Neighborhood Notes Buckman December 2015

By Susan Lindsay

There will be no formal general Buckman Community Association meeting in December, though the Land Use Meeting will take place as scheduled on December 17 at 7 pm in the Multnomah County Board Room.

In lieu of the meeting, on December 10, the Buckman Board invite all to attend the showing of “Joe Cotter’s Buckman Community Mural” a documentary chronicling the creation and painting of Joe Cotter’s beautiful Buckman mural located at 12th and SE Morrison Street.

The film will be shown at Mission Theater 1624 NW Glisan St., at 7 pm, Thursday, December 10, followed by a film about Diego Rivera, who served as an inspiration for Joe’s work. Joe was an exceptional muralist and activist who fought to open the walls of Portland to murals again after the city imposed a moratorium due to a dispute with Clear Channel over large advertisements.

He died of cancer in March of 2012 and the Buckman Mural was his last work. Free admission and all ages welcome. Doors open at 6 pm and we’ll come early to lift a glass to Joe, visit with neighbors and celebrate his life of art.

City Council hearings on the Comprehensive Plan have begun. The proposed plan calls for significant changes to Buckman which could result in incentives for demolitions of existing original housing. In particular, a large area between SE 20th and 17th is proposed to be upzoned from the existing R-5 to R 2.5. This controversial proposal came from planning bureau staff, and has some residents concerned that pressure from increased land values will result in new townhouse replacing Victorians.

Ken Diener, resident at 17th and SE Washington is organizing neighbors in opposition to these changes. Contact him directly at kend@kjdarch.com

Other Comp Plan changes would allow for large scale build up all along on SE Morrison and Belmont between 15th and SE 19th. The Association opposed these changes last March due to the likelihood the increased density would result in the removal of existing housing in exchange for 4-5 story multi-unit apartments renting at market.

The public is invited to attend and testify at the next two hearings to be held Dec. 3rd at the Jewish Community Center in SW Portland and December 10 at Parkrose High School, or to send in comments directly to the Mayor and Commissioners. You can find the draft plan here: portlandoregon.gov/bps/68386.

Neighborhood Notes Buckman December 2015

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