PORTLAND, Ore. — Parkrose High School students held an environmental impact fair Wednesday, zeroing in on a new freight warehouse distribution warehouse set to be built across from the school.
"These are the students, many are multi-generational in the Parkrose neighborhood, who really care and want to see a more just and sustainable community that they can live in for years to come," said Moe Yonamine, one of the event's organizers.
The most important issue impacting the students, many said, is the building of a new freight distribution warehouse right across from the school. Real-estate developer Prologis is leasing the site that will be turned into the warehouse.
Some say the new facility will add more truck traffic to the area and more pollution.
"I see so many kids walking by, and adding trucks to the mix is not a good idea," said student Maya Kruger.
"There are so many possible consequences of these trailers and trucks literally coming right through our school," added Kiely Quintero, another student.
A land-use appeal has been submitted. Students and school leaders said they would love to see a community center or grocery store go there instead of the freight warehouse distribution center.
"Students feel like this is kinda being done to them, and at the same time, we're concerned about the public health effects. This community is disproportionally affected by public health issues," Superintendent Michael Lopes-Serrao said.
KGW reach out to Prologis and the company released a statement about the building, saying that it will be both modern and sustainable, with a solar-ready roof, LEED silver certification, EV charging and more.
"We are in the process of building modern and sustainable commercial building at that site, a project with which we have been working closely with the City and community," the company said. "The project will be built in accordance with our net-zero building guidelines which include a solar-ready roof, LEED Silver certification, and EV charging. Prologis has committed to achieve net-zero emissions across our operations by 2030 and value chain by 2040. Our development on Sandy Boulevard will support Prologis' net-zero commitment & roadmap."
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