Portland SD 1J staff outline timelines for Grant Bowl lights, Jackson phases and Powell Park lease delay

Portland School District 1J staff gave the Facilities Improvement & Oversight Committee an update on athletic facility projects on May 27, reporting progress at several campuses and flagging scheduling dependencies tied to partner agreements.

Joanna Evson, senior director in the RISE program, said Grant Bowl lighting work is "substantially complete" and the vendor is creating training for district staff; commissioning work is in progress and staff expect availability for use soon. "We're in commissioning...the vendor is creating our training so that we know how to use the controls," Evson said.

Evson outlined Jackson campus phasing: phase zero (track and field reconstruction) is scheduled to begin construction this summer; phase 1A multi‑use field is in final design with permitting to follow and construction anticipated in fall. Phase 1B will include an indoor batting facility with permitting coordinated with earlier phases and construction targeted late 2026.

Powell Park improvements — new turf, seating and lighting for Cleveland High School use — are contingent on a long‑term use agreement with Portland Parks and Recreation. Staff said without a finalized lease the district cannot begin land‑use permitting and that the previously‑targeted 2028 opening is likely to move to 2029 if an agreement is delayed. Sarah Norman said rapid progress with Parks & Recreation could still help, but cautioned that the land‑use review typically takes 12–14 months, which compresses construction time.

The committee also discussed controlled access and competition requirements for hosting events at Grant Bowl; board members asked whether fencing or gating to collect admission would be required to meet contest standards and to enable home games. Staff said fencing and access controls are being considered as part of land‑use and community engagement plans.

What happens next: staff will continue permitting and community engagement steps for seating and ADA access at Grant Bowl, move Jackson phase zero into construction this summer, and pursue a lease with Portland Parks and Recreation for Powell Park; no votes occurred at the meeting.