Always wanted an ecoroof? Now is your chance!

By Lisa Libby

Portland Building EcoroofThe rain has returned and with it comes billions of gallons of stormwater washing over our roofs and picking up pollutants along the way...

...unless, of course, you have an ecoroof.

An ecoroof is a vegated roof system that soaks up rain and allows it to evaporate back into the natural system, reducing the need for expensive piped infrastructure.

Portland currently has about nine acres of ecoroofs scattered among more than 90 buildings across the city. But Sam's Grey to Green initiative will work to increase that number - by a lot!

The Grey to Green goal is to add 43 acres of new ecoroofs in five years. The Bureau of Environmental Services will offer grants as incentives to install new ecoroofs on rndustrial, residential, commercial and mixed-use projects are eligible for the incentive program. . The grants will pay up to $5 per square foot for new ecoroof projects. Ecoroofs in Portland typically cost between $5 and $20 per square foot.

The city will spend about $300,000 on grants in this fiscal year, and will make grant funds available over the next five years.

The city will begin accepting grant applications on October 28. An Environmental Services committee will review applications quarterly and award grants.

The grant application packet will be available on October 28 at www.portlandonline.com/bes/ecoroof or by calling 503-823-7914.