Portland-based, minority-led firm leads construction on the largest certified DBE contract in Oregon history. As the prime contractor for TriMet's
As the prime contractor for TriMet’s Division Transit Project, Raimore Construction is the team on tap to improve safety along one of the most dangerous corridors in Portland.
The construction company is now working on improving TriMet’s Frequent Express service line.
Portland-based Raimore Construction is a minority-owned firm that benefited in part from city minority-contracting support, like these two projects, to facilitate its success.
After winning the Division Transit Project bid in July 2019, Raimore holds the largest contract awarded to a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise in Oregon, according to TriMet.
Led by Raimore Construction, this project has surpassed all TriMet endeavors for the highest percentage of DBE participants — including the subcontractors Raimore is working with.
“We had a lot of barriers and didn’t have a lot of access like most small companies, especially minority companies, so getting consistency with work, it was very critical — and that’s where TriMet came in,” said Jeff Raimore Sr., the president, and CEO of Raimore Construction.
Jeff Moreland Jr., a construction manager with Raimore, added, “It’s really surreal, I would say, to be in this position now because I remember when Raimore was just one truck,” Moreland said.
Headquartered along N.W. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in North Portland, Raimore is DBE/MBE certified, which means it is certified as a disadvantaged business enterprise and minority-owned business.
“Working with the city helps us continue what our true values are — and that is embracing diversity, bringing in people from the community,” said Ashley Henry, a project manager for Raimore. “If you see our workforce, we’re over 50% minority and women, our management staff is 70% minority. We truly make it a point.”
According to the company, Raimore itself is committed to granting 100% of its required project subcontractors to Business Inclusions and Diversity-certified firms (COBID), a certification intended to increase equity in the construction sector by providing fair opportunity to compete for public sector contractors regardless of firm size, ability, gender or heritage.
On the project, Raimore’s DBE subcontractors include Advanced Tribal, Affordable Electric, Just Bucket, C.O.A.T. Flagging, Neyda’s Landscape Maintenance, Precision Landscape Services, Inc., and Mainstream Landscaping, LLC.
“An organization like Raimore — getting that Division Transit Project through TriMet and extending that opportunity to my company to showcase who we are — they recognize the talent and our abilities to bring our people up, bring our families up and bring our community up,” said Leon Araiza, president, and owner of Advanced Tribal, which installed shelters for the project. Because of the Division Transit Project, they were able to hire eight more workers from their indigenous community and set up a satellite office, according to TriMet.
TriMet’s DBE program is intended to support businesses owned by women and people of color, and create opportunities for DBEs as prime contractors and subcontractors on its capital transit projects — especially those that receive federal funds.
On the Division Transit Project, total DBE participation is 84%, including 50% of self-performed work by Raimore as well as another 34% completed by DBE subcontractors, according to TriMet.
“The use of Raimore Construction, a minority firm, to build the infrastructure for this line continues TriMet’s work towards economic equity,” said Gresham Mayor Travis Stovall.
Raimore was one of the first companies to complete Portland’s prime contractor development program, according to the city. Biko Taylor is the chief procurement officer with Portland’s Office of Management and Finance.
“We’re talking about a very sophisticated firm that’s able to complete very complex tasks across the entire spectrum of construction,” Taylor said. “One of the very best. From a capability perspective, they’re one of the finest firms we have in this region.”
The city of Portland and Raimore Construction have nurtured a 20-year-long relationship at this point, including the Interstate MAX Yellow Line — when TriMet spearheaded a national model for its DBE program — the $7.5 million Outer Division Safety Project that was completed in early 2022, and of course, the new TriMet FX.
In the past, Raimore Construction worked on masonry at the MAX Green Line, and installed shelters for the MAX Orange Line. The company has increased its construction services offerings through its work with TriMet.
“Raimore Construction has been a great partner — talented, determined, and dedicated to the community and helping others find a path to success,” said Sam Desue Jr., TriMet general manager. “I’m proud TriMet partnered with them 20 years ago and that decades later, we were able to award Raimore the largest DBE contract in Oregon history.”
The new Frequent Express program includes longer buses, larger and fewer platforms where the demand is greatest, priority crossing signals, and more. The project is intended to shorten commute times and better protect riders from the weather at stations.
Additional project benefits include the Division Street safety improvements, such as additional crossing signals and economic development opportunities.
“Here at Raimore, everyone treats everyone as family,” Henry said. “We try to identify the issues beforehand and work together to come up with a collective solution. That’s a big part of our success.”
Grand Opening Celebration set Sept. 17
TriMet will open its first FX — Frequent Express — bus line between Portland and Gresham on Sunday, Sept. 18.
TriMet FX will be a new type of improved bus service that will be faster and more reliable than standard bus service. To celebrate the launch of its first FX line — FX2-Division — and this historic new service, TriMet will host a grand opening the day before, on Sept. 17. It’ll be a family-friendly event open to the public to celebrate community and culture. During the celebration, free rides will be provided on its new, longer, green FX buses.
Festivals will be held at three locations along the route, with the earliest one starting at 11 a.m. and the latest open until 5 p.m. The festivals will feature food, arts, live music, multicultural presentations, special promotions and more. Admission to the festival sites is free.
More information is available here.
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