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When it comes to Portland’s housing bond program, Mayor Ted Wheeler has it right. Planning up front to make sure the money is spent right and the city is getting the best deals possible is time well spent. Once a good plan is in place, the work of designing and constructing these projects can move forward quickly. But unless work is well planned out, it has the possibility of ending up with boondoggles that would hamstring the rest of the program.

The mayor’s background as state treasurer has given him the insight and experience to see what happens throughout the state and the potential pitfalls that need to be avoided. Inexperienced administrators and politicians would be salivating over the money and pushing projects out without a comprehensive program or plan in place.

A successful capital program requires an extensive planning effort. The city has committed almost $258 million in bond money approved by the voters. The voters, taxpayers, are entitled to value for their dollar. While Portlanders don’t seem to see a bond measure they don’t like, at some point this largesse will be exhausted and the question of how the money was spent will be asked. This planning process will result in good projects being built in the right places.

Experienced program and project managers know that it is essential to identify realistic budgets, schedules and objectives in order to achieve success. Good program planners also know that plans need to change as programs evolve. Program objectives mature and change to meet the needs of the day. Effective up-front planning allows these programs to pivot and address new concerns that will undoubtedly arise during the years that it will take deliver the voters’ objectives. Counseling patience to those in need, however, will be a challenge.

This effort serves as an example to other capital programs that are under way in Oregon. The state’s investment in infrastructure may finally begin to address its pressing needs. Programs such as filtration of the Portland water supply and upgrades to the state’s significant transportation corridors are evidence that Oregonians understand that its disinvestment in infrastructure over the last 15 years must be addressed.

Sometimes it takes a new generation to understand that while what was constructed in the past has helped, further investment is needed to meet the challenges of the future. Oregon’s previous generations constructed and provided infrastructure suitable for Oregon’s economy of 40 years ago. That no longer works today. In the past 40 years Oregon has transitioned. While its economy still has a substantial base in manufacturing and fundamental industries, high-tech advances that the future holds will take an increasingly larger seat at the table.

Christian Steinbrecher is president of Ukiah Engineering. He is the author of ASCE Oregon’s report card on Oregon’s infrastructure and a past recipient of ASCE Oregon’s Engineer of the Year award. Contact him at 503-297-4827 or [email protected].