walk takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, May 15 and 16. The walk features 40 artists displaying at 24 sites, and it’s free. For more information, please visitwww.mttaborartwalk.com.

Finally, to take a break from the streets and enjoy the park instead, plans are underway for Montavilla Kids Festival on August 28th. Carnival and game booths open at 5pm. At dusk, a movie will play. All this will take place at Montavilla Park at 82nd and Glisan. Contact Brian, wong.brian[at] yahoo.com, 971-221-4718.

MNA would like to thank the many volunteers and supporters that help make our association accomplish the many varied needs and activities we undertake. Here are three things you can do to help:
1. Make a donation.
2. Volunteer for an MNA sponsored event.
3. Serve on a committee or board.

Outreach Committee, which oversees the website, newsletter, social media accounts, creates outreach literature, is recruiting three committee persons to help provide enhanced content and methods to outreach to our diverse community. Volunteers are asked for a three month commitment, 6 to 10 hours a month. We are looking for creative, flexible people to help support our grass root efforts and raise awareness. Brian, wong.brian57 [at]yahoo.com, 971-221-4718.

Land Use and Transportation Committee, monitors zone changes, land and design reviews, city code amendments, is recruiting two committee persons. Montavilla Neighborhood Association is ready to take a real hard and earnest look at its unimproved streets. This issue is complicated, expensive, and is layered in inequity. Committee members are asked for a three month commitment, 8 hours a month. We are looking for energetic, fluid persons that can help navigate the multiple government bureaus for answers and help organize workshops. Lew, lewscholl[at]msn.com.

Liz Sullivan, Sustainability Chair, is looking for volunteers to help collaborate on creating sustainable projects for the benefit of the neighborhood. Looking forward to the nice weather and creating something sustainable for all to share in. Contact Montavilla.Sustainability [at]gmail.com.

All above committee’s meet on the 4th Monday of every month, 232 SE 80th Avenue, Montavilla United Methodist Church, 7pm-8pm.