Civic Neighborhood in bloom

Along with spring’s blooms so is the vision for the Civic Neighborhood, one of Gresham’s core commercial centers.

Like tulips, projects are perking up all around the neighborhood. Heralding in a new era of growth and economic development.

New beginnings

Curious about that big crane? It’s not every day we see one in Gresham. The East County Library, funded by Multnomah County, is under construction.

The crane, visible from Gresham Butte to Burnside, signifies the neighborhood’s progress.

It’s just one of many exciting projects in the works in the Civic center.

Live, work, play, dine, shop

Civic Neighborhood is home to Gresham Station, a regional shopping center with national retail, food, medical and office tenants, housing, Wy’East Way Trail, and City Hall.

“For me, I’m excited to see the community’s vision for the neighborhood coming to life,” said City Planner Mary Phillips.

Much of what is envisioned for Civic is an active, connected neighborhood, she says. With its sense of place defined by community gathering places and green spaces connected by walking paths across the neighborhood.

“Seeing this at the new Civic Drive MAX Station plaza, and soon at the new library, is quite exciting. Especially if what is built at the Kmart site can continue and connect with these spaces.

“It’s also wonderful to see the amount of housing going in to make the neighborhood an active and vital place. Particularly since there are numerous units being built to specifically meet a wide range of income levels and support the housing needs of a greater number of Gresham residents.”

Read more about Civic Neighborhood.

New East County Library

Construction is humming along on the corner of Division Street and Northwest Eastman Parkway. Check out this fly-through preview of what it could look like when it’s finished in spring 2026.

Learn about the new library on Multnomah County’s Building Libraries Together.

The work on the library continues the move by the City and partners in the community to develop underutilized properties in the Civic Neighborhood. The goal? To provide better connections through the neighborhood and build much needed housing and services.

Kmart property

Thanks to our elected partners, City Council and staff, Gresham was awarded $7 million in state and federal funding for a variety of projects.

This includes $3 million to pay for the infrastructure improvements – water, sewer, etc. – needed to redevelop the vacant Kmart property.

The 13-acre parcel, at the corner of Northwest Burnside and Eastman Parkway, is a short walk to the future library, MAX and City Hall.

"The state funding is a big boost to keep this project moving forward for the community,” said Interim Manager Eric Schmidt.

Read all about it in The Outlook.

The development of these spaces is bringing our community’s vision for the Civic Neighborhood to life.

Bike riding along the Wy'East Way multi-use path through the heart of Civic Neighborhood.