City of Tualatin Launches Partnership with University of Oregon’s Sustainable City Year Program.

City of Tualatin Launches Partnership with University of Oregon’s Sustainable City Year Program.

WHAT: Sustainable City Year Program (SCYP) Tualatin Kickoff Celebration

DATE: Thursday, October 16, 2025

TIME: 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.

WHO: Elected Officials, City of Tualatin staff and community members, University of Oregon faculty and students

PLACE: Tualatin Public Library, 18878 SW Martinazzi Ave, Tualatin, Oregon 97062

BACKGROUND

The City of Tualatin has been selected by the University of Oregon’s Sustainable City Year Program (SCYP) partnership for the 2025-26 academic year. Based out of the University of Oregon, SCYP helps communities solve the problems of today and lays the groundwork for a sustainable, livable future—all while helping students prepare for the workforce through applied learning. For more, see: https://sci.uoregon.edu/scyp.

SCYP and community partnerships are possible, in part, with support from U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, as well as former Congressman Peter DeFazio, who secured federal funding for SCYP through Congressionally Directed Spending and the U.S. Department of Education. With additional matching funds from the cities, the partnerships will allow UO students and faculty to study and make recommendations on city-identified projects and issues while leveraging and strengthening city capacity to support downtown revitalization.  

“As a proud graduate of the University of Oregon School of Law, I’m always pleased when my alma mater expands its connections beyond Eugene to help communities around the state,” Senator Ron Wyden said. “Today’s news marks a fantastic opportunity for Tualatin to advance downtown revitalization efforts. And I’m glad the teamwork with our delegation has produced this big win tapping the creativity at U of O and in Tualatin to develop fresh solutions that achieve a more sustainable future.”

“UO’s Sustainable City Year Program is a proven model of success, using the drive and expertise of students and faculty to discover solutions that move Oregon communities forward,” Senator Jeff Merkley said. “The entire Tualatin community will benefit from becoming an idea-sharing hub, which will provide students with tangible, real-world learning opportunities while also making this community more sustainable and resilient.”

During the 2025-26 partnership year, SCYP will match resources from existing university courses to high priority projects identified by the Tualatin community, with a particular focus on supporting downtown revitalization efforts. Downtown-focused student projects will include a market study, site analysis and land use planning, an examination of connectivity among different travel modes, floodplain research, stormwater management, and architecture design studios, with additional class matches possible throughout the academic year.

Tualatin Mayor Frank Bubenik shared, “We’re excited to partner with the Sustainable City Year Program because it provides the community an amazing opportunity to explore different aspects of the downtown district including design, economic development, sustainability, and community identity while providing students with real life experience by harnessing their enthusiasm and creativity for problem solving.”

The partnership will officially launch with a celebration event with leaders from Tualatin and the University of Oregon, faculty, students, local elected officials, and community members. At the event, Tualatin staff and UO faculty will unveil the year’s upcoming projects and share specific details of the partnership.

ABOUT THE SUSTAINABLE CITY YEAR PROGRAM

Established in 2009, SCYP is now in its 16th year of partnerships with Oregon communities. SCYP partnerships connect University of Oregon students with local communities to implement real change drawing directly from community-identified issues. Through hands-on learning, SCYP harnesses the innovation of students and faculty to offer communities unique perspectives and ideas. Communities emerge from SCYP partnerships with increased community outreach, expanded conversations, and cutting-edge solutions, while students emerge better prepared to enter the workforce.

ABOUT THE CITY OF TUALATIN

The City of Tualatin is a vibrant community of nearly 28,000 residents located just 12 miles south of Portland. Blending small-town charm with urban access, Tualatin is a regional hub known for its high quality of life, strong economy, and engaged community. Its strategic location at the crossroads of Interstates 5 and 205, plus commuter rail access, supports thriving industries in manufacturing, technology, healthcare, and logistics. Residents enjoy award-winning schools, over 200 acres of parks, and cultural highlights like the Giant Pumpkin Regatta and Bridgeport Village. The City of Tualatin takes pride in being known as a warm and welcoming community for new businesses, retail shoppers, and residents alike.

FUNDING ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

Community partnerships are possible in part due to support from U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, as well as former Congressman Peter DeFazio, who secured federal funding for SCYP through Congressionally Directed Spending.

CONTACTS:

Megan Banks, Director, Sustainable City Year Program, University of Oregon, 541-346-6395, mbanks@uoregon.edu

Sid Sin, Urban Renewal and Economic Development Manager, City of Tualatin, 503-691-3039, ssin@tualatin.gov