Should Portland appropriate grant for Pilot Mass Timber Feasibility Study for $100,000?

The purpose of this Grant is to provide grant funding to eligible Organizations (as defined in ORS 458.610). Grantee to provide a pilot Mass Timber Feasibility Study and presentation for potential development projects in the City of Portland.

The reviewed sources do not clearly identify every existing policy, service, contract, or obligation that would remain unchanged.

This proposal concerns other city business and requires action through Portland’s public legislative process.

Mass timber is emerging as a key material in construction and offers a potentially compelling alternative to traditional building materials. Benefits include lower embodied carbon emissions compared to traditional construction materials like concrete and steel, construction schedule efficiencies, lighter structural loads, seismic resiliency, reduced material waste, potentially sequestered carbon dioxide when harvested sustainably, and enhanced occupant experience through biophilic design. Mass timber supports forest restoration efforts and contribute to improved forest health and wildfire mitigation. The mass timber industry creates jobs in forestry, construction, and advanced manufacturing. If a development is able to move forward with development and incorporate mass timber, community benefits could be realized outside of the scope of the grant program. The feasibility study reports will be made available to help interested parties better understand the feasibility of utilizing mass timber in new construction projects within the City of Portland.