August 14, 2024
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Shawn Uhlman, Prosper Portland
Significant projects include the relocation of The Courts skatepark; site preparation for a Youth Center at Mt. Scott Learning Center; build-out of the PHAME Academy’s Accessible Arts & Community Space; and a commemorative art installation at Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO).
Prosper Portland will award $1.42 million in Community Livability Grants for fiscal year 2024-25 to 18 projects in five tax increment finance districts or neighborhoods. These funds will leverage more than $1 million in private investment. In Central Eastside, Interstate Corridor, and Lents Town Center five projects were funded in each district, along with two projects in Gateway Regional Center and one in North Macadam.
Prosper Portland Executive Director Kimberly Branam said, “These grants highlight our long-standing commitment to fostering thriving, resilient neighborhoods. We are pleased to make these investments in community-serving projects and support the organizations that serve our city’s diverse populations and neighborhoods.”
The evaluation committees for each area included representatives from community organizations, neighborhood and business associations, and non-profit organizations as well as individual business owners and Prosper Portland staff.
The Community Livability Grant Program gives funding priority to projects that improve access to jobs and workforce development services; support wealth creation opportunities for small business owners; honor and enhance the neighborhood’s cultural diversity and history; deliver a community asset tailored to the community’s expressed priorities and opportunities; and advance goals of area-specific action plans.
Since 2006, Prosper Portland has awarded more than $15.2 million to 263 community livability projects across multiple neighborhoods and TIF districts.
2024 Community Livability Grant awardees
| Project | Description | TIF District | Fiscal Year | Award Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecotrust | The Redd Food Hub: Improvements to commercial kitchen for indigenous fishers to process regionally caught fish; install Type 1 hood HVAC system. | Central Eastside | 2024-2025 | $47,865 | |
| PHAME Academy | Accessible Arts & Community Space for adults with intellectual & developmental disabilities: $5M project on newly purchased property, CLG grant funding will be used for new roof, & window/door systems in existing openings. | Central Eastside | 2024-2025 | $125,000 | |
| Portland Street Art Alliance | Streets of Hope Partnership: A public arts mural highlighting visual arts in supporting communities of need. | Central Eastside | 2024-2025 | $25,000 | |
| Kickstand Comedy | Theatre, development stage, and classroom space: Sign installation, updating interior, improvements to bathrooms & interior for classroom space, adding seating risers. | Central Eastside | 2024-2025 | $44,250 | |
| Miracle Theatre Group | El Centro Milagro capital improvements: Signage; windows; rebuild of exterior wall and door; acoustical panels; basement firewall; repair lift to access basement. | Central Eastside | 2024-2025 | $4,875 | |
| IRCO | Commemorative Art Installation: The commemorative installation will build community consciousness of the ultimate danger of domestic, sexual, and trafficking violence. | Gateway Regional Center | 2024-2025 | $180,000 | |
| REAP | Program Headquarters Facility: Building upgrade includes siding and signage. | Gateway Regional Center | 2024-2025 | $40,000 | |
| SE Works | Office Tenant Improvements: Addition of space for mental health care. | Lents Town Center | 2024-2025 | $22,136 | |
| Mt Scott Learning Center | Youth Center Phase I: Site preparation and parking lot. | Lents Town Center | 2024-2025 | $150,000 | |
| Meals on Wheels | Eastside Resource Center: Green roof and stormwater management. | Lents Town Center | 2024-2025 | $14,000 | |
| Leach Gardens Friends | Children’s Garden: Play structures, stage, signage, electrical, and water. | Lents Town Center | 2024-2025 | $43,585 | |
| Friends of Zenger Farms | Farmhouse Upgrades: Structural & environmental upgrades for community space, & food education & farm ops apprenticeship programs. | Lents Town Center | 2024-2025 | $68,786 | |
| All Ages Music | BIPOC & LGBTQ+ Youth Community Arts Center: Fire suppression system. | Interstate Corridor | 2024-2025 | $73,495 | |
| Alberta Abbey | Café Renovation: Plumbing, electrical, lighting, and other interior improvements. | Interstate Corridor | 2024-2025 | $67,900 | |
| Sabin CDC | Service-Learning Program Hub: Interior includes drywall, carpet, pain, electrical; exterior includes front & back porches, paint, & landscaping. | Interstate Corridor | 2024-2025 | $68,920 | |
| St. Andrews | Site improvements: Includes ADA improvements, community bench in existing wall, mosaic art installation, and mural. | Interstate Corridor | 2024-2025 | $46,000 | |
| St. Johns Boosters | St. Johns Plaza Lighting: Lamp posts, electrical, & control panel. | Interstate Corridor | 2024-2025 | $43,685 | |
| Skaters for Portland Skateparks in Partnership with PSU | Relocation of The Courts Skatepark: Resurfacing, concrete steps, & seating. | North Macadam | 2024-2025 | $300,000 |
