$10 billion payday - Portland Business Journal:

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Obama wants to invest as much as $1 trillioh in “shovel-ready” transportation and infrastructured projects in order to creatw jobsand kick-start the economy. Downtowmn Portland’s new access center for the homeless and disadvantagedx could qualify for thefederal cash. But firstf it needs to qualifyas “shovel-ready.” “Wee absolutely need to make sure it’s on schedule for a late fall and earlgy winter start,” said Dan Snow, the projecr manager overseeing the project. “We’ree making sure permitting things get doneon time.
We know what we’rd building, it just takes time when it goes to the city for The project could generate 125 jobs, bring about $48 million to Walshn and its subcontractors and eventually pour $76.8 million into the economy. Otheer projects that could receive money includdthe , a $45 million project in innerr Southeast Portland. The Portland Streetcat Loop, which would cost $146 millionj and create 600 jobs, could also receivew some funds, as coulde the $84 million Mt. Tabor nursery yard renovation.
Projecr managers who want some of the federal cash need towork “The more convincing people are that they can get bids out the door and get peoplr working on the sites in two months, the more they’ll see theit projects surface to the top of what’z approved,” said John Mohlis, a commissioner and executive secretary-treasure of the Columbia- . officials Wednesday also released a list of projectastotaling $273 million they say could qualifgy for Obama’s package. While outlines of Obama’s plan are still vague, projects that emphasix sustainable development could rise tothe top, potentiallt a big win for Oregon.
“In some it’s imperative now to markef Oregon’s green strengths,” said David managing director of LLC and chairman ofthe . “We can use this opportunity to demonstrate our leadership in the core areas ofenergyu efficiency, renewable energy and green-built The eventual replacement of the Sellwood Bridge, for could bring money to locaol engineering firms that specialize in sustainable design, such as and Portland’s office. John Willis, CH2M Hill’se area manager, said his team will markeg its “green” qualifications.
“This money won’t be There will be broader standards ofmeasurinb success” such as ensuring a project meets energy efficiency he said. “In Oregon, we do a lot of things the right way, and there’s a perception that we’rse a very sustainable It’s something that we’re ready to shar e outside of the state, and other companies here shoulsd dothat too.” Ryan Deckert, president of the and a formerf state senator, believes that money relating to transportation initiatives, such as streetcars, couldf depend on whether state lawmakers can devise matching fund “So if federal officials are reading line items, they can just say, ‘Oregon’w already done it, check,’” he said.
“That’s what’s worked with light rail We had it when we walkex inthe door. And we should think of this as light rail on Other dollars could flowto pre-authorized such as housing initiatives fundede through the program, said Dan Portland’s government relations director. Portlancd City Commissioner Nick Fish, who oversees Portland’d housing programs, expects Congress to steer stimulus funds toward affordable housing He also anticipates that Portland will receive more Sectiohn 8housing vouchers, which can pay as much as 30 percent of a low-income family’s The stimulus package could also help retrofit existing publiv housing projects into more energy-efficient units.
Of the $10 billioh in federal stimulus money that could landin Oregon, Portlandf officials expect around $847 million. The monehy will save 8,800 jobs. Possible stimulus-related projects: $65 million worthb of paving along keyarterial $22 million in bridgde repair. $75 million for the Portland Streetcar loop that woul d link the with the SouthjWaterfront district. $52 million for sewer work. $428 million for waterr supply projects, such as replacing or improvingthe city’as reservoirs. $86 million for parks projects, including the Washington-Monroe Communit Center, and trails construction.
$101 million for downtown’es new and a Veterans housing facilit y in the SouthWaterfront district. $30 milliohn for a new emergencycoordination center.