Things are starting to take shape in the Jade District, the 12 block area centered around 82nd Ave and SE Division St, which was designated by the Portland Development Commission (PDC) as a Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative (NPI) district in 2011. This multicultural district already has a vibrant business community, which includes Fubonn shopping center. However, this area has also been historically underinvested in. The Jade District hopes to change that through community driven physical improvement projects aimed at providing a safer and more welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.
Three efforts that have already been successfully implemented are light-pole banners that help create a sense of identity, a community garden at Harrison Park, and a night market that caught the attention and attendance of nearly 20,000 Portlanders this past summer.
And three more projects are in the pipeline for February (learn more below). So whether you’re just a fan of some fabulous Asian cuisine or you want to support the diverse communities of SE Portland with community spirit and creative ideas, this month is a great time to check out the eastern edge of SE Uplift.
Jade Midway Community Connections – Grants available, Workshop Feb. 7th
This spring, the vacant furniture store on SE 82nd and Division, across from the PCC campus, will serve as a hub for a series of creative projects showcasing the diversity of the neighborhood and honoring the existing community’s identity. The organizers of this project are offering 4-5 mini-grants to jump-start these projects.
Grant organizers Linda Wysong and Horatio Law encourage innovative, collaborative and fun proposals, saying, “We are open to all kinds of creative and unusual collaborations. We welcome approaches that facilitate place-making, economic development and community collaboration. Applicants are encouraged to also consider topics that illuminate and engage the Jade-Midway district’s diverse ethnic communities, social justice concerns, gentrification, etc.” Possible projects could look like storytelling nights, dance events, talent shows, and even sporting competitions. Activists, residents, teachers, creative professionals in the arts (artist, filmmaker, designer, performer, musician, etc.), DIY entrepreneurs, storytellers, practitioners of folk art, outsider art, healing arts, culinary arts, martial art and gardening arts who live or work in the area or are interested in the area are all invited to apply.
Interested in a grant and want to meet potential collaborators? Attend a community gathering for curious folks to meet, talk and be inspired to consider collaborations.
Grant Workshop and Community Gathering
Saturday February 7th 10:00 – 3 pm
Jade District Headquarters, 2738 SE 82nd Ave Suite 203B Portland, OR 97266
Lunch provided,
RSVP to: Horatio Hung-Yan Law, horatiolaw@gmail.com and Linda Wysong, indabluehouse@gmail.com
Mini-Grant Request for Proposals
Mini-Grant Application Form, Due February 23rd
See the Jade District through the eyes of a ten-year-old
Jade Journal #1 Release Event
Local non-profit Know Your City is wrapping up a twelve-week collaboration between 5th –grade students at Harrison Park Elementary School and artist Travis Neel. During the course of this project, students researched the history, sociology and changing demographics of their community and neighborhood and met graphic artists, photographers, community leaders and journalists. The result is a student generated newspaper with interviews, stories and photographs. The paper, printed in English, Spanish and Chinese, will have a print run of 14,000 copies, and will be distributed in news boxes around the neighborhood. The event will include readings by the students and a short presentation from the lead educators.
Release Event
February 15, 2015 1pm-3pm
APANO office 2738 SE 82nd
Snacks by Wing Wa BBQ and Voodoo Doughnuts
Every Week is Dumpling Week
Speaking of celebrating your own cultural identity, the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) has been quick to note that of the Oregonian’s 19 Portland restaurants highlighted for Dumpling Week in February, only one of them was east of 42nd Avenue. Therefore, APANO created their own list of favorite dumpling spots in SE Portland. Consider adding one of these locations to your dumpling week passport if you head out to the Jade-Midway grant gathering or Jade Journal Release event!
- Ocean City: 3016 SE 82nd Ave, Portland, OR 97266
- Wong’s King: 8733 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97266
- HK Cafe: 4410 SE 82nd Ave, Portland, OR 97266
- Beijing Hot Pot: 2768 SE 82nd Ave, Portland, OR 97266
- Kenny’s Noodle House: 8305 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97266
- Chinese Delicacy: 6411 SE 82nd Ave, Portland, OR 97266
- Pure Spice (will make dumplings on special request and advance notice): 2446 Southeast 87th Avenue, Portland, OR 97216