January 23, 2008

Vanport Square Phase I Celebrates Opening Tomorrow

The Portland Development Commission (PDC), citizens, and project developer Vanport Partners, LLC will celebrate the grand opening of Vanport Square Phase I, 5225 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, on Thursday, Jan. 24 from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm.  The grand opening will include remarks by City Commissioner Sam Adams and PDC Commissioner Charles Wilhoite.
In preparation for the opening of this important project Charles Wilhoite said, “A creative and dedicated group have worked hard over the past many years, and have made Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard a better place.”
This celebration marks the completion of a 42,000-square foot commercial-condominium project that broke ground in November 2006 in the heart of the King Neighborhood.  Led by developers, Ray Leary and Jeana Woolley, the project has involved renovation of the former Marco Manufacturing Building, adding a new office/retail space to N.E. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.
“It is immensely rewarding to finally see a project that you have invested so much energy into for six years become a reality.  Ray and I are extremely proud of the end result," said Jeana Woolley, Vanport Partners, LLC.
Vanport Phase I Opening/ Page 2

The project is registered for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification and is on track to receive LEED Gold.  Up to 70 jobs will be retained or generated through this project.  Fourteen of the 16 commercial condominiums have been purchased and are occupied by local enterprises, nine of which are women-and minority- owned.  The businesses are:

• Living Color Beauty Supply
• Horn of Africa Restaurant
• Vanport Café
• Tran Allstate Insurance
• Laura Carey Design (graphic design)
• Rick Harris Accounting
• Hardshell Restaurant
• Norell Design  (graphic design)
• Avita  (business consulting)

The business owners will also be on hand at the project opening tomorrow. 
Future phases of Vanport will feature additional commerical space and housing.  For more information, please contact Bernie Kerosky, project manager at 503-823-3459 or e-mail.

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