Comments
Please wait...
Comments are closed.
Commenting on this item is available only to members of the site. You can sign in here or create an account here.
More In News
Editors' Picks
is a proud member of the
media network
media network
All contents © Index Newspapers LLC
PO Box 86208, Portland, OR 97286
PO Box 86208, Portland, OR 97286
Are you sure about that Mr. Malsin? At http://milepost5.net/studios/ you will note that "The Studios building offers:...◦Shared shop space with tool library."
You may want to put your money where your website's mouth is.
Anywhoo, you all should be forced to pay the price for driving Herfy's out of business!
"Where's our garden?" "There's no tool library!" " My bike's touching another bike!"
Half the fucking world is hungry, diseased, oppressed, at war, dying, without hope. And all some of these little whiny cunts can do is bitch and cry about some luke warm water and missing insulation.
I feel SO bad for all these people that I think I'll go put a "stop the oppression at Milepost 5" bumper sticker on my brand new Subaru.
if the management dosen't make some real changes instead of the typical smoke and mirrors its just going to become another Fairmont, then the whole neighborhood loses.
but then mr.wambulance would probably say "hey their just a bunch of n----s, ch----ks,
and illegals in that part of town" oh and mr wambulance i bet if you had to go with out a
lot of things whinning your ass off; OBAMA WANTS TO TAKE AWAY MY 50 GUNs!!!waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But you could see the entitled whining coming along ways off.
Wouldn't these monies have been better spent for making affordable housing for single parents, etc etc?
BEAM is completely disconnected with the community inside, because they failed to harness the initial wave of energy in October when they were too busy dealing with plumbing and generally keeping the place from falling down. There's no repairing that initial damage. Honestly they probably shouldn't have opened until the place was livable. Believe me it really wasn't until April of this year that most of the place was functioning correctly.
I refuse to feel sorry for developers who make bad investments. The woe is me attitude from BEAM and the Malsins in the community meeting did not play well. Oh, you sunk your money into something stupid? Cry me a river douchenozzles! Deliver on your promises!!
I work 40 hours a week and I didn't come here just for cheap rent. I came here to make art and was sold an illusion of a place where there was at least space to make it. I moved from NY and I'm not the only one with the same story. Look at the website, they are still pretending that they are providing resources for artists when they are clearly not. They simply cashed in on city money, favors, and connections to get the studios building redone. In the end its another Fairmont. And a lot of us just want them to be honest about what they are doing. If you just want it to be an apartment building, just say so!!!
The whole thing was a complete disappointment, really. Just shows you can't accomplish this sort of thing without a non-profit to balance it out.
And an update: Those of us who were in the first wave of tenants were handed a rent increase this weekend, and quite frankly BEAM wants people to shake up. Some peoples' rent will double on a month-to-month premium, and the only way to retain a somewhat lower rate is to sign an 18 month lease. My space will go up to alomst $600 on month to month, and for 200 square feet with community bathrooms and kitchens. Fucking ridiculous, I can move, have privacy, and not have to live on hooker avenue for that amount. And when you get down to it, the value of the condos is questionable as well. The largest unit works out to about $270/sq ft. at asking price. On 82nd Ave? You've got to be joking! The only thing going for it as far a location is proximity to a Max stop!
This place is a failure on many levels, but mainly because the environment in its current form does not foster freedom and creativity for people to really make anything, let alone art. I'm leaving when my lease terms. Beware all ye suckers...MP5 is full of shit.
Please keep it cheap, loose and edgy. Most art collectives are homogeneous bores, MP5 is not and may never be so.
What an incredibly shitty attitude to have. But such would be typical coming from someone who's too CHICKENSHIT to even sign his/her post with a fake name.
Shared tiny kitchen, no actual food refrigeration system for tenants, there is less common space than in the Fairmount Hotel ( which Beam owns ). No storage as implied, no ADA accessibility, elevators are not licensed, fake security system. Welcome to the Fairmount II ! There is no shared governance and there is more of a catholic school vibe than anything. A completely out of touch 'creative director' and a restaurant which caters to the chuckee cheese set. Good morning SOHO! ha. And now, a celebrated Los Angeles artist Joey Krebs, whom had his work disposed of by his former gallery there, under the nose of Gavin Shettler, and the gallery directors! Four businesses have gone belly-up in the brief time the first floor has been open. Use the artists to prop up your image, exploit them and dump them after you sucked their blood out. There is almost nothing of hospitality from management, artists are expected to buy their hospitality gifts to the public through the overcharged restaurant. Sick.
And they were so glad that even though the tenants didn't have what they were promised, they could get internet at a gouge price. THANKS!!!!
