OMSI aims to create one-of-a-kind neighborhood

Posted Jan. 9, 2023

By Nardin Ishak

Opinions Editor

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, OMSI, founded in 1944 by John C. Stevens, now aims to create the future OMSI District, a one-of-a-kind neighborhood that is an inclusive community destination.

The science and technology museum located at 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214, has three auditoriums, including a large-screen theater, planetarium, and exhibition halls with a variety of hands-on permanent exhibits focused on natural sciences, industry, and technology. Their hours are Monday through Sunday 9:30 am -5:30 p.m. and the ticket price ranges from $11-$16 depending on age. They also offer separate specialty shows and tours, with separate admission tickets, like the submarine tour and planetarium show.  OMSI is committed to make their fun science experience accessible by all so they participate in the Arts for All program and offer up to four $5 General Admission tickets which can be purchased by showing an Oregon Trail Card and ID at the front desk.

“At OMSI, we believe that knowledge belongs to us all and curiosity brings us together. We strive to deliver meaningful outcomes towards equity in education and foster a more equitable future,” stated their website.

With the commitment of inclusion and accessible fun at the heart of OMSI’s mission, their future OMSI District vision master plan is “to create a one-of-a-kind neighborhood that is an inclusive community destination with innovation, culture, arts, and science learning at its heart. The OMSI District vision comes from a collaboration of local, Tribal and regional government entities, nonprofits, and businesses,” stated their website.

The OMSI District neighborhood, which will be located on the southeast bank of the Willamette River, has been an ongoing project since 2014 when Congressman Blumenauer convened leaders from OMSI, the City, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland State University, and Portland Community College to determine ways to co-invest in the district. The last update was in December 15, 2022 where the Master Plan underwent its second public Land Use Hearing with the Design Commission, a continuation of ongoing discussions and plan revisions that will continue in 2023.

The core partners for this project include Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, City of Portland, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, Metro Regional Government, Portland Community College, Portland General Electric, Portland Opera, and State of Oregon. According to the OMSI website, the district site will consist of 24 acres of new, mixed-use transit-oriented development, up to 3 million square feet (sf) of new space to work, live, and play, 1,200 units of new housing with a minimum of 20% affordable units, New Waterfront Education Park, Public plaza and event spaces, Center for Tribal Nations, maker spaces, indoor and outdoor labs, festivals, and events with partners create an innovative public learning ecosystem, and Net zero carbon emissions and waste.

For the funding, OMSI’s commitment is $33 million, their private sector commitment is $44 million, the city of Portland investment ask is $38 million, and the city current tentative investment is $7 million. In relation to those numbers, At full buildout, the OMSI District is projected to have a huge economic impact and generate: $11M annually in property taxes in Portland, $22M annually in personal income tax revenue, 4,300 direct jobs, $1.2B in total economic output.

“The new OMSI District will be an economic growth driver for Portland and Oregon, while also enabling OMSI to generate self-sustaining revenue to continue and expand STEM education programming for Oregon children and families,” stated their website.