Author Archives: Nick Wichman

Expo Sponsorship
City wide issues, Uncategorized

Expo Future Sponsorship: Funding Opportunity for North Portland Communities

TL;DR:
Metro is offering sponsorship funds—up to $5,000—for nonprofit organizations hosting events that uplift history, culture, and sports in connection with the Expo Center. Priority is given to North Portland neighborhoods, including East Columbia. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through June 30, 2025.

A New Opportunity to Celebrate Our Community

If you’re part of a local nonprofit—or know one doing great work in North Portland—there’s a timely opportunity to receive financial support from Metro’s Expo Future sponsorship fund. The program is focused on honoring cultural histories, promoting competitive events, and uplifting historically marginalized communities. This is a chance to bring meaningful activities to our neighborhood and beyond, with support from one of the region’s largest public agencies.

What’s Happening

Metro’s Expo Future project is offering sponsorships to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations (or groups with a fiscal sponsor). These funds are designed to support events and activities that connect to the Expo Center’s past and future—through community storytelling, sports, and more.

A total of $40,000 is available now through June 30, 2025. Awards typically range from $500 to $2,500, with a maximum of $5,000 per recipient per fiscal year.

The East Columbia neighborhood, along with 13 other North Portland communities, is included in Metro’s priority list.

What Kinds of Events Qualify?

Metro is looking to support activities that meet at least two of these seven goals:
Honor the site’s history: especially Indigenous, Japanese American, or Vanport histories.

  • Host sports competitions: especially events with equitable access or held at the Expo Center.
  • Celebrate culture and tourism: events that draw visitors to North Portland.
  • Uplift North Portland neighborhoods: especially those recognized by the City of Portland.
  • Promote play and sports tourism: including local tournaments and recreation.
  • Expand access for marginalized groups: increasing inclusive participation in events.
  • Support the Expo Center: including its redevelopment or future vision.

Even if your event doesn’t qualify for Expo Future, it may still be eligible for other Metro sponsorships.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online at any time:
👉 Apply here through Metro

Get Involved or Spread the Word

If you or your organization is interested in applying—or if you know a group that might be—now’s the time to share this opportunity.

Questions?
For Expo Future project-specific inquiries, reach out to:
Stephanie Redman (she/her or they)
Project Manager, Metro
📞 503-347-4587

For general sponsorship questions:
✉️ sponsorships@oregonmetro.gov

Let’s keep building a vibrant, inclusive, and active community together—rooted in our past and looking toward the future.

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City wide issues

City Budget Listening Sessions Are Here

TL;DR Summary
Portland is holding public listening sessions to gather community input on the city’s upcoming budget. Everyone is invited to attend and speak up! District 2 (that’s us!) will meet on Thursday, April 3 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at PCC Cascade, Moriarty Auditorium.
You can also submit written comments online.

What’s Happening

The City of Portland is hosting a series of budget listening sessions this spring to hear directly from residents about their priorities and concerns. These sessions are part of the annual budget process for Fiscal Year 2025–26.

Each district has its own session, but neighbors are welcome to attend any of them. East Columbia is located in District 2, so we’re especially encouraged to join that session on April 3.

City staff and elected leaders will be present to listen, answer questions, and gather feedback that helps shape how Portland spends its resources.

Why It Matters

The city budget affects everything from public safety and street maintenance to parks, community programs, and housing services. This is a powerful chance to advocate for what matters most to our neighborhood.

Whether it’s safer streets, better infrastructure, environmental resilience, or support for youth and families—you have a voice in how the city prioritizes.

Listening Session Details

District 2 (East Columbia’s District)

Date: Thursday, April 3
Time: 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Portland Community College Cascade – Moriarty Auditorium
5514-5518 N Albina Ave, Portland, OR 97217

Other District Sessions (open to all):

District 3: Tuesday, March 18 @ University of Western States
District 1: Thursday, March 20 @ Portland Fire Station 2
District 4: Tuesday, April 1 @ Portland Building (Downtown)


Full details and instructions to submit written testimony are on the Portland PEMO website.

How to Get Involved

Attend the District 2 Listening Session on April 3
Submit a written comment online
Spread the word to your neighbors
Let’s make sure East Columbia is heard in this year’s city budget!

Contact & Info
Have questions? Contact the Portland Public Environment Management Office:
Elizabeth O’Malley
Project Coordinator, City of Portland
elizabeth.omalley@portlandoregon.gov | 503-865-6298
www.portland.gov/pemo

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City wide issues

Get Involved: PBOT TSP Advisory Committee Applications Open

TL;DR Summary
PBOT is recruiting up to 30 community members for a new advisory committee to help guide Portland’s 2045 Transportation System Plan (TSP). Meetings begin in May 2025.
Applications are open through Monday, April 14.

Your Voice Matters in Portland’s Transportation Plans

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is updating the city’s long-range Transportation System Plan (TSP), and they want your help. A new Community Advisory Committee will guide this process, offering insight on transportation needs, community values, and how future investments should be prioritized.

Whether you’re a longtime transportation advocate or just care about how people get around in your neighborhood, this is a great opportunity to get involved.

