Media Release

July 2, 2008

PDC Announces Six Community Livibility Grants in the Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal Area

Tax Increment Funds from the URA are Reinvested Back Into the Community

The Portland Development Commission has awarded community livability grants totaling $253,776 to enhance and expand capacity of six community facilities in the Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal Area (ICURA).  This year, grants will be used to help improve physical elements of facilities that can benefit the broader community.  These improvements include exterior building improvements, adding a community kitchen, installing a solar project on a historic building, renovating a long-vacant building into an arts center, and a historic/cultural preservation.

The six proposals awarded are:

Kenton Firehouse Solar Power Project, 2209 N. Schofield:  An award of $73,506 will be used to reduce electricity usage by 50% in this historic building by installing roof solar panels. 

Ethos Music Center Exterior Storefront Renovation Phase II, 10 N. Killingsworth:  An award of $33,563 will be used to complete storefront improvements on the Williams Avenue side of the building. 

Trillium Charter School Community Room, 5420 N. Interstate:  An award of $33,267 will be used to construct the infrastructure for a commercial kitchen in the school. 

Disjecta Interdisciplinary Art Center, 8371 N. Interstate:  An award of $34,980 will be used to add a new fire sprinkler system to the renovation of this long-vacant building located near the Kenton Station of the MAX Yellow Line. 

Polish Library Building, 3832 N. Interstate:  An award of $45,960 will be used to make exterior improvements on this historic building located on Interstate Avenue. 

Library Hall, 311 N. Ivy:  An award of $32,500 will be used to make exterior upgrades to this community center that has a rich history in the Boise neighborhood. 

This is the third year that PDC has awarded these grants using a competitive process.  PDC announced the availability of funds in March 2008 and received 14 proposals.  All 14 proposals represented worthy projects that would positively impact the community.  Grant monies for the program come from tax increment funds generated by the urban renewal area.  In this way, urban renewal funds are reinvested back into the community.

The proposals were geographically scattered in the urban renewal area and addressed varied community needs.  The total dollar request from the 14 applications was $623,373.  An evaluation committee of community residents and PDC staff reviewed the proposals and recommended the distribution of funds.  The evaluation committee reviewed and discussed the strength of each proposal in supporting the ICURA Plan’s goals and principles, specifically as they implement the Community Livability Implementation Strategy.  Priority was given to projects that best meet one or more of the evaluation criteria.

PDC expects to award Community Livability Grants in the Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal Area again in 2009.  Questions about the program should be directed to Susan Kuhn, PDC, 503-823-3406 or kuhns@pdc.us.

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Additional Project Information:

Kenton Firehouse Solar Power Project, 2209 N. Schofield:  An award of $73,506 will be used to reduce electricity usage by 50% in this historic building by installing roof solar panels.  The project will serve as a highly visible demonstration project for the urban renewal area and a community education opportunity.  The Kenton Firehouse is a community center and a historic landmark; the building and grounds are used for private parties and public community meetings.  The savings in utility costs will benefit the volunteer Historic Kenton Firehouse Committee that pays for the building utilities.

Ethos Music Center Exterior Storefront Renovation Phase II, 10 N. Killingsworth:  An award of $33,563 will be used to complete storefront improvements on the Williams Avenue side of the building.  Energy efficient windows and an ADA-certified door consistent with those previously installed will be added to the unfinished east-facing portion of the building.  In addition, a sliding ‘garage-door’ style entrance will be created with the ability to open the interior space to the outside, thereby both allowing more natural light and fresh air into the area saving on energy costs in the warm seasons and increasing the connection and visibility of the center’s activities to the community.  Ethos Music Center serves as a music school, a live music venue and a gathering place for students, parent and community members.

Trillium Charter School Community Room, 5420 N. Interstate:  An award of $33,267 will be used to construct the infrastructure for a commercial kitchen in the school.  The completed kitchen will allow Trillium to offer a hot school lunch and breakfast program, support the successful garden program, and provide community space with a kitchen.  Trillium Charter School purchased this building in 2006. This project is part of an on-going effort to renovate the new school building and community room space.  Trillium Charter School offers free public educational choice, as well as much needed childcare and after school programs.

Disjecta Interdisciplinary Art Center, 8371 N. Interstate:  An award of $34,980 will be used to add a new fire sprinkler system to the renovation of this long-vacant building located near the Kenton Station of the MAX Yellow Line.  The sprinkler system is one part of the conversation of this site into a center offering a visual arts gallery, artist residency and rental studios for artists and micro-businesses, a 100-250 seat performance space and a black box rehearsal studio.  Disjecta is a non-profit organization that provides resources for artists to create and exhibit new work through year-round exhibitions and event-based partnerships with various organizations.

Polish Library Building, 3832 N. Interstate:  An award of $45,960 will be used to make exterior improvements on this historic building located on Interstate Avenue.  Exterior improvements include brick cladding of foundation walls, sidewalk replacement, roof repairs, siding repair, and install of new exterior light fixtures.  The Polish Library Building was built in 1912 and used as a center for cultural events that serve the Polish and broader community.  Since 1994 the annual Polish Festival has been held at this site drawing over ten thousand people to the gathering.

Library Hall, 311 N. Ivy:  An award of $32,500 will be used to make exterior upgrades to this community center that has a rich history in the Boise neighborhood.  Upgrades will include new windows and doors, roofing and siding repair and interior/exterior painting.  Liberty Hall, built in 1952, serves as a meeting place for persons of other continents, is a source of programs that offer a bridge between disparate peoples and opportunities for cultural enrichment.

Evaluation Criteria

Priority was given to projects that best meet one or more of the evaluation criteria of:

• Maintain, enhance, and/or increase useable space of an existing community facility; or new construction of a community facility
• Preservation of a structure or feature of historic or cultural significance or that otherwise recognizes and honors the diverse cultural and social heritage of the ICURA
• Meet identified need(s) in the community, particularly improving community livability and emphasizing the needs of the elderly, youth, people of low income and/or people with disabilities
• Benefit the broader ICURA community and demonstrate accessibility to the general public
• Complement investments in housing, economic development, parks/open space or transportation that are supportive of the goals of the ICURA
• Demonstrate public support
• Leverage other resources
• Demonstrate financial need
• Project budget is realistic, complete, and feasible

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