Thursday, December 6, 2012

Marylhurst U. Assists Local Economic Development

Marylhurst University sponsors entrepreneur workshop

 
Marylhurst University will help budding entrepreneurs learn more about the benefits and challenges of starting a business from scratch by hosting an all-day career development workshop Jan. 26 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $25 to $45.  Participants will learn how to apply their strengths and capabilities in key areas of entrepreneurship, as well as identify and capitalize on the attributes and traits of successful innovators.   The workshop includes a panel discussion and breakout sessions with entrepreneurs Dana Alexander, owner of Alexander Connections, LLC, Shelley Gunton, chief make it happen officer at Chez Marie, Inc., Kathy Long Holland, owner of Long-Sherpa Design and Steve Morris, executive director of the Oregon Technology Business Center.
 
Contact lbrown@marylhurst.edu This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
 
Marylhurst University is located at 17600 Pacific Highway 43. For more information contact Lynn Brown at 503-699-6271 or email
 
-Thomas

Thursday, November 29, 2012

December "First Monday" Meeting, Next Week.

December Meeting of the Robinwood Business Association
Monday, December 3rd, 2012 - 8:00am
 
Starbucks Coffee - Robinwood
Cedar Oak Shopping Center

Next week... is our regular monthly "First Monday" Meeting. As usual, this will be a typical open forum discussion among local Business Owners.  I have invited Shelley Straitiff to join us. You may have read about her recently in the Oregonian. Shelley is a West Linn entreprenuer with exciting ideas for promoting local home based businesses. I have also invited, the City's new Economic Development Director, Chris Kerr.  I will also try to get newly elected Councilor, Thomas Frank to attend as well.  It should be a very interesting discussion.

Please bring your questions and issues for discussion, along with business cards to share other local business owners. See you there.

Thomas Boes PARTNER|PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT
Gerber+Boes Architectural

Monday, November 5, 2012

RBA Meeting Summary

Here's a recap of today's RBA  Meeting ...
 
We had a larger group than ever for a regular RBA Meeting.  I hope we attracted permanent interest from engaged local Business Owners who want to be informed and involved in the evolution of our Community.  One thing's for certain, change is inevitable.  Being engaged is the best way to ensure that change is an improvement.  Thank all of you who contributed your time this morning. Thank you especially, Scott and Amanda Stein for the use of your space, coffee and snacks.  Your daughter was an adorable addition to the group.  I for one appreciate the family component of any endeavor.  Corporations are people!  In fact, they are families.
 
The discussion by LOTWP was very informative.  Despite my request that this meeting be for Business Owners only, we did have vocal opposition residents in attendance.  One thing I wanted to make clear to everyone was that the meeting was "informational only." Impacted businesses wanted to know details of 'proposed' construction and potential impacts. The issue that sparked the meeting was a statement being circulated to the Robinwood businesses in person and via their commercial websites asserting that local businesses were going to be devastated by the LOTWP's projects. Some opponents of the project have threatened local businesses with a boycott if they don't join their opposition to LOTWP's plans. Obviously that attitude has sparked wider concern and not only about this issue.  It fosters more serious trepidations about the nature of West Linn's business environment as a whole. As my own business looks to relocate back to West Linn from Oregon City, I must take pause and reflect on the greater impact of misdirected animosity of a Neighborhood infamous for its volatile activism.  I know I'm not the only one. 
 
As Chair of the Robinwood Business Association, I invited Lake Oswego's, Jane Heisler, to attend our November Meeting. Please understand that these RBA Meetings are short and concise in order to maintain participation by people who have a business to run. An hour just is not enough time to have a debate. Only LOTWP can provide details about their proposed actions so they were invited to provide those details and answer related questions. The RBA does not maintain an opinion on the merits of the proposed project, only its actual Commercial impact. It does not advocate, lobby, or advise its members or local leaders.  That being said, I thought opposition advocates were quite respectful, asked good questions and made valid points. We thank them for that. 
 
The most important point that came out of the meeting had to do with certain traffic impacts from Plant construction itself.  As proposed, construction on Highway 43 will take place evenings only between 2014 and 2015.  That will have minimal direct impact on businesses in general, with the exception of restaurants like Bugatti's, MacDonald's, Burgerville, and Philadelphia. The more significant impact will come in the form of construction traffic related to actual Plant renovation. That will occur throughout the day and continuously for a longer period of time. Increased truck traffic hauling out spoils and returning, will be channelled primarily through the CedarOak Drive intersection and in both directions.  That kind of imposition will no doubt create snarls and congestion at all nearby intersections with the impact being, longer delays at traffic signals at CedarOak and Hidden Springs, and redirected local traffic through Mapleton,Wailing, Fairview, and Marylhurst. 
 
