NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Shawn Uhlman, Prosper Portland, 503-823-7994

Significant projects include the expansion of classroom space at Childworks Learning Center in Gateway; gallery expansion at the Oregon Jewish Museum, upgrades to the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, and new space for the Homeless-to-Work program at Central City Concern, all in Old Town; and tenant improvements for the Mental Health Association of Oregon office in Lents Town Center.  

The agency will award $1,805,738 in Community Livability Grants for fiscal 2022-23 to 32 projects in five tax increment districts or neighborhoods, leveraging more than $6.6 million in private investment. Two projects in Gateway Regional Center, four projects in Central Eastside, five in Lents Town Center, eight in Interstate Corridor, and 13 in the Old Town/Chinatown neighborhood will receive funding.

Prosper Portland Executive Director Kimberly Branam said, “Our assistance to community-serving projects is more critical than ever in the face of the challenges presented by the current public health and economic crisis. We’re grateful to be able to continue helping community organizations fulfill the aspirations of their neighborhoods and better serve diverse populations throughout the city with this year’s awards.”

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 $13 million to more than 230 community livability projects across multiple neighborhoods and TIF districts.

The full list of 2022-23 recipients is below.

ProjectDescriptionTIF DistrictFiscal YearAward
Kickstand ComedyTenant improvementsCentral Eastside2022-2023$135,000
Imago TheatreADA accessibility & space expansionCentral Eastside2022-2023$100,000
Shaking the Tree TheatreWarehouse insulation for year-round useCentral Eastside2022-2023$26,000
Oregon Museum of Science & IndustryPublic space upgradeCentral Eastside2022-2023$100,000
REAP, Inc.Parking lot improvementsGateway Regional Center2022-2023$25,000
Childswork Learning CenterClassroom space expansionGateway Regional Center2022-2023$175,000
POIC + RAHACompletion of North Campus expansionInterstate Corridor2022-2023$90,000
Learning Training AcademySpace upgrades to child development centerInterstate Corridor2022-2023$75,000
Airway Science for KidsCommunity CenterInterstate Corridor2022-2023$30,000
LGBTQ Community CenterRenovationsInterstate Corridor2022-2023$43,975
Alberta AbbeyHVAC renovation to performance spaceInterstate Corridor2022-2023$25,000
Unity in Our CommunityShelter tenant improvementsInterstate Corridor2022-2023$12,500
Immaculate HeartFood pantry improvementsInterstate Corridor2022-2023$42,325
Skanner FoundationMural to discourage graffitiInterstate Corridor2022-2023$10,000
Mental Health Association of OregonOffice improvementsLents Town Center2022-2023$50,000
Green LentsTool library improvementsLents Town Center2022-2023$40,350
Mt Scott Learning CenterWheelchair liftLents Town Center2022-2023$43,500
Performance Works NWADA improvementsLents Town Center2022-2023$45,000
ROSE CDCLaundry room improvementsLents Town Center2022-2023$17,000
Oregon Chinese Consolidated Benevolent AssociationsOrnamental roof parapetOld Town2022-2023$150,000
Oregon Chinese Consolidated Benevolent AssociationsOld Town street sign toppersOld Town2022-2023$10,000
Blanchet HouseWindows and lightingOld Town2022-2023$10,000
Oregon Chinese CoalitionWong Laundry Building restorationOld Town2022-2023$50,000
Street Roots2BWell building renovationOld Town2022-2023$100,000
Mindset Over EverythingBoxing gym build-outOld Town2022-2023`$10,000
Oregon Jewish MuseumGallery expansionOld Town2022-2023$115,000
Maybelle CenterLBGTQ+ permanent art installation.Old Town2022-2023$12,500
Japanese American Museum of OregonSite improvementsOld Town2022-2023$25,000
Lan Su Chinese GardenSafety improvementsOld Town2022-2023$60,588
Oregon College of Oriental MedicineBuilding upgradesOld Town2022-2023$115,000
Cascade Aids ProjectADA upgradesOld Town2022-2023$5,000
Central City ConcernNew space for Homeless-To-Work programOld Town2022-2023$100,000