City Repair is organizing its annual Village Building Convergence, an event which brings together a community in an attempt to better a neighborhood, both visually, functionally, and communally. Past projects have included community gardens, sidewalk art installations, intersection murals, and sidewalk seating. 
You can find more information about City Repair, and the Village Building Convergence here: http://cityrepair.org/vbc/. This year, 10 sites will be selected to participate through an application process. The current theme is, “Intersection-Reclaiming the Crossroads.” If you can think of an intersection, litterally or figuratively, in the Foster-Powell neighborhood that you feel could benefit, or would provide a good opportunity for such a project, please leave a comment. The deadline for applications is January 29, so please do not hesitate to post your ideas. Again, only 10 sites will be selected, so we must offer our best choice within the Foster-Powell neighborhood.
… one of the corners around Kern Park, or something in Kern Park? it’s such a sweet little space, but perennially a little run-down. It seems like if it were just a little more inviting, it could really be a neat community hub.–JT
Kern Park has very interesting cross curves if you look at it from a satellite view; seems like a good park for the “Intersections-Reclaiming the Crossroads” theme. Also: it’s near the geographical heart of fopo.Here’s the google satellite view: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&source=hp&q=Foster%20Powel,%20I%20think%20about%20natural%20intersections,%20where%20animals%27%20migration%20patterns%20overlap.%20That%20might%20not%20match%20the%20″> Strange code… just cut and paste…When I think of Intersections, the first thing that pops to mind is the natural overlapping of animals migration patterns. Then again, that might not match the “Reclaiming the Crossroads” part. Unless we take a cool David Attenborough-ish stance to nature.
Kern Park is a great idea. What’s more, the city has identified Center St. as the ideal road for a bike boulevard. In the next year, speed bumps will be added and stop signs will be turned to slow car traffic down Center, while also encouraging bike use with “bike right-of-way” symbols painted on the pavement.I also thought the vacant lot next to Kern Floral on 67th and Holgate could use some sprucing up. A lot of traffic goes by, but maybe too fast to appreciate something like this. The corner of Laurelwood Park, too, could be nice.
I do like the idea of improving Kern Park, adding some more community space. Like maybe some kind of small pavilion in the grassy area, with a few covered benches or picnic tables.If we’re talking about projects at actual intersections, I would suggest multiple sites spread across the neighborhood. Looking at the map, I think three would be perfect. The projects would all be different but connected by a common theme. There would be maps at each site, to encourage visitors at one location to visit the other locations, thereby exploring the neighborhood and maybe meeting some new folks.
Hi folks,Love that you’re thinking up ideas for a VBC site!I want to correct a slight misunderstanding — we accept all projects that are proposed, and work with them to clarify their goals, etc. We typically go into the season with 24-30 projects. If any of you want to take the next step with one of these ideas, come to our public meeting on Feb 4, 6:30PM, at the St. Francis office building. Directions are on our web site, cityrepair.org/contact. Ideal: host a neighborhood potluck over the weekend and drum up some ideas before coming to our gathering.Neighbors who wish to improve a Portland city park are encouraged to be patient while the city makes up its mind, and have another project in mind to complete this year. Projects do not have to be in intersections — that’s just the theme for the overall VB Convergence this year. We encourage any project that will increase a local community’s interaction and exchange.Take care,MiaVBC Coordinator ’10
Why just the Foster-Powell area? I’ve got a great intersection on 22nd and NE Wygant.