The Studios building offers:
Eat. Art. Theater. a restaurant & multi-use performance space. site ( Performance space is only available for rental)
Multiple art gallery spaces to show- and sell- the work produced at Milepost 5, and show work by local, national and international artists. (So far the gallery shows have mostly showcased off-site artists).
An art supply store by Muse Art and Design. (Opened 9 months late due to lack of promised security precautions)
An on-site Creative Director, with hours available to assist residents with networking, marketing, and showing their work. (Creative Director: Gavin Shettler) (Hmmm...look him up on the web. "Creative Director" in name only).
An organic community garden (Was denied to the studio building until residents dug up ground without permission)
Shared shop space with tool library (What tool library??? John Malsin says this wasn't promised... it's on the website! Maybe he should go back to law school and take a refresher course before he's quoted in the media for something that is patently untrue! This is typical of management behavior).
Community Room (Which is only available for rental. No feeling of "community" here either).
On-site laundry facility (Not completed until 6 months after move in).
Secure bike parking (Provided only after several bikes were stolen)
And this is just for starters...There isn't even any signage for the business owners, who are struggling to stay in business because no one can find them. No promotional support is given by management even though it was promised.
How about instead of endless bitching, the tenants of this place man-up and start incorporating the idea's of what this place was supposed to be for themselves. I can't think of a better way to re-enforce the community aspect.
the developers just collected the rent and kept their nose out of it and let us take charge.
oh and that poor excuse for a resturant and its conserv ower was gone. oh by the way when it was a nursing home, that was the morgue(i EAT with dead people). and as far as being a bad area, i've lived in far worst areas and got along fine you pussies. successful arts
communities always start up in the GHETTO and go on to be very upscale areas. i'm not
ready to give up on this. get rid of the morons, and start again.
I personally don't think this living space should exist. I've had many friends who are professional (and not) artists, and they managed to somehow exist on their own, making arguably better art than this place can offer up.
You don't have to live there.
You don't have to be an "artist".
The way I hear it, if the phony creative directors salary was divided with the people in the building that actually created the projects and did the work for the building, he wouldn't be getting shite.
The suck-ups are fun to watch as they crash and burn, little suckertoads.
You comment about public finance is interesting, I don't think you get it... the developers made these same promises to the city before the city gave them any money, as a result you have been ripped off by these guys almost as badly as the artists have. You should be mad as heck; just not at the artists.
The artists have been used as pawns by Beam to get city financing that would have never been provided had the artists not been part of the equation.
That said, frankieb, you try moving into a building they say is habitable, only to find out a week after they got your money that the pipes are so old they are breaking in the walls seemingly every other day, pouring vast amounts of water and sewage into your walls and ceilings are collapsing around you. This went on for months. Parts of the building had no hot water at all for a good share of the winter. The only regulator for the heat was on or off, on kept the rooms in the mid 80's unless you opened the windows. Off could have the rooms temps dropping into the 40's at night last winter... and whats the result of this? Rents were hiked because the utilities bills were so high! They get you coming and going.
Then there is the laundry people were promised this when they moved in, then told there would be a slight delay... move in was october 1st, laundry was not provided until april 29th.
you spend a winter with no guarantee of a working toilet, shower, or place to wash your cloths with out a vote from the building next door to allow you to use their facilities. Lets see you not complain!
You're, not your. And I am not even a Republican, let alone a Tea Party asshole.
Who is the idiot now?
More later.
hahahahahahaha!!!!!!
Aimee, you said that "Spindles, the landlords have violated everyone's rental agreement x 10."
I find that hard to believe. Can you post a link to your rental agreement? I don't believe that your legal rental contract promises you a free tool room or community garden or any of the other things to which you think you are entitled.
Oh, and what's the Fairmount? Can someone post a link? Google didn't give me much.
never asked for funky digs... just toilets that took their load to the sewer not my head.
The attitude that all of this bailing on what was advertised is okay because there were no specific provisions in the lease is really shitty and litigious. I hope a developer fucks you up and down someday too.
And by the way - The rent isn't subsidized and this isn't HUD or Section 8 housing. The city provided early funding for some of the construction. The tenants are footing the bill now (read my earlier comment), so quite frankly go fuck yourselves you trolls.
No HUD or Sec 8. Gotcha.
Throughout history artists have somehow managed to do their art while living in far worse conditions than you are currently whining about.
Who knows, maybe this will help with the ill-conceived romantic notion of 'suffering for your art' that I bet you all hold so dear, and you may create something that actually sells.
Before the 'Pearl' days, that area was all railroad tracks and storage buildings that artists used to rent out to work in.... but they also lived there too (as a friend of mine did). Cold water, community bathroom, cooking on hotplates. Shitty conditions, but cheap.
