Contact: Shawn Uhlman, PDC, 503-823-7994
January 30, 2014
Majestic Realty Company has announced the selection of Portland-based Colas Construction as the general contractor on Majestic’s $8 million MLK South development project in Northeast Portland’s King Neighborhood. In November, the PDC Board of Commissioners authorized the Executive Director to execute a Disposition and Development Agreement between PDC and Majestic for the sale of the 1.79 acre PDC-owned parcel. When complete, the project will include a grocery store in one building and commercial/retail lease space to house between four and 10 businesses in a second building.
“We are thrilled to partner with Colas Construction on the development of this project, our first in the city of Portland,” said Majestic Realty Co. Vice President Phillip Brown. “Colas Construction has been in business in Portland for many years and their varied project portfolio speaks to their experience, industry knowledge and ability. Their commitment to community, sustainability and charity underscored for us that this firm can deliver a project we can all be very proud of.”
“We view this as a tremendous opportunity,” said Andrew Colas, Colas Construction President. “This project creates a chance to demonstrate all that we’re capable of as a company. I have watched many developments and construction projects throughout the years being built on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and I have always dreamed of the day that I too would get that opportunity. We have worked very hard to build a positive reputation in our community, and the commitment that Majestic Realty made today is a good news story for our diverse workforce and growing business. We also look forward to seeing a great anchor tenant built next to the small businesses, many of which are minority-owned, and will get a much needed boost of foot traffic in their business district. I grew up in Northeast Portland and currently live in North Portland. I am especially proud to work on a project that I believe will have a positive impact on my community.”
“I want to congratulate Majestic Realty on reaching this milestone,” said PDC Chair Scott Andrews. “It’s gratifying to think that this lot, which has been vacant for 15 years, will soon be a community hub for inner Northeast Portland.”
“The selection of an African-American prime contractor with close ties to Northeast Portland opens the door for minority contractors to participate on a large project in the heart of our neighborhood,” said Tony Jones, executive director of the Metropolitan Contractors Improvement Partnership (MCIP). “Colas Construction has an outstanding reputation for delivering projects on time and on budget as well as a great track record in using local minority contractors.”
“It’s a great step forward for our community,” said James Posey, board member and co-founder of the National Association of Minority Contractors-Oregon and the owner of Workhorse Construction, Inc. “It means that the project will be built by people from the neighborhoods and shows the world that African-American contractors can deliver large projects that hire significant number of minority contractors and workers.”
“By utilizing a local African American owned general contractor such as Colas Construction, this project will not only exemplify PDC and Majestic Realty’s commitment to diversity but it is a catalytic approach into assuring that this development and region is truly invested in long term social sustainability,” said Alando Simpson, president of City of Roses Disposal and Recycling and chair of the City of Portland’s Small Business Advisory Committee. “As a member of various organizations which advocate on behalf of the sustainability of local small minority owned businesses, I would have to say that the construction of a grocery store in the heart of a historical African American community is only of value to the community that has experienced gentrification as long as those conducting the work represent the historical landscape of that community.” Simpson is also a member of the State of Oregon Sustainability Board and Portland’s Neighborhood Economic Development Leadership Committee.
Work on the 20,000 square foot project, located on NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard at NE Alberta Street, will begin this spring and is projected to be complete by fall 2015.
