Communities Directory: Peninsula Park Commons

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Formed: 2004 Established: 2004

Peninsula Park Commons

Portland, Oregon,

United States

In 1997, a group of folks first got together in a living room in North Portland and talked about what it would be like to have a shared housing situation where everyone had his or her own space but access to common outdoor and indoor spaces and amenities. We wanted the best of co-housing--fun, community, low-impact living, and shared resources—combined with the advantages of privacy and individual homeownership. Eli Spevak and Jim Labbe never let go of the idea, and in December 2002 they purchased Peninsula Park Commons, a 7-unit apartment building located in the heart of the Piedmont Neighborhood at 6325 N. Albina. In the summer of 2004 the property was converted to condominiums and units were sold to individuals/couples/families.

Vision and Values

Peninsula Park Commons is founded on the belief that the health and enrichment of individuals, communities, and the places in which they exist are inextricably linked. In forming the Commons, we are striving to establish a co-operatively governed community where a diverse group of people will share physical and social space, and where the development, decision-making and day-to-day operations of the community reflect our core shared values. We commonly understand these values to include:

- Care and respect for other people

- Care and respect for the earth and its natural systems

- A commitment to cooperative decision-making

- Valuing diversity: diverse opinions, backgrounds and styles

- Respect for the balance between personal freedom, privacy and the other needs of individuals, and the needs of the community as a whole

- Commitment to ongoing personal and community growth

- A desire for connection to the larger community of the neighborhood, city and region

What does this mean for members of the community?

- Conventional ownership of individual condominium units

- Cooperative governance through a condominium homeowner’s association

- Sharing in the maintenance and management of buildings and grounds as equitably as possible

- Creating an environment in which it is convenient to share such items as motor vehicles, home appliances, books, garden equipment, costumes, games, outdoor gear, construction tools, entertainment systems and other things suitable for community ownership

- Creating and participating in opportunities for sharing, trust, and spontaneous fun necessary to build a sense of place and community

To achieve these goals, we...

In 2004:

- Converted one unit for common use as a kitchen, dining, office, recreational and guest space

- Completed the sale of all six units in original building

- Implemented Phase One of a landscape plan that includes a variety of public and private outdoor space, and food production

- Continue to provide opportunities for creative expression to enrich private and community space, including the modification of structures and grounds

In 2008:

- Completed development of the North lot, providing three additional living spaces, shared guest house, bike barn and a more private outdoor common courtyard

And beyond...

- Highlight PPC as an example of fun, affordable, sustainable community living in the Portland Metropolitan region and share our experience with the wider community

- Enhance, steward, and enjoy Peninsula Park

Status: Active

Website: http://penparkcommons.wordpress.com/

Contact:

Jim Labbe
6325 N. Albina Ave. #2
Portland, Oregon 97217 United States

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Last Updated:4/9/2013

Network Affiliations:

Cohousing Association of the United States (Coho/US) [formerly TCN]

Population Adult Members: 14 Child Members: 3 Non-member Residents: 0 Open to new adults: Yes (One unit currently for sale) Open to new children: No Gender Balance: 57% M 43% F Age Focus: No Focus Age Restrictions: No	Government Decision Making: By consensus Identified Leader: No Leadership Core Group: No	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Labor Contribution: Expected Join Fee: No Regular Fees: Yes (condo HOA dues)
Land and Buildings Urban Area: 0.3 acres (0.1 hectares) Land Owned By: Individual community member(s) (condominium ownership structure) Number of Residences: 9 Cohousing: Yes	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 1-5% (Active courtyard garden) Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual	Social Factors Open to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender members: Yes Restrictions on Romantic Relationships (between consenting adults): No Shared Spiritual Path: No Educational Style(s): Public schooled

Cohousing Details

Cohousing Status:

Completed

Year Completed:

2008

(Renovation of 1938 building completed in 2004; new construction adding 3 homes plus bike barn and guest house completed in 2008)

Number of Units:

Square Feet in Common House:

500

(Plus 250 sq ft for guest house and 400 for bike barn)

Architect:

Communitecture

Developer:

Eli Spevak and Jim Labbe for renovation; Orange Splot LLC for new construction

Commercial Lender:

Bank of Portland

Click an image to see it full size.

Become an Editor Current editor(s): ficraines, elispevak, jcarothers

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