Urban Renewal Project Needs Developer

An Oregon equipment dealer is trying to cut diesel emissions through an EPA grant funded with stimulus dollars.

Medford - Medford Urban renewal officials are continuing their search to find a developer for a three-story mixed use project in the downtown area.

The project was first announced in 2005, but construction stopped when the urban renewal agency discovered it had to pay prevailing wages, because of government funding. The bureau of Labor and Industries wage investigation stalled the project long enough for it to be affected by the housing downturn. Originally, the building would have cost $25 million and included housing, office and retail space.

To date, only the parking garage on the site has been completed. The city will build the sidewalks and street landscaping.

FAA Funds Aircraft Rescue Project

Eugene – About $5 million is due to be released for a new aircraft rescue and fire station at the Eugene airport.

While the site selection had been made and the architecture and engineering team had been hired, moving forward on the project would have required a significant investment of Airport funds with no assurance of when federal funding would become available. Airport officials placed the project on hold until receiving notice from the FAA that the funding would be released and have now fast-tracked the project planning.

The project is a joint effort between staff from the Eugene Airport; the Eugene Fire & EMS Department; the City of Eugene Facilities and Information Services Division; RS&H, a facilities and infrastructure consulting firm; and PIVOT Architecture, a Eugene design firm. RS&H has extensive experience in planning airport fire stations. PIVOT designed several of the new EFD stations.

The new ARFF station will replace the outdated and undersized Fire Station 12 building.

Oregon DOT Issues RFP for Electric Cars

Portland - The Oregon Department of Transportation issued a first-in-the-nation solicitation for charging equipment to service electric vehicles (EVs). ODOT is using its unique public/private partnership authority to establish consistent standards and uniformity in building an EV charging infrastructure for Oregon.

EV charging stations are locations where vehicles can be plugged into an electric source to re-charge batteries.

ODOT’s Office of Innovative Partnerships (OIPP) is taking a leadership role by establishing standards for the appearance, performance and safety features of EV charging stations. The objective is to have centralized purchase agreements for EV charging equipment in place by the end of 2009 that will be available for use by other agencies, local governments, utility companies and others.

Kuongoski Pushes Bridge To Boost Economy

Portland – Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski released the most updated job estimates associated with the construction of the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) and called for the focus to return to why this project is critical to the economic vitality of the Pacific Northwest. The project would create more than 25,000 jobs for the region – with the potential for more. Job creation will start with engineering and continue through construction, which is anticipated to begin in 2012 if planning stages progress on time.

Milgard Enters State Safety Program

Salem –Milgard Windows and Doors as the latest employer in the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).

SHARP provides an incentive for Oregon employers to work with their employees to find and correct hazards, develop and implement effective safety and health programs, and continuously improve.

The ultimate goal of SHARP is to encourage employers to become self-sufficient in managing workplace safety and health issues. Currently, 68 employer locations in Oregon participate in SHARP, in addition to 84 facilities that have graduated from the program.

The company employs 135 people at its Tualatin facility, where Milgard sells, manufactures, delivers, and provides customer service for its window and door products.

Participation in SHARP doesn’t eliminate regulatory enforcement, although SHARP participants do receive a limited exemption from programmed inspections. Employees retain all workplace safety and health rights contained in the Oregon Safe Employment Act. Oregon employers that have been in business for more than one year are eligible to apply for SHARP regardless of size or type of business.

Machinery Dealer Applies For Stimulus Funds

Portland - Halton Co., the exclusive Caterpillar dealer for Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington, has joined with the American Lung Association in Oregon (ALAO) to apply for $900,000 of $156 million in grant money available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act).

The funds, earmarked for clean diesel solutions, would be allocated among eight participating contractors to replace older, less efficient diesel engines with new, cleaner burning engines to improve air quality as well as preserve and create local jobs.

The grant, administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program, will be sponsored by the ALAO and would cover up to 75 percent of costs associated with the certified engine repowers. Contractors will leverage an additional $75,000 of funding from the state of Oregon and contribute approximately $225,000 from their own coffers to complete their diesel emissions reduction solutions.

In addition to the potential boost for employment, engine repowers should make a significant dent in the environmental impact of targeted machines.

Currently, all machines considered for repowers are unregulated and have no emissions ratings. Of the 15 machines in the proposal, 11 will be retooled to Tier 3 level – the current top rating – and the remaining machines will be retooled to Tier 1 level. On average, contractors can expect significant reductions in emissions: nitrogen oxide by 70 percent, particulate matter by 75 percent, hydrocarbons by 80 percent and carbon monoxide by 80 percent.