Congresswoman Bonamici Secures $850,000 Federal Investment to Advance Infrastructure Improvements in the OMSI District
Photo credit: Left to right: Jonathan Malsin, CEIC Board Chair; Carolyne Holcomb, CEIC Executive Director; Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici; Damien Fracaviglia, CEIC Board Member; Emily Stutzman, CEIC Board Member; and Erin Graham, President and CEO of OMSI.
The OMSI District has been awarded $850,000 in federal Community Project Funding to begin critical infrastructure improvements in Southeast Portland marking a significant milestone in the continued evolution of the Central Eastside.
Secured by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, the funding will support upgrades to key intersections and corridors, including Southeast Water Avenue at Southeast Yamhill Street and Southeast Woodward Street at Southeast 8th Avenue. Improvements will include new traffic signals and sidewalks designed to enhance mobility, improve connectivity, and prepare the district for future growth.
The investment represents the first phase of infrastructure work supporting the broader vision for the OMSI District, an ambitious, mixed-use neighborhood that will bring together parks, a Tribal Nations center, affordable housing, and a 3,500-seat Live Nation music venue alongside OMSI’s continued presence as a cornerstone cultural institution.
“This is a meaningful vote of confidence in the future of the Central Eastside,” said Jonathan Malsin, President of the Central Eastside Industrial Council. “Strategic infrastructure investments like this strengthen business confidence, support job growth, and help ensure this district remains one of Portland’s most productive and dynamic economic engines.”
The Central Eastside has long been a place where industry and creativity operate side by side. Home to manufacturers, makers, retailers, cultural institutions, and entrepreneurs, the evolution of the OMSI District represents the next chapter in that story, building on the area’s industrial character while welcoming new opportunities for community connection and economic vitality.
OMSI rendering. (ZGF Architects)
Congresswoman Bonamici championed the project through the Congressional Community Project Funding process, recognizing the essential role infrastructure plays in supporting thriving neighborhoods and local economies.
“This feels like a major milestone to get this kind of investment,” said Erin Graham, President and CEO of OMSI. “We’re grateful for the partnerships that made this possible and excited about the impact this will have on the community.”
Momentum in the Central Eastside extends well beyond a single project. Coordinated public investments are underway throughout the district—from mobility upgrades led by PBOT to regional trail and waterfront connections supported by Metro, as well as public safety improvements and under-viaduct enhancements. Together, these efforts are improving access, strengthening infrastructure, and creating the conditions for small business success and long-term private investment.
The CEIC thanks Congresswoman Bonamici for her leadership and to our partners at OMSI, the City of Portland, Metro, and PBOT for their continued collaboration.