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I wanted to share some positive news this holiday season. North Portland is seeing some critical financial investments in our community. Please continue to read more about those investments below.
Big Announcement!
I am excited to announce that I was elected to be one of the vice-chairs for policy and communications for Oregon Legislature’s Black, Indigenous, People of Color Caucus.
I want to thank Co-Chair Ruiz for his kind message in this article about my addition to the leadership of the caucus. I look forward to working with Co-Chairs Ruiz and Campos and Vice-Chairs Sosa and Valderrama on our policy agenda for the upcoming Short Session.
Interstate Bridge Replacement Grant
Last week, the federal Department of Transportation announced that the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project would receive $600 million in funding from the Mega Grant program. You can read more here.
I am continuing to listen to constituents and other stakeholders as the planning for the bridge replacement continues. A new bridge project must be one that has substantial community benefits agreements and a robust project labor agreement.
North Portland Aquatic Center Funding
Commissioner Dan Ryan allocated $59.8 million in funding for the North Portland Aquatic Center. You can learn more about the funding here. I am glad to see the investment from the City for this important resource for our community. In my first session, I advocated for funding for a new pool to replace the Columbia Pool. The state allocated $15 million which is covered in this article by the Willamette Week.
I will continue to track the planning and construction of this new aquatic center.
 Photo from Portland Parks and Recreation. Click link for the City's project page.
FBI $25,000 Reward for Murders in North Portland
Three young men, Eskender Tamra, Babu Daudi, and Patrick Johnson were murdered in my district on March 25th. There’s been no arrest at this time.
I have met with a family member who has been advocating for an increase for the reward amount. I was happy to see that the FBI has stepped in with a $25,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the ones responsible for the murders.
If you have any information about this horrific crime, contact the Portland FBI Field Office (503-224-4181). You can read more here.
Albina Vision Trust Walking Tour
I joined former Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury and former Senator Akasha Lawrence-Spence on a walking tour with Winta Yohannes and JT Flowers from Albina Vision Trust to see their plans for lower Albina. They shared their plans for bringing affordable housing and wealth building opportunities to a community that had those opportunities taken from them to build the freeway.
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 Construction has begun on their AlbinaOne building that will provide 94 units of family housing. This is just one of the investments they will be making to bring families back to this community.
 They shared their plan to use the 10 acres that is currently occupied by the PPS administrative building for hundreds of affordable housing units. You can read more about their history with acquiring the building here. I look forward to working with them on securing funding from the state to make this project possible.
My next newsletter will be sent out after the January Legislative Days. Wishing you all a happy holiday!
Best,
 Travis Nelson
State Representative
House District 44
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1444
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-275, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.TravisNelson@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/nelson
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