Portland leaders approved a $485 million spending plan Wednesday that includes cash for long-sought safety projects on 122nd Avenue, free access to recreation centers for teens, a down payment on repairs to the city's largest administrative office building and other investments.

The Portland City Council unanimously approved the 2015-16 fiscal year budget, a $2.8 billion plan, which includes the $485 million general fund, the city's largest discretionary pool of money.

All five elected officials on the council celebrated the budget as a success, noting the $49 million budget surplus was a marked difference from a $21 million deficit Mayor Charlie Hales inherited in 2012.

"I think we've shown that we are good managers of the public's money," Hales said, adding that this rendition of the City Council has been consistent in its fiscal approach through the massive budget swings of the past few years.

But following a 2014 calendar year that centered largely on Hales and Commissioner Steve Novick's pursuit for more transportation money, roads and safety projects were the big victors Wednesday.

Related: Hales' budget plan is a back-to-basics approach

Novick said the budget includes the largest general fund investment in transportation spending in 30 years, some $29 million. "I feel very, very lucky to be transportation commissioner on a council that has this level of commitment," he said.

Of note, the budget includes $8 million for safety and paving improvements on 122nd Avenue in east Portland, work that Novick said should bring more frequent bus service from TriMet.

The council approved a request to fully fund the Safe Route to School program, adding $240,000 to help identify ways to make walking and biking around schools easier and safer.

Hales also celebrated a $2 million measure to open four key community centers to at-risk teens during the summer.

Wednesday's vote did include some last-minute tinkering to Hales' proposed budget.

Additions include $500,000 for the Portland Development Commission's "Inclusive Startup Fund," a new program that aims to mentor and financially support diverse local entrepreneurs trying to start their business. PDC also landed $891,000 for the community development fund, another pool of money to provide additional loans near Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative Districts, the mini-urban renewal zones spread throughout some parts of town.

Patrick Quinton, PDC's executive director, said the urban renewal agency asked for more money for both programs, but he said the resources are "a good start" and shows potential investors the city is backing diversity initiatives like the startup fund.

To pay for the PDC developments, Hales shifted some parks projects to the PDC ledger, allowing urban renewal dollars to pay the bills.

Those projects include $603,000 to replace the roof at the Charles Jordan Community Center, $638,000 to repair a pond at the Lan Su Chinese Garden and $150,000 for work on a Beach Access Master Plan.

Hales' budget also includes an additional $150,000 for beach access to help create a public beach on the east side of the Willamette River south of the Hawthorne Bridge.

The budget includes $1.9 million for the World Indoor Track and Field Championships in 2016. Commissioner Amanda Fritz said the city would ask Travel Portland and other agencies to help support the estimated $12 million event. If they chip in, she said the $1.9 million would go into the city's contingency fund.

City leaders will vote to formally adopt the budget on June 18.



-- Andrew Theen

atheen@oregonian.com

503-294-4026

@cityhallwatch