News

The 1,800-ton steel skeleton is disappearing beneath bricks and concrete as the $44.5 million Northwest Center for Engineering, Science and Technology takes shape on the southeastern edge of Portland State's campus.

When it opens in January 2006, the five-story, 130,000-square-foot tower and the adjacent Fourth Avenue Building will become the new home for PSU's Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science. The Northwest Center will house 49 new labs, classrooms, offices, and an auditorium, enabling the University to better attract top students and faculty. Future development plans include the creation of a regional center for collaborative programs involving PSU, Oregon Health & Science University, and other institutions.

A combination of state of Oregon general obligation matching bonds, city of Portland and federal dollars, and private donations and grants through the University's Building Our Future campaign has funded the Northwest Center. In keeping with PSU's commitment to sustainability, builders are striving for Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for the facility. The project has employed between 100-150 workers at a time, with a goal of 20-percent minority, women-owned, and small business participation in its construction. Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership is the project's designer, Lease Crutcher Lewis is the general contractor, and Gerding/Edlen Development Company is the project manager.