Beaumont Crossing is Open for Your Community Event!
Calling all Beaumont-Wilshire community members! You are encouraged to schedule community events through September at Beaumont Crossing, the trial public plaza on NE 44th at Fremont Street. For event and activity ideas, visit the webpage for the Concordia neighborhood’s public plaza at concordiapdx.org/upcoming-events.
The plaza is open to all, there is no fee for most community events, and the application process is simple! To get started visit portland.gov/transportation/planning/plazas/community-events-plaza.
Beaumont Crossing barriers and furniture will be removed at the end of the trial period in late September, followed by an assessment period during which co-sponsors BWNA, the Beaumont Business Association, and the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will reach out to residents, businesses, and community members to understand the effects of the plaza. If this assessment proves positive, there would be an opportunity to re-install Beaumont Crossing as a full-fledged member of PBOT’s plaza program in spring 2027.
Send any questions or comments to the BWNA Plaza Committee by emailing plaza@bwnapdx.org. To view scheduled plaza events, visit the BBA’s calendar page at bbapdx.org/calendar.
NAYA Reveals Early Ideas for Bethany Lutheran Property
Uncertainty about development plans came with the earlier announcement that the Bethany Lutheran Church property at the corner of NE Skidmore and 37th had changed hands from the Oregon Synod to the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA). At BWNA’s June general meeting, NAYA representative Sky Waters provided some clarity, confirming that NAYA has no plans to seek a variance from the property’s existing zoning. The site, which will be dedicated to elder housing, is zoned R5, which allows for detached houses, row houses, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, cottage clusters, and ADUs, all with a maximum height of 30 feet.
Waters indicated NAYA is likely to pursue cottage clusters, but he emphasized that planning is in its early stages. And, while 14 to 18 units are a preliminary goal for the site, Waters said that could change. Parking is not a requirement at the site as a result of 2019 Oregon legislation. However, Waters said NAYA wishes to be a good neighbor, and the group will need to learn more about its parking options. For more information about NAYA, visit nayapdx.org.
Little Griddle to Be Not So Little
An employee of the business confirmed the rumors are true: Little Griddle, the popular, postage stamp-sized brunch spot on NE 42nd Avenue across from Beaumont Middle School, is growing. The recent closing of Beaumont Florist left the shop space directly adjacent to Little Griddle available for expansion. Look for a winter opening and more about what’s happening there in a future BWNA newsletter.
Women’s Gen X Social Group Takes Off
Beaumont-Wilshire resident Karen Burnett recently appealed to Gen X women in the B-W and Alameda neighborhoods to gauge their interest in shared social activity. She reported that 25 people responded in the affirmative. Feedback received revealed that common interests are walking/hiking, game nights, and dining out.
There’s still time to jump in! Gen X women interested in joining with the goal of building community, supporting local businesses, and making new Gen X friends, please email portlandeastsidesocial@gmail.com to be notified of upcoming events.
Fusion Curry Pizza Moving to NE Fremont
Maybe it was the signs in the windows that gave it away? Additionally, according to a late June post in the blog What Now Portland, Fusion Curry Pizza is moving from its Hollywood District location to 4831 NE Fremont Street, #4. This space formerly housed Pizza Nostra. An employee at Fusion Curry’s current location recently confirmed the move-in date will be the first of September. For more information visit fusioncurrypizza.com.
Jim & Patty’s Coffee on Fremont Closes… Again
A July 12 Facebook post by the business sprang the news that the resurrected version of beloved coffee shop Jim & Patty’s had closed, just a year after it re-opened under new management. No cause was given, but the Facebook post mentioned, “As for the Jim & Patty’s space at 4951 NE Fremont, we don’t know what the future holds. It’s possible it will become another location for Spielman Bagels.” We’ll provide more information as it comes our way.
Stolen Cars at East End of Beaumont Village
Lori Johnson-Vance, owner of Body Image Fitness on Fremont near NE 50th Avenue, reported to BWNA that in mid-July, two different tenants of apartments adjacent to her business had their car stolen. The business owner took it upon herself to install cameras rather than wait for the property manager to do so. She reported that one family got its car back but it had been “joy ridden” and heavily damaged; it’s not known whether the other car has been recovered.
Lori joined in BWNA’s August general meeting via Zoom to share her story with board members and meeting guest City Councilor Elana Pirtle-Guiney. The councilor stressed that money for police detectives to investigate crime had been slashed this year, but some of that funding will be reinstated next year. “Enforcement is the most effective way to cut down on these crimes,” Pirtle-Guiney said.
Beaumont Middle School Band Wins Award, Seeks Donations
Beaumont Middle School (BMS) Band Director Cynthia Plank announced that the BMS school band, the Beaumont Jazz Ambassadors, received national recognition from DownBeat magazine. The band was the winner of the magazine’s 49th Annual Student Music Award for Large Jazz Ensemble in the Junior High School category.
The 2026-2027 school year will be Plank’s last after 24 years in her position. As a final hurrah, she is asking for help in funding the students’ effort to attend the Reno Jazz Festival that starts April 29 next year. Plank stated all donations are tax deductible, and all contributions will go directly to fund the trip. To donate visit tinyurl.com/23wcfpxj or scan the QR code.