City of Portland projects will receive $7.1 million from a federal funding package signed into law this month by President Biden – fueling everything from affordable housing to traffic safety to body-worn cameras for police.
Over the past year, the Office of Government Relations worked across city bureaus to develop priorities, secure support from Oregon’s congressional delegation and advance requests through the legislative process. Thanks to the efforts of U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, as well as U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici, several of the City’s requests were included in the final legislation.
“I’m grateful that Portland’s priority projects received support from our congressional delegation,” Mayor Ted Wheeler said. “National investment will accelerate our progress in addressing the issues that matter most to Portlanders.”
The package, which avoided a partial shutdown of the federal government, funds numerous agencies through September. It also supports congressionally directed projects requested by local communities, commonly called earmarks. Here’s what’s on tap for Portland.
Funding overview
East Portland transportation safety upgrades: $2.3 million
Portland Bureau of Transportation
New signals and safety features will be installed at two crash-prone intersections along Southeast 112th Avenue – part of the Vision Zero program, the City and communitywide effort to end traffic fatalities and serious injuries in Portland. Improvements at the intersections with Division Street and Holgate Boulevard will include new signal phases to separate vehicle traffic from people biking and walking, higher visibility crosswalks and upgraded street lighting that meets PBOT safety standards.
Learn more about the PBOT project
Barbur Apartments affordable housing: $2 million
Portland Housing Bureau
A new building with 149 affordable apartments will serve communities of color who live, work and worship in the Hillsdale area of Southwest Portland. Developed by Innovative Housing, Inc., the Barbur Apartments will focus on immigrant and refugee communities – particularly Muslim and East and North African households. The City’s largest mosque is located nearby, along with many Muslim religious and service organizations.
Body-worn cameras for police: $1.4 million
Portland Police Bureau
This year, Portland will roll out body-worn cameras for all police officers to record their interactions with community members. The program is ramping up following a pilot last year, which tested the technology. Portland is the last large U.S. city to require body-worn cameras, which have become standard in policing.
Tryon Creek culvert replacement: $940,000
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with Bureau of Environmental Services
A major fish passage barrier will be replaced along Tryon Creek, where it flows under Highway 43 to the Willamette River. A larger culvert will restore access to 2.7 miles of high-quality spawning and rearing habitat in the Tryon Creek watershed – making way for threatened native fish, including coho and Chinook salmon.
Portland Parks lighting improvements: $500,000
Portland Parks & Recreation
Portland parks are getting lit. Congressional funding will expand and expedite the removal of outdated lighting and replace it with new LED lights that are more efficient, longer lasting and better for the environment (and neighbors!). New park lighting spans Portland, from Montavilla to Sellwood to Irvington.
