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Label:
Ordinance
Appropriate grant for Pilot Mass Timber Feasibility Study for $100,000
Passed
The City of Portland ordains.
Section 1. The Council finds:
- The City submitted grant application HC206 to the Softwood Lumber Board on September 10, 2025.
- The Softwood Lumber Board has notified the City of a Pilot Mass Timber Feasibility Studies Grant Program grant award to the City in the amount of $100,000 (See Exhibit A).
- The grant period is 09/02/2025 through 12/31/2026.
- The grant requires matching funds; PHB is providing matching funds using CET funds in the amount of $350,000.
- This grant is intended to supplement, and not replace, existing City revenues.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:
- The FY 2025-26 budget is hereby amended as follows:
GRANTS FUND
Fund – 217
Business Area – HC00
Bureau Program Expenses – $100,000
Exhibits and attachments
An ordinance when passed by the Council shall be signed by the Auditor. It shall be carefully filed and preserved
in the custody of the Auditor (City Charter Chapter 2 Article 1 Section 2-122)
Passed by Council
Auditor of the City of Portland
Simone Rede
Impact Statement
Purpose of proposed legislation and background information
The purpose of this Grant is to provide grant funding to eligible Organizations (as defined in ORS 458.610). Grantee to provide a pilot Mass Timber Feasibility Study and presentation for potential development projects in the City of Portland.
Financial and budgetary impacts
This pilot Mass Timber Feasibility Study grant will bring approximately $100,000 in Softwood Lumber Board and USDA Forestry funds to the community for the grant period. There is a matching fund requirement. PHB is provided a matching grant using CET funds for $350,000. This micro grant program is expected to bring in funds and disburse funds within the FY25-26 and FY26-27 budget years.
Economic and real estate development impacts
The purpose of this micro grant is to assist developers with determining the feasibility to utilize mass timber in their ground up developments. There are funds to support up to six (6) micro grants of $75K to over the professional services necessary to conduct these feasibility reviews. This micro grant could be beneficial to ground up development to move forward with informed data towards incorporating mass timber into their developments and design. Mass timber is emerging as a key material in construction and offers a potentially compelling alternative to traditional building materials. Benefits include lower embodied carbon emissions compared to traditional construction materials like concrete and steel, construction schedule efficiencies, lighter structural loads, seismic resiliency, reduced material waste, potentially sequestered carbon dioxide when harvested sustainably, and enhanced occupant experience through biophilic design. Mass timber supports forest restoration efforts and contribute to improved forest health and wildfire mitigation. The mass timber industry creates jobs in forestry, construction, and advanced manufacturing.
Community impacts and community involvement
Mass timber is emerging as a key material in construction and offers a potentially compelling alternative to traditional building materials. Benefits include lower embodied carbon emissions compared to traditional construction materials like concrete and steel, construction schedule efficiencies, lighter structural loads, seismic resiliency, reduced material waste, potentially sequestered carbon dioxide when harvested sustainably, and enhanced occupant experience through biophilic design. Mass timber supports forest restoration efforts and contribute to improved forest health and wildfire mitigation. The mass timber industry creates jobs in forestry, construction, and advanced manufacturing. If a development is able to move forward with development and incorporate mass timber, community benefits could be realized outside of the scope of the grant program. The feasibility study reports will be made available to help interested parties better understand the feasibility of utilizing mass timber in new construction projects within the City of Portland.
100% renewable goal
This pilot is focused on determining the potential benefits and feasibility of utilizing mass timber in a proposed new development within the City of Portland. There is no 100% Renewable Goal information associated with this grant.
Budgetary impact worksheet
| Fund | Fund Center | Commitment Item | Functional Area | Funded Program | Grant | Sponsored Program | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 217001 | HCPG000004 | 521000 | CDHCMFNH | NON-PROGRAM | HC000206 | HC002060001 | 100,000.00 |
| 217001 | HCPG000004 | 441100 | CDHCMFNH | NON-PROGRAM | HC000206 | HC002060001 | 100,000.00 |
Economic and real estate development analysis
Analysis provided by Prosper Portland
Prosper Portland staff has reviewed the Economic and Real Estate Development Impact Analysis submitted for this action and finds that it satisfies the requirements set forth in City Council Resolution 37664. The analysis is sufficiently detailed and complete to be considered a final statement for purposes of this action.
Document history
Document number: 2026-181
President's referral: City Council