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Board approves $150,000 contribution to support Federal Street Plaza state grant application
Summary
Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency adopted a resolution to contribute up to $150,000 as partial match for a $1 million Oregon State Parks grant application to build the Federal Street Plaza.
The Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency on Feb. 18 adopted Resolution 25‑001 authorizing a contribution not to exceed $150,000 in support of the Federal Street Plaza project and staff’s planned application to Oregon State Parks for a $1 million local government grant.
Staff described the plaza as primarily a city project and said the $150,000 allocation is intended as partial match to strengthen the state grant application. Staff also said the plaza was added to the urban renewal plan during the recent substantial amendment to help leverage external funding and to support adjacent downtown redevelopment.
Staff noted the state parks grant program requires local match and a resolution demonstrating the agency’s willingness to participate; staff said a similar resolution would be brought to city council before the grant is submitted. The parks district director had signaled preliminary support and may provide a letter of support or additional match, staff said.
One board member opposed using urban renewal funds for what was described as primarily a city project, arguing that the agency should prioritize projects that more directly raise property values within the urban renewal area. Other board members said the plaza is a modest investment relative to projected benefits for downtown property values and for coordinating with nearby redevelopment efforts.
The board voted to adopt the resolution authorizing the contribution and directed staff to proceed with the grant application to Oregon State Parks.
