191455

The City of Portland ordains:

Section 1. The Council finds:

1. As a result of the Inflation Reduction Act there is a significant increase in federal funding for transportation projects that address climate change and provide critical transportation improvements within the City of Portland.
    
2. Although there is a significant increase in funding at the federal level, these grant opportunities are nationally competitive; USDOT has generally received $10 in requests for every $1 appropriated to these grant programs. 
    
3. The neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program (NAE) will provide up to $3.155 billion in grant awards to connect communities by supporting neighborhood equity, safety, and affordable transportation access as well as mitigating negative environmental impacts. The USDOT intends to award the entirety of the appropriated grant funds in the 2023 grant cycle, due September 28, 2023.
    
4. The Neighborhood Access and Equity grant program allows for capital grants with no local match for projects in disadvantaged or underserved communities, as defined by USDOT.
    
5. PBOT has worked closely with city, community, and regional partners to develop the proposed projects included in this ordinance.
    
6. The projects identified improve safety, multi-modal access, community connections, and asset condition.
   1. 82^nd Avenue Corridor Safety and Access for Cully and Sumner Neighborhoods:  If awarded, the NAE grant will make investments in 82^nd Avenue from NE Sandy to NE Webster to improve access for people biking and walking, transit efficiency and safety for all users.  It would also invest in the Alberta neighborhood greenway and make improvements to NE Prescott Street supporting better east-west connectivity in the Sumner and Cully neighborhoods.
   2. N/NE Broadway Main Street and Supporting Connections: This project would redesign N/NE Broadway and Weidler Streets to connect the Albina waterfront area to jobs, services, and neighborhoods to the north and east. This project is at the intersection of the PBOT’s Central City in Motion plan and Albina Vision Trust’s Community Investment Plan for the restoration and redevelopment of the Albina area. This project includes a dual focus on safety and streetscape improvements including improved pedestrian crossings, improved street lighting, greenery and natural features, ADA accessible curb ramps, protected bike lanes, community-led placemaking, and other streetscape investments. These improvements are foundational elements to support the community-led vision for the area in the near-term and are compatible with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) I-5 Rose Quarter project highway cover. 
       
7. ODOT intends to submit an NAE grant application that includes scope to construct the I-5 Rose Quarter project highway cover.  
    
8. Metro intends to submit an NAE Regional Challenge grant to fund equitable development planning and implementation and bus rapid transit project development on corridors throughout the region including 82^nd Avenue.
    
9. No match is required by this grant because the identified projects are located in disadvantaged or underserved communities, as defined by USDOT.

NOW, THEREFORE, The Council directs:

1. The Commissioner-in-Charge is hereby authorized to make application to the USDOT for two grants in the total amount of up to $80M. The amount may change as the grant application is prepared and the cost estimates are refined.
2. The Commissioner-in-Charge is authorized to provide such information and assurances as are required for the grant period.
3. The city to participate in the NAE grant process with key stakeholders, including the Albina Vision Trust, the Historic Albina Advisory Board, and ODOT.
4. The city to participate with Metro on the NAE Regional Challenge grant to support equitable development and planning for BRT corridors in the region.
5. The OMF Grants Office is authorized to perform all administrative matters in relation to the grant application, grant agreement or amendments, requests for reimbursement from the grantor, and to submit required online grant documents on the Commissioner-in-Charge’s behalf.

Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists because the grants are due immediately; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.