The I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project Watch

05/10/2023

ODOT recently submitted an application for the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project, with the support of 14 agency and community partners, requesting $850 million under the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods federal grant program. This grant program is dedicated to fostering equitable development and restoration by improving access to daily needs and reconnecting communities cut off from economic opportunities by transportation infrastructure.

The bulk of the funds requested would go towards the construction of the highway cover essential for reconnecting the Albina community severed during the Interstate 5 construction in the 1960s.

20/07/2023

Two Bridge Projects Delayed, One Connecting Oregon and Washington Moves Forward

The Oregon governor placed a moratorium on using tolls to raise money for bridge projects, but more is still being done to get another bridge project moving. Last year, Washington state lawmakers committed $1 billion toward constructing a new Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River. Now, Oregon's Legislature has made a matching contribution from the State's general fund. Working with another state may be the answer in securing federal funds.

The Rose Quarter Improvement Project in Portland has stalled due to funding issues as the project's budget increases. That area of the I-5 freeway needs improvement. The bridge connecting Oregon and Washington, however, is in major focus now as it affects several states and other countries. This bridge is the only spot on I-5 from Mexico to Canada where cars have to stop for boat traffic, which can create huge freeway backups and delays.

Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has been relying on plans to toll Portland-area highways in order to pay for local capital projects like the Rose Quarter and the second phase of its plan to widen parts of I-205 through Clackamas County. The price tags for these two projects are $1.3 billion and $550 million, respectively.

Washington State is serious as Oregon became conservative when looking at capital outlays for bridge projects. Oregon's Governor Tina Kotek recently decreed ODOT pause toll collection efforts until at least 2026. A finance plan for ODOT's Urban Mobility Strategy was created upon Kotek's request. She wanted the agency to lay out an updated finance plan for Portland-area projects that ODOT was relying on tolling revenue to fund.

In addition to the tolling moratorium, the report also points to "very high inflation in highway construction across the country." In the draft plan, ODOT asked the Oregon Transportation Commission to assist with making the Rose Quarter Improvement Project "competitive for future funding opportunities and eventual construction."

Federal funding through grants is still viable for the Rose Quarter Improvement Project. ODOT is requesting support so that the project could win federal grants like the one ODOT was denied earlier this year (USDOT's Reconnecting Communities grant program). While some were happy about the delay, others in the community were unhappy that the Rose Quarter project had been delayed.

A narrow form of environmental issues was pushed to delay or stop the Portland bridge project. But, some others were looking at righting racialized environmental wrongs as to why the project should move forward. The prime contractor for construction on the I-5 Rose Quarter Highway project is Raimore Construction. The company is Black-owned with a record of high-quality work and having a diverse workforce. Living wage jobs and real business opportunities for Blacks, historically displaced, and denied opportunities is the environmental racism that Raimore and other community leaders and workers have pushed forward.

For the I-5 bridge connecting Washington and Oregon, officials still must seek federal grants to complete the $5 billion and $7.5 billion project. Hope came through in the last few days of Oregon's legislative session. Lawmakers authorized paying $1 billion over the next eight years toward replacing the I-5 bridge between Portland and Vancouver. The Pacific Northwest states can seek grant money from the federal government as a team, which makes the application for federal funds much more competitive.

Unity with such a project usually works. With Oregon's $1 billion added to Washington's, the project will now seek federal grants of up to $3 billion. Federal grants may be awarded as early as next January, and construction could start the year after that.

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02/07/2023

https://theportlandmedium.com/local-news/oregons-minimum-wage-rising-july-1-construction-better-pay/

In Portland, some will start out making much more. People working in the construction trades can earn a salary that dwarfs the current and furture minimum wage rates.

28/06/2023

https://www.youtube.com/live/w0oC3VP1vB0?feature=share

HOW TO PROVIDE LIVE PUBLIC COMMENT DURING THIS MEETING: If you are observing the meeting online, the facilitator will offer you an opportunity to provide co...

23/06/2023

19/06/2023

https://youtu.be/OWlSr4QH2Y0

We put clips together to inform about Blacks in Construction. Clips are from the Resource Scholars Show at www.resourcescholarsshow.com. Expert Amber Ontive...

02/06/2023

New Program Helps Landlords, Good Jobs Help Tenants

Portland landlords are being incentivized to support a new law that provides rent and repairs for low income tenants. The rising economy in Oregon however, is making way for living wage jobs. Those opportunities will allow residents to be able to afford where they live. The I-5 Rose City Improvement project lead by prime contractor Raimore Construction Company helps in the upswing of the local economy.

Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas county voters supported Measure 26-210 in May 2020 to prevent people from being put out on the streets. The supportive housing services measure created the “Risk Mitigation Program” which reimburses landlords while the Regional Long-term Rent Assistance (RLRA) program helps low-income tenants cover their rent each month. RLRA-subsidized units in need of repair also qualify. It is being reported that an increasing number of private landlords in the tri-county area have opted into the program.

Some have been critical about the outcomes of past low income housing programs. Some critics say that housing programs have done more to split families and hold people in poverty versus solving the problem through jobs, job training, and entrepreneurship. Many of those same people see programs helping seniors and the disabled as positive. Landlords who already oversee subsidized housing are automatically eligible for the program.

Raimore recently held an event to provide living wage jobs to local residents. The Black-owned general contractor is a leader in engaging diverse community members in its workforce and business procurements. In Portland State University’s Black Business Experience class, Raimore is studied for its prowess in the area of building Black wealth through organic community outreach, education, and entrepreneur support.

On the website for their most recent hiring event, Raimore layed out a telling list for how they attract new workers. They offered people to learn about:

- job opportunities in the trades, construction, transportation, and local government

- living-wage jobs with a high school degree/GED or directly out of college

- earn-as-you-learn job opportunities

- apprenticeships and training

- debt-free career pathways

The Oregon Department of Transportation stated Raimore's success with the $70 million TriMet Division Transit Project, the largest DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) contract in Oregon history.

Portland landlords are being incentivized to support a new law that provides rent and repairs for low income tenants. The rising economy in Oregon however, is making way for living wage jobs.

07/05/2023

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRwKTY4w/

This is a huge jobs event paying great money for the best company in Oregon.