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.
Project Description TIF District Fiscal Year Award
Kickstand Comedy Tenant improvements Central Eastside 2022-2023 $135,000
Imago Theatre ADA accessibility & space expansion Central Eastside 2022-2023 $100,000
Shaking the Tree Theatre Warehouse insulation for year-round use Central Eastside 2022-2023 $26,000
Oregon Museum of Science & Industry Public space upgrade Central Eastside 2022-2023 $100,000
REAP, Inc. Parking lot improvements Gateway Regional Center 2022-2023 $25,000
Childswork Learning Center Classroom space expansion Gateway Regional Center 2022-2023 $175,000
POIC + RAHA Completion of North Campus expansion Interstate Corridor 2022-2023 $90,000
Learning Training Academy Space upgrades to child development center Interstate Corridor 2022-2023 $75,000
Airway Science for Kids Community Center Interstate Corridor 2022-2023 $30,000
LGBTQ Community Center Renovations Interstate Corridor 2022-2023 $43,975
Alberta Abbey HVAC renovation to performance space Interstate Corridor 2022-2023 $25,000
Unity in Our Community Shelter tenant improvements Interstate Corridor 2022-2023 $12,500
Immaculate Heart Food pantry improvements Interstate Corridor 2022-2023 $42,325
Skanner Foundation Mural to discourage graffiti Interstate Corridor 2022-2023 $10,000
Mental Health Association of Oregon Office improvements Lents Town Center 2022-2023 $50,000
Green Lents Tool library improvements Lents Town Center 2022-2023 $40,350
Mt Scott Learning Center Wheelchair lift Lents Town Center 2022-2023 $43,500
Performance Works NW ADA improvements Lents Town Center 2022-2023 $45,000
ROSE CDC Laundry room improvements Lents Town Center 2022-2023 $17,000
Oregon Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Associations Ornamental roof parapet Old Town 2022-2023 $150,000
Oregon Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Associations Old Town street sign toppers Old Town 2022-2023 $10,000
Blanchet House Windows and lighting Old Town 2022-2023 $10,000
Oregon Chinese Coalition Wong Laundry Building restoration Old Town 2022-2023 $50,000
Street Roots 2BWell building renovation Old Town 2022-2023 $100,000
Mindset Over Everything Boxing gym build-out Old Town 2022-2023` $10,000
Oregon Jewish Museum Gallery expansion Old Town 2022-2023 $115,000
Maybelle Center LBGTQ+ permanent art installation. Old Town 2022-2023 $12,500
Japanese American Museum of Oregon Site improvements Old Town 2022-2023 $25,000
Lan Su Chinese Garden Safety improvements Old Town 2022-2023 $60,588
Oregon College of Oriental Medicine Building upgrades Old Town 2022-2023 $115,000
Cascade Aids Project ADA upgrades Old Town 2022-2023 $5,000
Central City Concern New space for Homeless-To-Work program Old Town 2022-2023 $100,000