The City of Portland and its economic development agency, Prosper Portland, reached an agreement with a group of 26 Black residents and descendants from the Central Albina neighborhood who were displaced by urban renewal projects dating back to the 1960s.
The agreement, which is still pending approval by the Portland City Council, acknowledges that “Portland’s systemic discrimination and displacement harmed Black communities, by excluding them from homeownership and wealth-building opportunities; by denying them access to educational resources, jobs and healthy neighborhoods; and by perpetuating segregation, displacement, and harmful stereotypes through the zoning code, deeds and covenants, lending practices, public housing and urban renewal.”
In 2022, the plaintiffs filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the city, Prosper Portland (formerly known as the Portland Development Commission), and Legacy Emanuel Hospital for damages arising from urban renewal projects that displaced Black households from Central Albina through the 1970s.
“This settlement marks another step in Portland’s commitment to make sure future development bears no resemblance to decisions made 50-plus years ago,” Mayor Keith Wilson said. “As we reflect on past harms, it’s equally important to reaffirm our commitment to development that makes our city stronger, more inclusive and more welcoming.”
The terms of the settlement include:
- A $1million payment from the City of Portland and $1 million from Prosper Portland for a total payment to plaintiffs of $2 million.
- If Keller Auditorium is renovated, the city will provide curated space for plaintiffs to mount a static display. The Keller Auditorium, formerly Portland Civic Auditorium, is named for Richard B. Keller. The neighboring Ira Keller Fountain is named for the former chair of the Portland Development Commission, who led urban renewal projects from the 1950s through the 1970s.
- The City will include at least two displaced families’ descendants on any design committee for Keller Auditorium.
- The City will provide displaced families’ descendants with a 10-year hiring preference for City-directed hiring at Keller Auditorium.
- For at least five years, the city will declare/proclaim an annual Descendants’ Day and will promote associated community events.
- For at least 10 years, the City and Prosper Portland will provide letters of support for any grant-funded documentary about Central Albina.
- Plaintiffs have the opportunity to perform due diligence and potentially acquire up to two undeveloped lots in the area from Prosper Portland at no cost.
- Prosper Portland will provide use of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Heritage Marker site for up to three days, four times per year to the plaintiffs for community events at no cost.
This agreement places Portland among the first cities in the United States to resolve a legal claim that holds public agencies accountable for the discriminatory impact of past development practices. Last year, the City of Palm Springs, Calif., settled claims by Black and Latino families who were displaced during the 1960s.
Legacy Emanuel Hospital settled its portion of the suit in late 2024, with the court dismissing them as a party to the case in January 2025.
In 2018, a community group developed a plan to acquire the long-vacant parcel that was once the Hill Block, the commercial center of Portland's Black community, to build affordable rentals and townhomes. Adre and Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives broke ground on the Williams & Russell project in February. All homes will be subject to the Portland Housing Bureau’s N/NE Preference Policy, which aims to address the harmful effects of urban renewal by prioritizing those with generational ties to the area.
Learn more about the history of the Albina neighborhood.