*Authorize application for grant in the amount of $5 million from the Economic Development Administration for O’Bryant Square Renovation - American Rescue Plan Act Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Notice of Funding Opportunity

The City of Portland ordains: Section 1. The Council finds: The Federal Government has created a grant opportunity through the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to help communities and regions devise and implement sustainable economic recovery strategies through a variety of non-construction and construction projects to respond to Coronavirus-related damage to the travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation sectors and to promote the economic resilience of regions dependent on those industries. The EDA’s American Rescue Plan Act Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation grant is intended to fund projects that are focused on new and expanded infrastructure, projects with a multi-state or national focus, and projects in regions most adversely affected by damage to the travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation sectors from the Coronavirus pandemic. Investments should support the economic recovery through strong employment opportunities for workers, including but not limited to opportunities for workforce development, rehiring of laid off workers, and creating and retaining union jobs and well-paying jobs with good benefits. Moreover, it is important that investments in infrastructure and construction projects be carried out in ways that produce high-quality infrastructure, avert disruptive and costly delays, and promote efficiency. Portland Parks & Recreation, in partnership with the Bureau of Planning & Sustainability, the Bureau of Transportation, Prosper Portland and Travel Portland, have identified the renovation of O’Bryant Square and nearby public realm improvements in the rights-of-way for this EDA grant opportunity. O’Bryant Square is a City property, managed by Portland Parks & Recreation. The Portland Bureau of Transportation manages a City parking garage beneath O’Bryant Square. The structural condition of the parking garage makes the park unstable and unsafe for use. The park has been fenced and closed to the public since 2018. Re-opening O’Bryant Square will require the demolition of the parking garage and improvements to the park. The renovation of O’Bryant Square is currently unfunded, but there are $3 million in Parks Capital Funding allocated for capacity increasing enhancements at the site in the event that the replacement funding is secured. In its current condition, O’Bryant Square presents a liability and danger to residents, workers, and visitors downtown and an impediment to downtown recovery. The proposed project will reopen O’Bryant Square and provide public realm improvements to nearby rights-of-way including a segment of the Green Loop, Portland’s proposed seven-mile trail connecting key destinations in the Central City. The project’s segment of the Green Loop will connect it to the newly reopened Ankeny Park West, a half-acre park surrounded by food carts. The renovation of O’Bryant Square will promote travel and tourism, boost outdoor recreation, and attract visitors to the trail, parks, food carts, and other downtown destinations. Grant funding will help revitalize and support downtown Portland’s recovery. NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs: The Mayor is hereby authorized to make application to the Economic Development Administration for a grant in the amount of $5 million. The Mayor is authorized to accept on behalf of the City a grant when awarded and to execute a grant agreement. The Mayor is authorized to provide such information and assurances as required for the grant period. The Office of Management & Finance Grants Management Division is authorized to perform all administrative matters in relation to the grant application, grant agreement or amendments, requests reimbursement from the grantor, and to submit required online grant documents on the Mayor’s behalf. Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists because a delay would unnecessarily hinder the City’s ability to apply for the grant funds; therefore, this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.