What was not clear, is the long term benefit to be realized by the short term disruptions.  As business owners, we're savy to the benefits from improvements to infrastructure.  Amanda Stein made a great point when asking if businesses will indeed see relief from taxes and SDC's from revised franchise agreements between West Linn and Lake Oswego and reciprocal benefits to West Linn's water system and supplies?  The City of West Linn needs to confirm those benefits (if they exist)... even guarantee them for Amanda and others. For Businesses in general, the question of economic impact goes both ways.  Business Owners, like Residents and other Property Owners, will brook temporary disruptions if the end product yields a vastly improved Community environment consistent with a thoughful long term vision.  For us that benefit would be a more lucrative and competitive commercial district with frankly more beautiful and family-friendly (read:local customer friendly) streetscapes.  Clearly, what we Business Owners want to know is...
  1. What are the City of West Linn's Goals with regard to the Robinwood Business District and...
  2. How does LOTWP's proposed project provide synergies that bring all participants closer to a common vision. 
I think its safe to say, the RBA is in agreement with the Planning Commission in that regard.  Perhaps its time for a Robinwood Plan and a committment from the Mayor and City Council to realize that vision before any major projects are considered in that area.
 
All in all, I thought it was a good discussion, and I hope it was for all of you as well. If you could not attend, please post your question, comments or concerned here or at the Facebook site to help encourage deeper discussion, and hopefully get some answers.
 
For more information, check out the links below.  I encourage anyone who is interested to get involved by attended Robinwood Neighborhood Association (RNA) Meetings, COWL Council and Planning Commission Sessions and of course, join us for coffee the first Monday of every month and be part of the Robinwood Business Association.
 
Thank you!

Thomas Boes PARTNER|PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT
Gerber+Boes Architectural
 
Links:

Sunday, November 4, 2012

November 'First Monday' Meeting TOMORROW

November Meeting of the Robinwood Business Association

Monday, November 5th, 2012 - 8:00am

Premier Martial Arts West Linn
Across from Wells Fargo in Robinwood Center

Due to the the concerns expressed by local business owners, the Robinwood Business Association will welcome representatives of the Lake Oswego Tigard Water Partnership to provide information about potential construction and disruptions associated with Renovations at  Lake Oswego's Robinwood water treatment plant on Kenthorp Drive. This meeting is for business owners only, please. The RBA is affiliated with the West Linn Chamber of Commerce and as such takes no position for or against the proposed project. We'll keep it short, informative and concise and be done by 9:00am.

Special thanks to Scott and Amanda Stein who graciously offered the use of their establishment for this meeting. 

Please bring your questions and concerns for discussion, along with business cards to share other local business owners. See you there.

Thomas Boes PARTNER|PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT
Gerber+Boes Architectural

Monday, August 27, 2012

September Meeting - Rescheduled

September Meeting of the Robinwood Business Association
Monday, September 10th, 2012 - 8:00am
Starbucks Coffee - Robinwood
 
Due to the Labor Day Holiday, The September Meeting of the Robinwood Business Association will be held the SECOND MONDAY of September rather than then first.
 
Topics of discussion will include: New Businesses, Business of the Month, Next Month's Arch Bridge Opening Celebration, Lake Oswego-Tigard Water Partnership Construction Plans, West Linn Economic Development, Chamber of Commerce Update...  among other things.  Please bring your own topics for discussion, along with business cards and introduce yourself to other local business owners.
 
See you there.

Thomas Boes PARTNER|PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT
Gerber+Boes Architectural

Monday, May 7, 2012

May First Monday - Monday, May 7th, 2012

The May Meeting of the Robinwood Business Association is Monday, May 7th 2012.  We meet as usual at Starbucks in Robinwood. 

AGENDA TOPICS INCLUDED:

Review Previous Minutes
Local Business Update

· Openings/Closings/Pending
· Wal-Mart Schedule
City Business Update
Economic Development
Masterplan: Status update
Other
· Membership: Mailers looking for funding
· Marketing: Adopt a Highway progress, Press Release pending
· Outreach: Linking with Bolton BA

· LOT WP Construction: Jane H. to present next month to the RBA
· Social Media: FB and Blog
Next Steps
Close
We'll post the Meeting Minutes soon.


See you there.

Monday, March 5, 2012

March, "First Monday"...

We held the March Meeting of the RBA this morning at Starbucks, Robinwood.

AGENDA TOPICS INCLUDED:

Review Previous Minutes
Local Business Update

· Openings/Closings/Pending
· Wal-Mart
City Business Update
Economic Development
Masterplan: Status update
Other
· Membership: Mailers
· Marketing: Adopt a Highway, Press Release
· Outreach: BA's, NA's, City Council
· COC Business Directory: RBD Listing
· LOT WP Construction: Progress, Contact (Jane H. or Libby Barg)
· Social Media: FB and Blog
Next Steps
Close

We'll post the Meeting Minutes soon.


The Robinwood Business Association is dedicated to making your business, our business.
Next Meeting: Monday, March 5th - 8:00am Starbucks Coffee

As usual if Starbucks is too crowded, we'll move the meeting over to MacDonald's.


Thomas Boes,RBA Chair