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Construction is on tap for multiple east Portland housing projects, including the Gateway Education Center, but the real question is whether others may get off the ground.

After years of planning, work is set to begin this summer on the first phase of Glisan Commons at Northeast 99th Avenue and Glisan Street. It’s planned to hold 67 units of workforce housing managed by , 60 units of senior housing run by and office space for the nonprofit .

Less than two blocks away, Gateway Gardens is in the works. Developer Gordon Jones is hoping to begin construction this summer on the first phase of a four-building, 180-unit apartment complex.

The two projects have general support from the community, and developers and others are hoping that more will follow.

鈥淲e can’t seem to get on anybody’s radar screen,鈥� said Bob Ernest, who is a co-chairman of the Gateway urban renewal advisory committee and a board member of the Hazelwood Neighborhood Association. 鈥淭he potential is certainly here, but for some reason it is still perceived as an unattractive area for developers.鈥�

The urban renewal area, which includes 650 acres east of Interstate 205, has provided money for some projects. Also, Gateway benefits from several transportation options because it’s at the confluence of two freeways and three MAX light-rail lines, and is near the airport. Metro projects that Gateway will be the region’s most accessible spot by 2017.

Nevertheless, development within Gateway has presented challenges. And though many stakeholders agree that progress has been slow, they offer many reasons why.

Jones, who has developed several housing projects in the area, initially proposed Gateway Gardens in 2005, but he said that 鈥渆xpensive, onerous, and time-consuming鈥� design review requirements thwarted progress. He added that many people view the area negatively.

鈥淚t’s been a real struggle for those of us trying to develop in the private sector,鈥� he said.

For Ernest, who has lived in a house that borders the Gateway URA boundary for 16 years, public perception is the main issue that needs to change.

鈥淲hy Gateway is not on anyone’s A-list is beyond me,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here just needs to be a paradigm shift.鈥�

Some projects 鈥� such as the Oregon Clinic at the Gateway transit center and street improvements to the commercial corridor along 102nd Avenue 鈥� have moved forward. But Justin Douglas, senior project manager for the Portland Development Commission, knows there is frustration in the community.

鈥淣o matter where you go in the country right now, people are frustrated with the lack of job growth and development,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here has been redevelopment in Gateway over the last 10 years, but I understand people feel that changes aren’t happening fast enough 鈥� we make do with the budget we have and the private partners who present themselves.鈥�

The Gateway Education Center, still in formative stages, could become the region’s signature development. It would include a number of new facilities to help meet area schools’ needs.

Developer Ted Gilbert owns an 8-acre parcel south of the Gateway transit center that has been identified as a potential site.

鈥淲e’ve been working on it for years and it’s really picking up momentum,鈥� he said.

David Douglas School District, Parkrose School District, Portland State University and Mount Hood Community College have expressed interest in the project, and the PDC provided a grant to help pay for early schematic design work. But financing the project will be difficult, according to Douglas.

鈥淭here’s not a business case for it right now,鈥� he said. 鈥淎 lot of folks have expressed interest in the project, but unless somebody out there can find a way to do it, it will just remain a concept.鈥�

People working on the East Portland Action Plan have strongly supported the Gateway Education Center.

鈥淲e are still asking why this area has simply not taken off,鈥� said Lore Wintergreen, an advocate for the East Portland Action Plan. 鈥淭he Gateway Education Center could help move things forward and create a signature statement for the area; it’s the best answer that’s been put on the table thus far.鈥