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The Oregon University System on Thursday gave the go-ahead for more funding to move the Oregon Sustainability Center project into the schematic design phase, according to Di Saunders, director of communications for the center.

The Oregon Sustainability Center, planned to be constructed near Portland State University in downtown Portland, is being designed as a Living Building. It would be able to generate its own electricity, collect and use its own rainwater and treat all of its wastewater.

The Oregon University System’s Finance and Administration Committee has approved an agreement with the Portland Development Commission required for Gerding Edlen to perform schematic design, Saunders said. The Oregon University System will pay up to $1 million and the PDC will pay $450,000 toward schematic design costs.

Schematic design is the first phase in which architects prepare initial drawings for a project owner.

The Oregon University System also has set aside an additional $2.5 million of Chancellor’s Office money for the project, should construction take place.

“This approval is for the operating money that will allow us to take our feasibility study to the next step with architectural renderings,” Saunders said.

Studies performed recently by Gerding Edlen Development and Balzhiser & Hubbard Engineers determined that the building could be constructed to living building standards. The center is expected to be 150,000 square feet and cost $69.4 million. The Oregon University System already has pledged $80 million in bonds to pay for project construction, Saunders said.