(Portland, Ore.) – The Oregon Legislature has approved $5 million to help build new roads and utilities, paving the way for the OMSI District, a transformative hub for science, culture, arts and innovation on Portland’s Central Eastside.
This crucial infrastructure investment – included in the state budget for 2025-27 – will be combined with funding from other public and private partners to realign Water Avenue and provide utilities for future housing and development in the district. After final approval from Governor Tina Kotek, the project is expected to be close to fully funded and is anticipated to break ground soon.
“We are incredibly grateful for the state’s support in making our vision for the OMSI District a reality,” said Erin Graham, president and CEO of OMSI. “The state is a key partner in this collaborative effort to create a vibrant, inclusive community that increases housing in Portland’s center city while also driving educational and economic opportunities for all Oregonians through OMSI and our partners.”
The OMSI District includes 24 acres of transit-oriented, mixed-use development, 1,200 new market rate and affordable housing units, and the restoration of Tribal presence on the Willamette River through the creation of a Center for Tribal Nations and a new waterfront education park. It is projected to generate more than 11,000 new jobs, $11 million in annual city property taxes, $22 million in annual in-state personal income tax and $1.2 billion in total economic output.
The state is joining local, Tribal, regional, nonprofit and business partners in support for the project, including a $15.4 million investment in infrastructure approved by the Portland City Council in September 2024.
“The OMSI District will be a catalyst of innovation and economic development in the heart of Portland and throughout Oregon, and we appreciate the state’s partnership in making it happen,” said Mayor Keith Wilson. “OMSI is already a can’t-miss destination for Oregon children and families, and I’m excited to see a thriving community grow around it. The possibilities are endless, and we’re just getting started.”
“When we work together, we can achieve great things, and the OMSI District is the perfect example of that,” said Rep. Rob Nosse, who represents OMSI and inner Southeast Portland. “The city and state are united behind OMSI’s vision for the future of Portland’s Central Eastside that will benefit us all for decades to come. I’d like to thank my colleagues in the Oregon Legislature for their support.”
For more information about the OMSI District and the progress of the project, please visit https://omsi.edu/future-omsi-district.
About OMSI
Founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation’s leading science museums and a trusted educational resource for communities throughout Oregon and the region. Through museum exhibitions, public programs, outdoor programs, traveling exhibitions, digital learning, and learning research and design, OMSI nourishes a lifelong love of science, curiosity and learning among its diverse audiences. The upcoming OMSI District – a collaboration of local, Tribal and regional government entities, nonprofits and businesses – will be a one-of-a-kind neighborhood with innovation, culture and science learning at its heart. OMSI is located at 1945 S.E. Water Avenue, Portland, OR, 97214. For general information, call 503.797.4000 or visit omsi.edu. Connect with the museum on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.