Historically, Prosper Portland’s physical projects are some of the most well-known in the city: development of Museum Place, Eastbank Esplanade, Portland’s Rose Quarter, light rail to the airport and North Interstate Avenue, the Classical Chinese Garden, Pioneer Place, Pioneer Courthouse Square, RiverPlace, Chinatown Gateway, renovation of historic Union Station, and the redevelopment of the North Park Blocks. Prior to the creation of the Portland Housing Bureau, Prosper Portland (then known as the Portland Development Commission) made thousands of loans to Portland homeowners to make needed repairs to their homes, ensuring that these houses remained up to code and were also safe to live in. The agency also provided more than 7,000 loans to owners of rental housing to fix substandard rental units and maintain affordable rents.
More recently, Prosper Portland has contributed to, managed and/or completed a variety of significant economic development and community-driven projects including the Portland Mercado in SE Portland, the launch of the Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative and Main Street Network, Alberta Commons, the redevelopment of Lents Town Center, Techtown Portland and the Tech Diversity Pledge, and the Mercatus digital platform to showcase and connect local business owners of color. Looking ahead, Prosper Portland’s work in developing the Broadway Corridor in NW Portland is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform the downtown Portland landscape, creating affordable housing, jobs, and opportunities for economic, business, social and community development.