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Since meeting a neighbor who works for The Rosewood Initiative, Propel Studio co-founder Nick Mira has learned a lot about the nonprofit community organization’s efforts to improve East Portland.

He’s also found out about the limitations of a commercial space near the intersection of Southeast Stark Street and 162^nd Avenue that The Rosewood Initiative leases for its community center. The former billiards hall badly needs a facelift to better support the programs housed there and give the organization a more professional appearance, Mira said.

鈥淚t’s basically blank inside. It’s just painted concrete floor,鈥� he said. 鈥淓very piece of furniture is different because it’s been scrapped from here and there.鈥�

At the beginning of this year, Mira volunteered Propel Studio, a small Portland-based architecture firm, to provide a pro bono redesign of the 8,000-square-foot community center. The project will further the goals of the organization to make the Rosewood area of Portland and Gresham a desirable place to live, work and play, he said.

鈥淭hey’re passionate about creating opportunities in areas where there is a lack of opportunity,鈥� Mira said.

Currently, Rosewood Initiative’s community center offers a multipurpose space for hosting weddings, dance classes and other events. The center also provides child care and bike repair services, and partners with the Portland-based nonprofit SE Works to help job seekers.

Designs created by Propel Studio envision breaking up a space that currently has no walls with wooden slat dividers to help separate the center’s programs, and adding a mezzanine level. Other plans include creating an enclosed computer lab, a classroom and meeting space, building four micro storefronts, and providing work desks for start-up businesses.

鈥淭hey needed better space,鈥� said Sam Sudy, a Propel Studio project designer. 鈥淩ight now, the space is one big open space. They’re looking for some more organization.鈥�

The community center’s open floor plan is great for large events, but the space can become loud and chaotic when there’s more than one activity going on at once, Rosewood Initiative Executive Director Jenny Glass said.

鈥淭hat’s really limiting for us,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t’s difficult to have private conversations. We’re working with Propel to get more out the space and get more out of what we do. We just need a few more rooms to make it more functional in here.鈥�

The improvements also will help support an expansion of Rosewood Initiative’s programs to further help job seekers and become a business incubator, Glass said. The micro storefronts will be part of this effort.

鈥淩ight now, we’re really laying the groundwork to help entry-level entrepreneurs,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ur space isn’t entirely conducive to that right now鈥� We’re really trying to utilize this space to be a hub of opportunity for people to develop their entrepreneurship and also their employability.鈥�

The pro bono project to redesign Rosewood Initiative’s community center is among others Propel Studio has participated in. This includes designing and overseeing the construction last year of a temporary plaza in Portland’s Lents neighborhood in partnership with the Portland Development Commission and ROSE Community Development. These efforts support the firm’s commitment to public interest design and community engagement, Mira said.

鈥淲e want to balance our paid work with pro bono work,鈥� he said.

The Rosewood Initiative pro bono project has been especially rewarding, Mira said.

鈥淭his one is so fun because they’re all so thankful,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey just love everything we do. It feels good.鈥�

Since Propel Studio got involved with The Rosewood Initiative, Mira has reached out to his colleagues in the Portland design community seeking their pro bono services for the community center redesign. So far, Mira said, PAE has offered to provide mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering for the project. KPFF Consulting Engineers has offered to help with structural engineering.

鈥淣ow we’re trying to be creative about making it happen,鈥� Mira said.

Glass said The Rosewood Initiative would like to get started on revamping its community center as soon as possible, but is still working out securing funding for the project. She also would like to wait to proceed with the investment until the nonprofit has finished negotiating a long-term lease for the space the community center occupies.

Propel Studio’s offer of pro bono design services will help make the project possible, Glass said.

鈥淲hen we told them we didn’t have a budget for design they were so generous,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y jaw dropped when I saw their proposals. Even just seeing the drawings, it’s inspiring and it helps motivate us to keep going. It will help with fundraising.鈥