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The Oregon Sustainability Center received a boost on Tuesday with a $1.5 million grant from the Federal Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration. The grant, awarded to the Oregon University System, Portland State University and the city of Portland will fund infrastructure for the project, according to university system spokeswoman Di Saunders.

鈥淭he grant is a nice endorsement from the federal government about what we’re trying to do in Oregon with sustainability,鈥� Saunders said.

The Oregon Sustainability Center project is currently in flux, as the prospective 130,000-square-foot, triple-net-zero building’s funding was held up by the state legislature earlier this year. The building is expected to cost $59.3 million, with about $45.1 million of that coming from the Oregon University System and city of Portland bonds. The sustainability center team will meet with the Ways and Means Education Subcommittee on Thursday to respond to the concerns raised in the legislative session.

鈥淚 believe we have met all the concerns of the legislature,鈥� Saunders set. 鈥淲e will look forward to speaking with them.鈥�

The project also faces a vote in front of Portland City Council today regarding the city’s portion of the project.