Metro councilor briefs Troutdale on housing, urban growth boundary and Expo Center plans; locals push East County housing summit

Metro Councilor Ashton Simpson gave a regional briefing to the Troutdale City Council on Feb. 25, outlining Metro’s priorities for affordable housing, the urban growth boundary and a futures plan for the Portland Expo Center.

Simpson described Metro’s recent approval of an urban growth boundary expansion for Sherwood West (about 1,200 acres), and said Metro attached conditions including affordable housing and industrial protection. He also described an Expo Center redevelopment concept focused on amateur and youth sports to draw tourism and support regional economic activity. Simpson said Metro’s affordable housing bond has funded more than 5,000 units — exceeding a 3,900‑unit goal — and that bond funds are expected to be fully committed by 2027; he said policymakers are developing options for sustaining supportive housing services beyond the bond funding cycle and that a ballot measure could be considered for fall 2026.

During public comment Stacy Bloom of the East Metro Leaders Roundtable urged the council to prioritize housing issues for East Multnomah County and participate in a regional summit focused on expanding housing supply, removing barriers and exploring funding tools. Bloom said the roundtable represents leaders from East Multnomah cities and unincorporated areas and that East County accounts for more than 210,000 residents.

Councilors asked follow-up questions about Expo Center event continuity, park funding for the Sandy Riverfront project and details of housing funding sources. Simpson offered to have Metro staff follow up on specific questions and invited Troutdale councilors to a Metro mixer on March 16.