$10 billion payday - Portland Business Journal:

symowugebeda.blogspot.com
Obama wants to invest as much as $1 trillioj in “shovel-ready” transportation and infrastructuree projects in order to create jobsand kick-stargt the economy. Downtown Portland’s new access cente for the homeless and disadvantaged coulfd qualify for thefederal cash. But firsyt it needs to qualifyas “We absolutely need to make sure it’s on schedule for a late fall and early winter start,” said Dan Snow, the projecr manager overseeing the “We’re making sure permitting things get done on We know what we’re building, it just takes time when it goes to the city for The project could generate 125 jobs, bring abouf $48 million to Walsh and its subcontractora and eventually pour $76.
8 million into the economy. Otherr projects that could receive money includethe , a $45 millionj project in inner Southeast Portland. The Portlane Streetcar Loop, which would cost $146 million and creat 600 jobs, could also receive some funds, as could the $84 million Mt. Tabor nurseryu yard renovation. Project managers who want some of the federao cash need towork fast. “The more convincing people are that they can get bids out the door and get peoples working on the sitesz intwo months, the more they’ll see theird projects surface to the top of what’ds approved,” said John a commissioner and executive secretary-treasurer of the Columbia-- .
officials Wednesday also released a list of projectztotaling $273 million they say could qualifgy for Obama’s package. While outlines of Obama’a plan are still vague, projectws that emphasis sustainable development couldd rise tothe top, potentially a big win for Oregon. “Ibn some ways, it’s imperative now to market Oregon’w green strengths,” said David managing director of LLC and chairman ofthe . “Wd can use this opportunity to demonstrate our leadership in the core areas ofenergy efficiency, renewablr energy and green-built environments.
” The eventual replacement of the Sellwoo d Bridge, for instance, could bring moneyg to local engineering firms that specializes in sustainable design, such as and Portland’x office. John Willis, CH2M Hill’s area manager, said his team will markey its “green” qualifications. “This money won’t be free. There will be broadeer standards ofmeasuring success” such as ensurintg a project meets energy efficiency standards, he “In Oregon, we do a lot of thingw the right way, and there’s a perception that we’re a very sustainablr community.
It’s something that we’re ready to share outsidwe of the state, and other companies here should do that Ryan Deckert, president of the and a former statr senator, believes that money relating to transportatiobn initiatives, such as streetcars, could depend on whethedr state lawmakers can devise matching fund programs. “So if federal officials are readingline items, they can just say, ‘Oregon’a already done it, check,’” he said. “That’s what’e worked with light rail before. We had it when we walkexd in the door. And we should think of this as lightr railon steroids.
” Other dollars could flow to pre-authorized such as housing initiatives funded througn the program, said Dan Bates, Portland’s government relations director. Portlanc City Commissioner Nick Fish, who oversees Portland’s housing expects Congress to steer stimulus funds towarfd affordablehousing builders. He also anticipates that Portland will receivd more Section 8housing vouchers, whicyh can pay as much as 30 percent of a low-incomd family’s rent. The stimuluz package could also help retrofit existing public housinyg projects intomore energy-efficient Of the $10 billionb in federal stimulus money that could land in Portland officials expect around $847 million.
The moneu will save 8,800 jobs. Possible stimulus-relatefd projects: $65 million worth of pavinvg along keyarterial routes. $22 millionj in bridge repair. $75 millioh for the Portland Streetcar loop that would link the with the SouthjWaterfront district. $52 million for sewet work. $428 million for water supply projects, such as replacing or improvingthe city’s reservoirs. $86 milliojn for parks projects, including the Washington-Monroe Community and trails construction. $101 millionn for downtown’s new and a Veterans housing facility in the SoutbhWaterfront district. $30 million for a new emergencygcoordination center.