East Portland placemaking projects in partnership with David Douglas School District

Submit an application

Background

The Safe Blocks Program is pleased to announce contracting opportunities for muralists in implementing placemaking projects in our gun violence focus neighborhoods. These projects are aimed at building community, improving public safety, and reducing gun violence through interventions in the built environment.  These efforts are funded through a federal Byrne grant award to the City of Portland in 2024.

Safe Blocks focuses on communities that are disproportionately impacted by social vulnerability and the root causes of violence. Our approach centers on empowering communities with the necessary skills and knowledge for community safety and violence prevention. We help build safer communities, block by block. 

Placemaking projects are a key element of the City of Portland's broader gun violence reduction strategy. These locations were identified due to chronic challenges around gun violence in Portland.

These projects also represent a strong partnership with David Douglas School District (DDSD).  DDSD has agreed to allow the use of their facilities to host community visioning sessions so that the school community and members of the public shape the placemaking projects. The project concepts mentioned below were developed in partnership with school administrators.

As part of this request for proposals, there are three distinct projects that muralists may respond to. They are described at high level below:

• Gilbert Park Placemaking Project:
  • Street painting on SE Ramona St. between SE 128^th – 133^rd Avenues
• Ventura Park Placemaking Project:
  • Street painting on SE Ankeny St. and SE 119^th Ave.
  • Painting protected bike lanes on SE Stark St. between SE 108^th and SE 122^nd Avenues.
• Menlo Park Placemaking Project:
  • Street painting on NE 128^th Ave. and E. Burnside St.
  • Painting protected bike lanes on SE 136^th Ave. between SE Holgate Blvd. and SE Foster Rd.

Submission instructions

Applications should be submitted by 4pm on May 18, 2026.

Muralists may bid on any one of the projects or multiple projects, including all three projects. If the muralist has a preference for a particular project above the others, they should make that known. However, a muralist will not be awarded a contract for more than one project.

Due to contracting rules, bids in excess of $50,000 will not be considered. $50,000 is the total amount that the City may contract with any particular muralist during the life of this federal grant.

While it is not necessary to be a city vendor at time of application, a condition of awarding the contract will be that the Muralist become registered as a city vendor. View the requirements.

Who should apply?

Artists and muralists in the Portland metro region who are able to lead community visioning sessions and community art projects are encouraged to apply. Applications from organizations are also welcome.

How much funding is available?

A total of $150,000 is available. Applicants can apply for up to $50,000 for any one project. Applicants may apply for multiple projects but will not be awarded more than one project contract.

How to apply

1. Submit an application

Additional information for applicants

General Responsibilities

1. Community-engaged design process led by the Muralist, with participation by students, families, and community members, to understand community values & visions.
2. Development of art concepts intended to promote community connection and neighborhood identity.
3. Coordination among the Parties (City, school district, community) regarding proposed locations, schedules, and logistical considerations.
4. Securing permits and traffic control devices for executing community paint days. 
5. Planning and execution of community paint days so that community members can easily join and paint pieces of the street painting.

Draft Schedule

• Summer 2026- MOUs and contracting with Muralist
• Sept/Oct 2026 – Family info night for all school participating in City of Portland placemaking program at one location (Ventura Park). Includes representatives from City of Portland, David Douglas School District, and Muralist. 
• Oct/Nov 2026 – Muralist meeting #1 at elementary school to explore design concepts ("Community Visioning Session")
• November – January - Muralist meeting #2 at elementary school to finalize design concepts (if needed)
• January- February 2027 - Muralist check in with Project Sponsors (Principal, DDSD staff, City staff) to review, finalize, and approve designs.
• Feb-March 2027- Muralist procures materials & permits. This also includes public outreach as part of permit requirements
• March-April 2027- Event planning: parties work together to identify street painting weekends to take place May-June. Could include bouncy house, music, and block party elements that coincide with street painting. Muralist will plan a minimum of 2 coordination meetings with City staff & DDSD staff.
• May-July 2027– Community painting day(s). 
• November 2027 – final invoicing and contract closeout

Muralist Expectations

Vendor is expected to:

• Be communicative to project sponsors
• Be respectful in all communication and interactions relating to this project
• Lead a community process for developing public art. These community visioning sessions will be free & open to the public
• Create public art that is reflective of the cultural diversity and identity of the school community
• Schedule check in with project sponsors Nov 2026-January 2027 to approve/finalize design
• Obtain Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) permits for street painting
• Engage in public outreach necessary for securing PBOT permits.
• Procuring paint materials
• Schedule one paint day coordination meeting in Spring 2027 with project partners to discuss logistical considerations for the community paint days that will occur in the summer.
• Plan community painting days including: ensuring all paint materials are available, process for assigning participants sections to paint (ensuring a smooth experience for participants), ensuring restroom availability, ensuring snacks & water availability.  The purpose of the coordination meeting in March 2027 will be to determine these logistical considerations. City will cover costs of restrooms, snacks, and water; Muralist is responsible for procuring paint materials.
• Maintain all receipts, contracts, invoices, and records throughout the life of the contract.
• Deliver final invoice by November 17, 2027
• Must register as a City vendor
• Ensure all City programs, and services are operating in compliance with federal civil rights and anti-discrimination laws as stated in Mayor Wilson's Executive Order EO-2025-01. 
• Sign memorandum of understanding with City of Portland, David Douglas School District and comply with elements within this document.
• Meet the City's insurance requirements 
• Accurately answer all questions and respond to information requests 
• Submit regular and final progress reports, including status of performance measures
• Adhere to the terms and conditions of the grant agreement 
• Attend recurring monthly meetings with OVP Grant manager 
• Have participants sign a liability waiver (provided by City) before painting in public spaces and provide a copy of signed waiver to City.

Frequently asked questions about the project

View frequently asked questions about the mural project.