Mayor Keith Wilson today celebrated the leadership of the U.S. Senators and Representatives who won federal funding for six major Portland projects focused on creating more affordable housing, safeguarding the environment, improving traffic safety for pedestrians, boosting development in the inner city, and preventing overdoses. Altogether the direct federal appropriations total about $6.7 million.

"Every single one of these six projects is a big win for people in our community," Wilson said. "Together, they represent a major milestone in Portland's turnaround. We're grateful for the leadership and the influence of our Members of Congress who fought to fund these projects. I want to thank Senator Ron Wyden, Senator Jeff Merkley, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, and Congresswoman Maxine Dexter for their work to make these projects happen. They're a great team and they're great advocates for our city."

The six appropriations were included in H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, which was signed into law on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

"Getting federal funding for these projects is a major accomplishment," Wilson said. "Portland owes our Congressional delegation a debt of gratitude."

The appropriations don't pay for any of these projects in their entirety. But in each case, they represent a vital part of the funding package.

Read on for more detail about the six projects.

Ellington Redevelopment

• Appropriation: $2 million
• Requested by: Congresswoman Maxine Dexter
• Supported by: Senator Wyden and Senator Merkley

More than 80 years old, the Ellington Apartments affordable housing campus in Northeast Portland needs urgent, major repair - made possible with federal support. Owned by the Portland Housing Bureau, the 27 two-story buildings were constructed between 1942 and 1948, offering 263 affordable units. Apartments lack amenities to meet the needs of current residents, and the low density means that the campus has capacity for many more units.

The City of Portland is working with Home Forward on a four-phase plan to redevelop the site as 400-450 new units offering improved accessibility, energy efficiency and amenities. Phase I includes demolition of seven aging buildings (68 units) and new construction of 87 replacement units in two buildings. The new units will have one to four bedrooms and serve renters earning up to 60% of the area median income. Phase I construction will also include a community center, outdoor play area, community garden and parking.

Federal funds will prepare the site for construction: re-platting the property, planning community engagement, investing in solar and geothermal feasibility studies, and testing soils for contamination.

"The Ellington project is a vital step toward providing more affordable housing for our community," Wilson said. "We're grateful for the advocacy of Congresswoman Dexter, Senator Wyden, and Senator Merkley for getting federal dollars to bring this forward."

Clara Vista Redevelopment

• Appropriation: $1 million
• Requested by: Senator Wyden and Senator Merkley

Portland Housing Bureau and Hacienda CDC will redevelop Clara Vista, an affordable housing development in the Cully neighborhood. The 108-unit garden apartment complex, built in the 1960s and 1970s, has reached the end of its useful life. Existing units will be torn down and replaced with new buildings, constructed in two stages. Development will be sequenced, so current tenants can move directly into the new units. By consolidating to a smaller portion of the site, the project will free up two acres for future use as affordable housing or supportive functions.

The redeveloped Clara Vista will include three four-story buildings with elevators, laundry rooms, landscaped open space and sustainable features such as solar. Funding partners include Oregon Housing and Community Services, Metro, Portland Clean Energy Fund and Raza Development Fund, a national Latino-focused nonprofit lender.

The federal funds will be used for acquisition and construction costs.

"Affordable housing is one of Portland's top priorities," Wilson said. "Senator Wyden and Senator Merkley have shown strength and leadership in obtaining federal support for the Clara Vista project."

Overdose Response Program

• Appropriation: $1.5 million
• Requested by: Senator Wyden and Senator Merkley

Portland Fire & Rescue's Community Health Overdose Response Team administers the innovative Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Program (MOUD). In response to a 911 overdose call, MOUD provides access to medication to treat overdose directly in the community, rather than transporting patients to overloaded emergency rooms that do not offer the services these patients need.

MOUD connects patients directly to treatment centers that offer wrap-around services for substance use disorder, including patient navigation and aftercare services.

Reducing the time it takes to administer medicine is the greatest indicator of life-saving success in response to overdose. Supporting the goal of response-time efficiency, MOUD sends one paramedic and one nurse in a SUV, rather than four firefighters in an engine, to each overdose - yielding faster response. It also protects vital and overstretched ambulances for emergencies that truly require transport to a hospital.

"This project saves lives and gives people a second chance," Wilson said. "We are lucky to have advocates like Senator Wyden and Senator Merkley who understand the potential of projects like MOUD to help our community recover from the devastating impact of fentanyl and other addictive drugs. I am proud of their support."

César E. Chávez Boulevard Safety

• Appropriation: $250,000
• Requested by: Congresswoman Maxine Dexter
• Supported by: Senator Wyden and Senator Merkley

This project will improve safety on a 1-mile stretch of Cesar Chavez Boulevard between Hawthorne Boulevard and Powell Boulevard in SE Portland. This corridor connects several densely populated neighborhoods, and a bus line serves numerous stops along the corridor. The boulevard is lined with multi-family housing, including hundreds of subsidized units and a community for people with disabilities. Two large grocery stores at either end of the corridor attract people from across the neighborhood. This stretch area sees a disproportionate number of serious and fatal crashes.

Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will use the federal funds to expand efforts to improve the corridor. Safety upgrades may include lane restriping, additional street lighting, traffic signal rebuilds, upgraded crossings, ADA ramps, sidewalk widening and stormwater or tree planters.

"This stretch of Chavez Boulevard is one of the most dangerous thoroughfares in Portland," Wilson said. "This project will save lives - lives of pedestrians, bus riders, cyclists, and drivers. We are grateful for the leadership of Congresswoman Dexter, Senator Wyden and Senator Merkley in getting the federal funding that can help turn this project into reality."

Wastewater Treatment Equipment

• Appropriation: $1.1 million
• Requested by: Congresswoman Maxine Dexter
• Supported by: Senator Wyden and Senator Merkley

The Bureau of Environmental Services will use federal funds to support the purchase of replacement mixers and repair kits for the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant, and portable generators to serve the City's network of 98 pump stations. The mixers will replace failing equipment and minimize the time that units are down for repairs. Mixers help to treat wastewater by increasing gas generation and breaking down solids, leading to cleaner rivers. The portable generators help the plant operate during storms and power outages. The total project cost is $4,550,200.

"Our rivers are the lifeblood of our city," said Mayor Wilson. "If they aren't healthy, Portland isn't healthy. This project will help keep our rivers the way they should be -- teeming with life, nourishing our hearts and our souls. Thanks to Representative Dexter, Senator Wyden, and Senator Merkley for being such tenacious champions for our rivers and our environment."

Gateway to OMSI

• Appropriation: $850,000
• Requested by: Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici

This project will modernize two key intersections at the northern and southern ends of the OMSI District project, a major redevelopment poised to unlock $1 billion in economic development and affordable housing in the central eastside. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and partners have put together a plan to turn brownfields and parking lots into an inclusive neighborhood rooted in innovation, culture, arts, and science learning. The development, in the heart of Portland's eastside, will include 1,200 housing units, a Center for Tribal Nations, and a waterfront park.

For this development to occur, the Portland Bureau of Transportation will need to renovate Water Avenue. The federal funds will be used to rebuild the two major intersections to improve safety and reduce wait times.

"The OMSI District is one of the most exciting projects we've ever seen in Portland," said Mayor Wilson. "It will bring affordable housing, economic development, science, art, and culture to the heart of the city. But it could never happen without the vision and the support of Congresswoman Bonamici. We are lucky to have her advocating for Portland."