Downtown Rockwood celebrates final piece of puzzle with AVIVA Apartments

After decades of planning and construction, a vision for transforming a central parcel in Rockwood is finally complete.

For some, like Rep. Ricki Ruiz, D-Gresham, the project has been on his mind for a long time. He grew up a stone’s throw from the land that would eventually become Downtown Rockwood. Back then it was a beloved Fred Meyers, where local families would do the bulk of their shopping.

“When it closed we all wanted to know what was coming next,” Ruiz said.

The site then became Plaza del Sol, a public gathering space with artwork and a model of the solar system for kids to explore/play on. Eventually that too was shuttered, with a big fence installed to keep folks out.

The plan was for something special to be created. That plan became Downtown Rockwood.

“This project is critical, meaningful, impactful to this community,” Ruiz said. “As a kid growing up in Rockwood, I wish this was all here. It brings my heart joy that kids will now have the childhood I wished I had.”

“A grim picture has often been painted of Rockwood,” said Councilor Dina DiNucci, a longtime advocate for the neighborhood. “Now neighbors can once again have a place here they can be proud to leave by.”

AVIVA Apartments is the final phase of the Downtown Rockwood development, which also includes the Lumen Business Center, Workforce Trades Center, and Rockwood Market Hall. The ribbon cutting was held Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 1, at the apartments, 18618 E. Burnside Road.

“This is a remarkable milestone for the community,” said Developer Roy Kim. “This beautiful building is a symbol of the collaborative progress and commitment we have to our neighbors.”

The new apartments are a mix of affordable and market-rate studio, one-bed and two-bedroom units. The ground floor has space for retail tenants, there is a second-floor terrace with community grills, and a fitness center.

They are the final piece to the Downtown Rockwood puzzle. The community hub has those three prominent mixed-use buildings, surrounding a public plaza that pays homage to what it used to feature with a playground and splash pad.

Downtown Rockwood includes:

Lumen: A mixed-use building featuring Wallace Medical Concern, La Villa Grill, Little Wings Academy, Worksource Oregon, Dr. Ibolit Chiropractic Physical Therapy and Massage, and Mt. Hood Community College Small Business Development Center.

Rockwood Market Hall: Local vendors included micro-restaurants and micro-vendors, with large communal dining room and two floors of offices above.

AVIVA: Apartment complex with studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units that are a mix of affordable and market-rate. Ground floor available for retail commercial tenants.

“This is what happens when people think transformational,” said Mayor Travis Stovall. “Former Mayor Shane Bemis and our councilors laid the foundation for us to build on top of.”

“We have housing, services, businesses, all the things we need in Downtown Rockwood,” he added. “This is just the beginning, we have more work to do.”