What’s Happening

PBOT is forming a Transportation System Plan (TSP) Community Advisory Committee to support the planning process through 2027. The committee will:

  • Advise PBOT’s Director and project staff
  • Review draft policies and plans
  • Provide feedback on technical analyses and investment strategies
  • Center community values in future transportation decisions

The committee will meet about 7 times between May 2025 and the end of 2027, for two hours each. Most meetings will be hybrid (in-person and virtual options).

Why It Matters

The 2045 TSP is Portland’s roadmap for how we maintain, manage, and invest in transportation over the next 20 years. It’s a key part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and now must also reflect Oregon’s updated planning rules—aligning with climate goals, equity priorities, and community needs.

The committee’s work will help shape plans that:

  • Reduce traffic deaths and injuries (Vision Zero)
  • Improve transit and freight movement
  • Cut carbon emissions and promote health
  • Support economic opportunity
  • Create thriving neighborhoods and civic spaces
  • Ensure the system works for everyone, across all modes

As PBOT’s community engagement lead says: “Not an expert? No problem! Your lived experience is your expertise.”

Who Should Apply

Anyone who lives, works, goes to school, worships, or does business in Portland is eligible. PBOT is especially seeking a diverse mix of voices from:

  • All geographic areas of the city
  • Property and business owners
  • Advocacy and community organizations
  • Transportation and civic interest groups
  • People from under-served communities and historically excluded populations

How to Get Involved

Help build a transportation system that works for all Portlanders. Apply to the TSP Community Advisory Committee and bring your experience and values to the table.

Contact: PBOT@info.portland.gov
Application Deadline: April 14, 2025

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Portland's First Community Board for Police Accountability
City wide issues

Now Recruiting: Serve on Portland’s First Community Board for Police Accountability

TL;DR Summary:
The City of Portland is seeking volunteers to serve on a new Community Board for Police Accountability (CBPA). This board will play a key role in reviewing police conduct and recommending policy changes.
Applications are open now and due by Monday, April 14, 2025.

A New Chapter in Police Oversight

In 2020, Portland voters approved a measure to overhaul the city’s police oversight system. After years of community input, a new Office of Community-based Police Accountability (OCPA) has been established to lead this change. Now, Portlanders have a chance to directly participate by serving on the very first Community Board for Police Accountability.

This is a unique opportunity for residents from all walks of life to help shape the future of public safety in our city. The goal: a fairer, more transparent system that centers community voices.

What’s Happening

The City of Portland is now accepting applications for 21 volunteers to serve on the CBPA. These board members will:

  • Work with OCPA to investigate reported misconduct by Portland Police officers and supervisors
  • Review cases promptly, fairly, and impartially
  • Impose appropriate discipline when necessary
  • Recommend changes to police practices, policies, and directives

Board members will meet monthly on weekday evenings and receive a $500 annual stipend.

Why It Matters

This board is a cornerstone of Portland’s reimagined police oversight system. It’s designed to be community-led and independent, giving everyday Portlanders real influence over how public safety is handled in our city.

Importantly, the city is actively seeking people who may not have been involved in this kind of work before. Your lived experience, your neighborhood perspective, and your voice are all valuable.

How to Get Involved

Let’s Make Sure East Columbia Is Represented

If you’re passionate about fairness, public service, and accountability—or if you know someone who is—please consider applying or sharing this opportunity. This is a chance to help build a more responsive and inclusive public safety system for all of Portland.

Questions? Want a speaker at an upcoming meeting?
Reach out to Kristen Thorp from the Office of Community-based Police Accountability at kristen.thorp@portlandoregon.gov.

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City wide issues, Local Issues

Help Shape the Future of Central Portland: Apply to a TIF District Working Group

TL;DR Summary
The City is forming short-term Working Groups to guide the first 5-Year Action Plans for Portland’s new Central City TIF Districts. Applications are open through Friday, March 21.

Be Part of Portland’s Next Chapter

If you live, work, or have ties to Central Portland, here’s your chance to help shape how new public investments are made. The City is forming Working Groups for each of the three newly approved Central City Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts, and community voices are needed to set priorities for the first five years.

What’s Happening

The Portland Housing Bureau and Prosper Portland are putting together 13-15 person Working Groups for each of the following new TIF Districts:
– Central Eastside Corridor
– Lloyd-Holladay
– Westside

These Working Groups will help create 5-Year Action Plansthat determine how early TIF dollars are spent to grow economic opportunities and expand affordable housing.

The districts were approved by City Council in October 2024 and will begin collecting tax revenue starting July 1, 2025.

Why It Matters

TIF (Tax Increment Financing) is a tool that uses future tax revenue to fund current community improvements—everything from new housing to business support. With a 30-year lifespan ahead, the early priorities set in these action plans will shape long-term outcomes for jobs, housing, and equity in the Central City.

This is a unique chance for residents, business owners, artists, workers, and advocates to help steer investments where they’re needed most.

How to Get Involved

If you have a connection to one of the districts and experience or insight related to housing, economic development, arts, culture, or community well-being—your voice is welcome.

– Meetings: 8 meetings total, between April and November 2025
– Deadline to Apply: Friday, March 21, 2025
– More info: https://prosperportland.us/portfolio-items/central-city-tif-exploration/
– Questions? Email: cctif@ProsperPortland.us—

Help spread the word—or apply yourself! These Working Groups are a chance to make sure public investments in Portland’s core reflect community values and real needs.

Contact: cctif@ProsperPortland.us
Application Deadline: Friday, March 21, 2025

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