Portland invests in critical piece to create OMSI District [Video]

PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland City Council unanimously approved funding a critical piece of infrastructure to make the transformation of OMSI’s waterfront campus into a modern mixed-use pocket neighborhood one step closer to reality. 

The future “OMSI District” plans to include up to 1,200 units of new housing, with a minimum of 20% reserved for low-income families, as well as retail and education space, along with a new waterfront park — but to do that, new roads must be built.

The up to $16.9 million in funds approved goes toward Portland Bureau of Transportation to construct New Water Avenue that will serve as the main thoroughfare for the district to the Central Eastside. Two other streets will be built to assist with traffic.

“This is a significant day for Portland, and I’ll tell you why the legislation before us today is …