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Urban Renewal

Urban Renewal

Building Rockwood's future: A citywide vote in 2003 established the 1,211-acre Rockwood-West Gresham Urban Renewal Area. The 20-year Urban Renewal Plan is improving Rockwood's economy and community. It's a partnership among residents, property and business owners, and the City of Gresham.

The Gresham Redevelopment Commission (GRDC) administers the Rockwood-West Gresham Renewal Plan.

Proposed ballot measure

Read the proposed Charter amendment for Urban Renewal

The City Council voted to send a ballot measure amending the City's Charter to voters in November.

Urban Renewal plans are created and governed by state law. But Gresham's current Urban Renewal Charter language differs from state law and other cities. This is a disadvantage keeping the City from creating a more livable community, attracting development that benefits residents, and appealing to businesses to create jobs.

If approved, this measure would amend the Charter to be consistent with existing state law. And allow the City Council, as the governing body charged with the powers authorized by state law, to perform any act or carry out any function to approve or make large changes to Urban Renewal plans.

Rockwood B188

B188 is a redevelopment project at the former Sunrise Center and Asian Kitchen property at the 188th MAX station. This community-focused investment proposes a new school, gymnasium for sports and events, landscaped gathering space, workforce training and small business retail spaces.

Public involvement over past year included public workshops, online engagement via Engage Gresham and participation at community events. Project updates and presentations were delivered at the Rockwood Neighborhood Association, GRDC and GRDC Advisory Committee.

Learn more about B188:  English | Español | Pусский | tiếng Việt

  • What is Urban Renewal?
  • Urban Renewal Stats
  • 2024 Accomplishments
What is Urban Renewal?

Urban renewal is an economic development tool used in over 100 urban renewal areas in Oregon.

Urban renewal does not increase your property taxes. 

How it works

  • It dedicates funds to an identified neighborhood so a city’s urban renewal agency can focus on improving the area. 
  • It is often used to provide infrastructure to help spur economic development.
  • Urban renewal changes how the existing taxes paid on a property are divided out amongst different taxing districts like the City and Multnomah County. 
  • As the value of properties in the urban renewal district increases, money becomes available to use on the projects.
  • Urban renewal in Gresham can provide funding for projects.
Urban Renewal Stats
  • Invested $44.1 million in the Rockwood-West Gresham area.
  • Attracted $179.2 million in private investments. 
  • Added 670 jobs to the urban renewal area through 40 new businesses. Average salary: $62,000 a year. 
  • Generated $161 million in new-business revenue that can be sent back to the community. 
  • Awarded 86 grants to the community that funded business expansion, storefront improvements, construction support, and repairs to apartments to provide 1,652 living spaces that are safe and energy efficient. 

Read the 2020 Rockwood report

2024 Accomplishments

2029 Framework 

In partnership with robust community engagement, staff completed the 2029 Community Investment Framework, which identifies priorities for future GRDC spending. Key investments are consistent with the Renewal Plan and include projects for community safety, economic opportunity, housing, transportation, and community development.

Downtown Rockwood

Downtown Rockwood hosted several events over the year in partnership with the GRDC at the Rockwood Market Hall. Some of these events include: Cinco de Mayo, Kickoff to Summer, Play Ball, Movies in the Park, Rock the Block, the Yamhill Block Party and Reindeer in Rockwood.

Aviva Apartments

Construction has concluded on AVIVA Apartments, the 5‐story commercial and residential building. This mixed‐use development is focused on supporting economic stability and improving access to community services, retail, housing, and public space.

Fire Station 74

Staff have proceeded to work with consultants on initial designs for a new fire station that would replace Fire Station 74. Gresham Fire Station 74 is located within the Rockwood‐West Gresham URA and one of seven fire stations serving the City of Gresham.

Property Acquisitions

The GRDC completed two purchases at 18428-18432 E Burnside and at 18450 SE Stark. Both acquisitions will be incorporated into future redevelopment plans. The property at 18450 SE Stark was formerly used as a custom cabinet and wood shop, and staff are exploring opportunities to utilize the property for community education, training and workshop space.

  • Rockwood Market Hall site plan design
  • Downtown Rockwood buildings
  • Congressman Earl Blumenauer and Mayor Stovall in downtown Rockwood
  • Gresham staff visit Rockwood Market Hall
  • Innovation hub in Rockwood
  • Rockwood MAX Station
  • Exterior view of Boys and Girls Club building
  • Participants at Boys and Girls Club dedication event
  • Migration Brewing facility
  • Dutch Brothers storefront in Rockwood
  • Rockwood Station housing
  • Sandy Boulevard improvements
  • Rockwood Public Safety Facility exterior

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  • Construction has concluded on AVIVA Apartments, the 5‐story commercial and residential building. This mixed‐use development is focused on supporting economic stability and improving access to community services, retail, housing, and public space.

  • The Downtown Rockwood development is creating opportunity in the heart of the community.

  • Downtown Rockwood webcam and construction slideshow

  • Downtown Rockwood's La Villa restaurant opened in 2021 in the Lumen Building. The Rockwood Market Hall under construction, right, is now open. 

  • Congressman Earl Blumenaur and Gresham Mayor Travis Stovall tour Downtown Rockwood at 181st Avenue in 2021.

  • City staff get a progress tour in January from Downtown Rockwood Market Hall Manager Justin Bardwell. The Market Hall is open!

  • The Lumen Building offers support services from a preschool to foster young minds, to workforce training and small business coaching.

  • This urban renewal project with TriMet modernized the Rockwood/E 188th Avenue MAX Station with added safety features and  "Rockwood Sunrise" art. It reopened in May 2011.

  • Open School East brings expanded youth services to Rockwood and revitalizes the Stark Street corridor.

  • The CareOregon Boys & Girls Club at Rockwood opened in October 2017.

  • In 2018, Migration Brewing opened a production facility and restaurant in the Rockwood urban renewal area.

  • Dutch Bros. Coffee in Rockwood after an urban renewal storefront improvement grant.

  • Rockwood Station apartments after an urban renewal rehabilitation grant.

  • Sandy Boulevard street improvements completed in 2021. This public improvement project will attract new industrial development to the urban renewal area.

  • Providing a safe presence, the Rockwood Public Safety Facility opened in 2013 at 675 NE 181st Ave. 

  • Market Hall interior
  • Concept rendering of proposed Rockwood development
  • Kids playing at Friends of the Children facility

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