Meeting Minutes

First Meeting of Kernside – Summary

Date: January 11, 2025Location: Rose City Guitar

Time: 12:00pm

1. Kernside History (Thomas, Lone Fir Fitness)

• Origins of the area:

  • Stark Street was originally Baseline Road, a key wagon track across Oregon.

  • A milestone in Lone Fir Cemetery marks the second milestone of Baseline Road.

• Development phases:

  • 1880s: East Portland merged with Portland; bridges and streetcar lines (Montavilla line) boosted commercial development.

  • Early 1900s: Laurelhurst development by the Olmsted Brothers; originally a planned community with restrictive (and racist) rules banning commercial activity.

  • Most residential buildings along the street date from this era.

• Neighborhood identity project:

  • Graphic designer created a neighborhood map/poster with business listings and historical sections.

  • Plan to combine map and "passport" concept with QR codes linking to historical podcasts.

  • Three historical sections: Wynkoop (current location), York (north of Glisan), Castle Ann (south of Ankeny).

2. Security Discussion

Business owner experiences:

• Nicole, Treehouse Salon: Recurrent fires by houseless individuals; success with Portland Street Response (PSR) and repeated reporting.

• Eddie, Bridgetown Aikido: Break-ins and graffiti; proactive cleaning helps; minor issues with unhoused people using outdoor spaces.

• Amber, Rose City Guitar Co.: Safety during COVID and recent incidents; faster police response in recent years; questions about scope of Portland Street Response.

Portland Street Response Overview (Caroline, PSR):

• Function: First-response program addressing nonviolent incidents outside, staffed by EMTs and mental health crisis responders.

• Scope: De-escalation, medical stabilization, resources/referrals; cannot force anyone to move or interact.

• Aftercare: Community health workers and peer support specialists follow up for long-term support, shelter, or treatment referrals.

• Hours & Response: 7 days/week, 8 a.m.–10 p.m., 20–40 min response time.

• Access: Call 911 for PSR. Non-emergency line may be slow and is not prioritized.

Additional resources for unhoused individuals:

• Day shelters: PDX St. Loves (Montavilla), BHRC (downtown).

• Quaker Meeting House on Stark (lunch and clothing 5 days/week).

• Sunnyside Showers (open showers at church).

• Winter shelters (men’s and women’s via Salvation Army).

• Mental health crisis: Project Respond, Unity hospital, county drop-in clinics.

Discussion:

• Community coordination and outreach can help guide unhoused individuals to appropriate resources.

• Considered cost of private formal response patrols (max $21k/year for 7 days/week coverage).

3. Business Collaborations & Events

• Current collaborations:

  • Lone Fir Fitness + Migration Brewing / Moonshot / Vino: stamps for happy hour discounts.

• Proposed events:

  • Pizza week, progressive dinner, street fairs (June–July).

  • Potential outdoor film series.

• Planning & logistics:

  • Need volunteers to form teams for permits, coordination, and outreach.

  • Colin (Migration Brewing) shared experience with permitting street closures.

• Neighborhood engagement:

  • Rainbow Road activation: ideas for performance space, stage, local musicians, comedy.

  • Amber and Rebecca coordinating with community artists and groups (Curbside Serenade, Don’t Tell Comedy).

• Marketing & tourism:

  • Contact Travel Portland for promotion opportunities.

  • Side Street Arts created a brochure highlighting local art venues.

Adjournment