Multnomah County's proposed Health Department headquarters is located in Portland’s oldest and most historic commercial and cultural neighborhoods: Old Town Chinatown. It faces a busy transit corridor that includes MAX Light Rail, the Greyhound Bus Station and the Union Station that houses Amtrak.
In 2016, Multnomah County invited representatives from nearby businesses, agencies and residents to join the Neighborhood Involvement Committee. The committee meets to maintain communication with the County, resolve problems and work together to improve safety and livability throughout the project.
Representatives from Greyhound, Union Station businesses, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Old Town Chinatown Community Association, Portland Patrol, Transition Projects Inc.,Tri Met and a Health Department client are engaged.
The committee met in February 2016 and for a second time June 24, 2016 to hear updates on the design process and schedule. A subcommittee plans to meet this summer to finalize the Good Neighbor Agreement. An Open House is scheduled in the fall.
The historic district lies on the west bank of the Willamette River in Portland where the Burnside Bridge meets downtown Portland. It includes the New Chinatown/Japantown Historic District and the Portland Skidmore/Old Town Historic District.
The area houses some of the region’s leading civic, cultural and community organizations including the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, the Japan-American Society of Oregon, Northwest China Council,Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center, the Lan Su Chinese Garden and Portland Saturday Market.
Other public organizations include the University of Oregon, Port of Portland and theState of Oregon Department of Transportation.
Many Multnomah County partners also work providing human services in Old Town Chinatown including Central City Concern, Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare and Transition Projects, Inc.
Multnomah County understands the Old Town/ Chinatown community’s desire to establish balance and stability in the neighborhood and it committed to involving the public in the process.
For more information, contact the Multnomah County Communications Office at communications@multco.us.