Editor’s note: For months, a “For Lease” sign marred the iconic façade of the beloved “Dutch Village” building on NE Fremont Street and 41st Avenue, long a symbol of Beaumont Village (and inspiration for the BWNA logo displayed in the upper left-hand corner of this newsletter), until the property was finally purchased in the early fall from B-W neighborhood business couple John and Cleo Rumpakis by Darren Stowell, principal at TS5 Properties. So who is this new owner, and what are his plans for the building?
How long have you lived in this area? We (Jodi and I) have lived in the Grant Park neighborhood for almost 12 years. We moved here in 2007 and started our family in 2009, which now includes our three kids (Isaac, 10; Levi, 8; and Bea, 5), who all attend Beverly Cleary School.
What does your neighborhood mean to you personally? This neighborhood is truly our home. When we moved here, we knew it would be an area that we would grow into. This is the neighborhood where we experienced our early years of marriage, and now it is the place where we are raising our family. We are committed to continuing to invest in our neighborhood, because we care and plan on being here a long time. Our kids are also very familiar with the shops on Fremont and look forward to Fremont Fest every year.
What prompted you to purchase the Dutch Village building? It is an amazing building! I really enjoy investing in neighborhood assets that are truly a part of the community. I own a handful of properties on the inner east side of Portland and really enjoy the process of getting to know the neighborhood, understanding what the building needs, and putting time and resources into revitalizing and restoring historic buildings. This historic building is an exciting project for me, and I look forward to carrying on the tradition that Cleo and John Rumpakis started.
What plans do you have for the Dutch Village building? My vision for the property is to revitalize the building by creating a true mixed-use community through restoring the second floor to its original use as apartments and bringing in a few new ambitious tenants. I look forward to working with the community, the Beaumont Business Association, and the Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood Association to create a vibrant corner that continues to serve the neighborhood. I will also be exploring putting the Dutch Village on the National Historic Registry.
We’ve seen Fremont Street evolve a lot in recent years—new shops, restaurants, and mixed-use buildings generating new interest in the neighborhood.
How do you envision Fremont Street further evolving in the coming years? My hope is that NE Fremont Street continues to grow and become a destination spot for the surrounding neighborhoods. I am excited about the new businesses and buildings that have come in, as I think they have brought some new energy to the street. I really believe there is more room for growth, while maintaining the history, feel, and culture of the area. I look forward to being part of the efforts to continue that growth and bring in more new businesses that provide the neighbors what they are looking for.
Darren is speaking at the BWNA Board Meeting on November 11, which, as is the case with all BWNA meetings, is open to the public. See the Calendar of Events, BWNA Meetings, on page 3 for time and place.