Funded by a $1 fee on each ton of waste processed at the Metro Central Transfer Station in Northwest Portland, this grant program benefits the neighborhoods of Forest Park and Linnton; the Northwest District Association and the Northwest Industrial Area; and an area around Cathedral Park in St Johns. A committee of local residents and Metro Councilor reviews applications and selects projects to fund. The Metro Central Community Enhancement Committee approved funding for twelve projects in the 2024 grant cycle, awarding a total of $326,574.
Chapman Elementary School: $21,000
This project will support the Reading Results program that provides a proven reading intervention program to first, second and third grade students who are reading one to two grades below grade level.
Friendly House: $40,000
Friendly House will deliver senior services to support older adults to live healthy and independent lives. The funding also supports managing a community center for congregation and connection through fitness programs, classes, volunteer opportunities, showers and internet access.
Friends of Trees: $24,686
Friends of Trees’ certified arborists will work with community volunteers and youth interns to prune and assess 150-200 street trees at residences and businesses in the St Johns, Cathedral Park, and Linnton neighborhoods. Youth interns will gain skills in tree identification, tree care and pruning and community engagement.
Lift Urban Portland: $22,000
This project will replace and upgrade a food pantry refrigeration and freezer system to accommodate additional food donations for northwest Portland residents. This increased capacity will help meet increased demand for weekly food deliveries and pick-ups for households throughout the grant area.
Linnton Community Center: $53,405
This project will weatherize the community center and prevent future moisture damage by caulking cracks and applying silicone elastomeric coating to the exterior of the Linnton Community Center.
Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership: $25,938
The project will provide recreation opportunities and on-river environmental education to individuals and community organizations in the grant boundary area. This will include a series of eight on-river trips on the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership’s 29-foot Big Canoes.
Re:Solve: $21,700
The project will provide residents of the grant boundary area with an event connecting people with agencies who are committed to responding to the potential magnitude 9 Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. The group will also create a video education package for the event that includes a three minute animated video about the risks to the Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub.
Skyline School: $11,500
This project will support the Reading Results program that provides a proven reading intervention program to first, second and third grade students who are reading one to two grades below grade level.
SOLVE: $23,875
The project will lead 250 volunteers in ten community clean up events. SOLVE will work with community organizations and individual volunteers to mobilize a series of trash, debris and biohazard cleanup events in the Northwest Industrial District.
St. Johns Food Share: $19,000
This project will install ventilation fans, a 400 amp. electrical circuit box and replace energy inefficient refrigerators and freezers.
Store to Door: $25,000
Store to Door will support independent living for homebound seniors and those living with disabilities through personal, volunteer-based grocery shopping and deliveries, free food box deliveries, friendly caller social connections and referrals to other community services.
Trailkeepers of Oregon: $38,470
Trailkeepers of Oregon will make improvements to three trails in the Portland Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary. Improvements to the Woodpecker Trail, Jay Trail and an entry connecting trail will include replacing two sets of stairs, building one new set of stairs, building one rock wall, realigning 120 feet of trail to bypass an aging bridge and realigning 320 feet of trail to reduce the slope of the trail entrance.
Learn more about Metro Central Enhancement Grants