Makes you guys look like Donald Trump whining away.
My biggest frustrations were the plumbing, laundry, and filthiness of the community spaces (early on in my stay there I started referring to the place as Milepost Filthy), which were my main reasons for leaving.
Another big point of contention was that it seemed that many of the residents were spending more time having meetings and complaining than making art. I really WAS looking forward to being around all that creative energy. No such luck. This place sucked out all that good energy nearly every time I entered the kitchen and attempted to use the tiny sink overflowing with other people's dishes. On the bright side, it was such an uncomfortable place to live that I spent much more time in my studio (not at MP5) making work.
I had more of an idea of what I was getting into because I'm from Portland and had been watching the development of MP5 for awhile. But the website does paint a pretty picture that is pretty inaccurate. And it's really unfortunate for people who moved to Portland specifically to live at MP5.
You can't expect this type of social experiment to go well the very first time. It's a good idea and hopefully some day it can be a success. But for now current residents should acknowledge that petty bullshit, bickering and lack of respect for your neighbors contribute to a negative living environment just as much as all the crap management pulled. How do you expect this to be a success if you can't even respect the community?
For all of you that love MP5, I think you should bring MTV in there and have them film "The Real World--Portland." Then you could probably live there for free.
Best of luck to everyone.
Just answer this: Is it okay for a business to advertise something and then not deliver that to its customers? If you feel that it is, tell me why.
I already mentioned as did others that there are some whiny bitches in this community. Admittedly. But you still don't get it dude! You keep going back to the living conditions. I made it just fine as far as living. It's the space and resources for making art! Those early residents of the Pearl may have had cold showers and no kitchens, but they had probably good raw spaces to work in, where they were left to do their thing. WE DON'T HAVE THOSE SPACES WHICH WERE ADVERTISED AS PART OF AN ARTISTS COMMUNITY! What don't you understand about that? Tell me - have you actually seen the place? Maybe you should come out to First Friday this week and see what I'm talking about, I'll be glad to give you a tour.
"Barely making" it? Barely making it is trying to feed a family of 6 in some shit-hole third world country with 2 pounds of rice. While living in fear that militia are going to come in the middle of night and murder you and rape your children. That's barely making it.
Also, Obama's not going to take anything from me, similar to how nothing was,and won't be, taken from you. You're just whining about a first world problem is all.
Bye the way I an from here. I neither ride a bike everywhere nor am I gay.. Go figure.
And apparently, you don't pronunciate either. Go figure.
Section 8 housing is actually nicer than MP5. Most of the artists who are unhappy with the status quo would forgo a tool library or garden in exchange for some basic amenities and a little respect from management. And yes, some artists will be leaving when their leases expire in October. Since there is no vetting process (all you need to do is say you're an artist and pass a credit check and you're in), I expect to see more of the 20-somethings who are just there for the cheap rent and to party...you know, the pretend artists that give the rest of us a bad name. Many of the legitimate artists at MP5 work full or part time menial jobs to support their art and are not slackers or irresponsible, so don't play stereotypes. It just shows your ignorance.
Really, if you don't like art or artists, don't bother posting your inane comments. I doubt these same art haters would tolerate living conditions where basics such as running water and security are an issue. The absurd comparison of MP5 to extreme third-world living conditions is nothing more than an irrelevant distraction.
Section 8 housing is actually nicer than MP5. Most of the artists who are unhappy with the status quo would forgo a tool library or garden in exchange for some basic amenities and a little respect from management. And yes, some artists will be leaving when their leases expire in October. Since there is no vetting process (all you need to do is say you're an artist and pass a credit check and you're in), I expect to see more of the 20-somethings who are just there for the cheap rent and to party...you know, the pretend artists that give the rest of us a bad name. Many of the legitimate artists at MP5 work full or part time menial jobs to support their art and are not slackers, irresponsible or trust-fund babies, so don't play stereotypes; it just shows your ignorance.
Really, if you don't like art or artists, don't bother posting your inane comments. I doubt these same art haters would tolerate living conditions where basics such as running water and security are an issue. The absurd comparison of MP5 to extreme third-world living conditions is nothing more than an irrelevant distraction.
There is a lot to be happy with about Milepost 5. And growing pains are imminent in any new venture, Good stuff IS happening here and there is a lot of potential. Growth takes time. It just so happens that it's the squeaky wheels that make the most noise.
I LOVE living at Milepost 5. I have fantastic neighbors in the Lofts. I enjoy a lot of the people in the Studios, too. I am so glad I purchased here. I got a great deal, and great deals are still available. In fact, I can't believe there's still choice units left in the Lofts.
