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Latino Network is preparing to break ground on a new 18,000-square-foot community center in Southeast Portland. 鈥�La Plaza Esperanza鈥� will replace the nonprofit鈥檚 3,000-square-foot Rockwood office building, which had become too small and was demolished.

The new building will rise at 312 S.E. 165th Ave., and include several offices, flexible conference/meeting rooms, shared desk areas, a lounge, storage space, and a preschool. The multipurpose facility will be used to provide Latino Network services such as early childhood education and health and wellness, host meetings and community events, and offer preschool worker training.

Crews currently are grading the site and preparing for vertical construction to begin in May. A celebration of that milestone is slated for April 29.

ZGF Architects is leading the design, with Salazar Architect designing the interior. Colas Construction is the general contractor. Wenaha Group, based in Federal Way, Washington, is serving as the owner鈥檚 representative and project manager; Otak previously held that role until its contract expired last year.

Latino Network provides programs and services related to school-based education, rent and utility assistance, housing access, and workforce development. La Plaza Esperanza, meaning 鈥榓 place of hope,鈥� will provide the organization with a flagship facility and space to grow.

Three other nonprofits offer community services in the vicinity. The Boys & Girls Club, New Avenues for Youth, and Open School operate across Southeast Oak Street. They will partner with Latino Network to provide programs and services.

鈥淭he Rockwood is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Oregon, with more than 35 percent identifying as Latino,鈥� Latino Network鈥檚 executive director, Tony DeFalco, stated in an email. 鈥淩ockwood is historically one of the most underserved communities in Oregon.鈥�

The full-service, all-day preschool will have indoor and outdoor play areas and be able to serve 20 students per school year. The space will be used as a demonstration site where community members can be trained to provide early education that is culturally appropriate and bilingual, according to DeFalco.

鈥淭here is an acute shortage of trained preschool care providers, and even greater need for those that can deliver culturally specific preschool programming,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he recent passage of聽聽(PFA) by Multnomah County will intensify this need across the metro region.鈥�

The preschool at La Plaza Esperanza will not only address the current shortage of preschool care providers but also provide a training blueprint as the PFA program continues to roll out in Multnomah County and expand elsewhere.

La Plaza Esperanza will feature mass timber, a rooftop solar array, and a battery storage system. The total project cost is estimated at $21.5 million.

鈥淲e started major fundraising efforts in January of 2021,鈥� DeFalco stated. 鈥淥ur public campaign just recently got underway.鈥�

Latino Network has raised $16.5 million so far; top project donors and funders include FamilyCare Health founder and CEO Jeff Heatherington, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, the state of Oregon, Social Venture Partners (SVP), SVP Partners Dedications 鈥� a dedication by SVP partner Holly Levow and Mark Holloway that worked independently of the campaign to gather supporters.

Officials hope to reach 90 percent of their fundraising goal by July.

Construction is estimated to finish in September 2024, allowing La Plaza Esperanza to open shortly thereafter and welcome its first preschool class that fall.