Portland porn shop gets makeover

By Associated Press Published: Apr 15, 2007 at 3:51 PM PDT

GRESHAM, Ore. (AP) - A long-time porn shop in Gresham is getting an extraordinary makeover starting Monday.

And it's thanks in part to an inmate work crew from Multnomah Count Sheriff's office at Inverness Jail.

The Pink Palace on 181st -- between East Burnside and Southeast Stark -- closed recently after 20 years. It was purchased by a public-spirited developer for lease to the Center for Family Success as "a hub for educational opportunities, social support, and positive family activities for children" of criminal offenders.

Chief contractor for the center is Skillpoints, a firm that employs ex-offenders.

The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office is donating inmate labor for this unusual project. The inmate work crews have already begun the renovation process.