I have had the opportunity to perform in E.A.T. more than once, and it's nice to have a restaurant next door.
A resident here in the Lofts proposed a community garden in 2008, which the developers had not thought of, but they agreed to do it. This great idea was extended to the Studios when they opened, so that they could have a garden, too. It was not in the original plans for the courtyard in the Studios.
The art shows and receptions (First Fridays) happen every month, and it's a very artistic thing to come home to on a Friday night. Definitely not your average condo.
There's a lot going on here for people of ANY profession. And we're just getting started. We all got in on the ground floor, and Milepost 5 is a blank canvas that we're all painting for the very first time.
I doubt anyone will have an urge to respond to my note here. I don't really want anyone to. But, if someone is somehow so moved, I'm sure they will respond with the utmost respect, other-oriented human compassion, and---it's so obvious, it's almost silly to say it---- polite, non-vulgar, non-graphic language. And of course they will want to sign their real name to it.
Theo Burke
Secretary, Lofts at Milepost 5 Homeowners Association
Pianist, Choir Conductor, Political Organizer & Journalist
Lofts 307; Milepost 5 USA
Boy I sure hope your art is more complex than your thinking here.
From what you wrote it seems like every issue that you raised has been taken care of with the exception of a 'tool library' (which wouldn't last long I'd bet) and a Creative Director who caters to and sells your shit for you. (Is this person supposed to lulluby you to sleep too?)
You moved into a place that wasn't finished - whose fault is that? Still, the article says management has offered up rent abatements for broken pipes - as they should.
The art store is in. Laundry facilities in. Better Bike area - done.
Finally, even if you were a 'art hater' (which I ain't by a long shot) you still have a right to post here, as it was tax dollars that lifted this project off the ground to begin with - and it sounds like you're whining for more.
http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/2007/0…
Is this accurate?
get off your lazy ass join the peace corp and go to 3w and actually DO something about it instead of TALKING about it.
times more on CL rants and raves. just think of all the wasted time u spend trolling the
internet.......no life huh. maybe u should write a book " my worthless life as a bi-polar-
schizophenic- sociopathic internet stalker- fake know it all". reading your other 414 posts gives a real insight to you.......sad. so people the dudes full of bullshit.
General fund appropriation:
Milepost 5 -$250,000
Milepost 5 Studios is renovating the historic Baptist manor into affordable live/work studios for artists. Funds shall pass thru PDC and be loaned for construction, including kitchens, bathrooms, fire/life safety systems, a new boiler, domestic hot water system, painting, and landscape improvements at the 50,763 square foot historic building.
THEY WERE NOT READY FOR US- BUT WANTED OUR MONEY.
SEE THE DATE?
Oh and Mr. Burke, the studios fought for the garden, the original suggestion after fighting about in and drawing up the plans that were requested, was to give the studios a 4 ft by fifty foot garden space which happened to have plantings in it, some loft people thought we should be very gracious and accept it.
4 x 50 feet garden? for a building to share? please.
There was never an intention by mgmnt to let us have one, we fought for it. It was listed in the prospectus and on the signs outside, fyi. Twenty feet deep was allowed and the 'creative director' went out and measured and found that it was four feet over ( the original plantings ) and a straight line was drawn to appease the gods of straight lines, the gardeners were chastised and planting finally began. 6 months late for garlic and other things, typical.
So, get your facts together Theo. : )
I think the community garden hub bub is asinine. Would you believe there was a resident organized "garden committee" before there was a formal group effort dedicated to art or art making? I came here to make art, not to make salads. As far as I'm concerned there's a Wendy's down the street. And I've learned how to make pizzas in a wok on a hot plate, so I'm better off already!
I've suggested to a few folks that BEAM should install bells in the community restrooms that residents can use to ring the creative director when they need their asses wiped; some residents seem bent on accepting nothing less.
Despite the complaints heard over and over again, there is a growing group actually committed to creative pursuits and occasional underwear parties. If I leave when my lease is up, it will have nothing to do with broken promises or rent hikes. It'll be the bitching and moaning that gets me.
For future coverage, it might be nice to pick up some quotes from the other side of the fence.
Management and ownership have absolutely no control over the attitude that we choose to address these difficult issues with. Choose to make the changes that you want to see, rather than feeling like a victim at the hands of another.
Milepost5 has incredible potential because there are incredible people that are here. Lets not waste our time with non-constructive chatter. Lets get to the point and make change happen.
I love living here.
Thanks for the good idea of taking responsibility for our comments Theo Burke and Alex Ozers.
-Jessie Dettwiler, 2nd floor of The Studios