A local Eliot resident, known as Lady Max, attended our July general meeting to share her safety concerns during the open public comment period. 

Her first concern is the overall volume of fast moving vehicle traffic on NE 7th, even after the speed bumps were installed. She feels that rush-hour traffic has also increased, possibly diverting away from MLK by apps like Waze, or drivers just wanting to bypass stoplights. On 7th, this higher traffic is clashing at busy pedestrians crossings as they near Knott, and an increase in cycling numbers since the Earl Blumenauer pedestrian and bicycle bridge opened across I-84 on NE 7th Ave in 2022.

On NE 7th, there is an added crash risk is from blocked crossing visibility from cars parked too close to crossings. Especially when cars park in marked no-parking zones close to corners

Lady Max shared one spot specifically that she has observed and photographed over 50+ violations in only a few months period. The location has a sign, in which the homeowner keeps very well pruned around, but drivers continue to park there. After hearing a neighbor’s dog yelp because a truck got super close close when its owner tried to cross at Russell, Lady Max got really mad and decided to take action for the sake of ALL the neighbors. 

She asked various city staffers including PBOT’s Safe Streets program for ideas during community events. Considering PBOT budget limitations, she learned it might be necessary to do a little tactile urbanism. PBOT won a grant to paint 200 daylight corners but that doesn’t cover the need over all of Portland, it barely scratches the surface.

They suggested she attend her local neighborhood association meetings, and reach out to organizations like Strong Towns PDX. She created a petition to ask the city for traffic reduction with a diverter, and has several hundred signatures so far. She attended city counselor’s ‘Coffee in the park’ to bring attention to the matter. Lady Max rallied attendees to our August 11 Land Use meeting, which included Senior Council Aide Jacq Tjaden who works with councilor Sameer Kanal’s office and Mauricio Leclerc – a manager in the Area planning team at PBOT. Eliot’s Land Use and Transportation Committee (LUTC) met with some neighbors including Steve Cole from Irving neighborhood association. We talked for a bit and then went for a walk 7th. We left the meeting with no firm commitments from the City, but it was good to retell the story from our perspective and we think there may be room to continue the conversation there.  

After the meeting, Lady Max and the LUTC came up with a plan to clean and paint the No-Parking section of the curb that Max had documented more than 50 violators at. Over Labor Day weekend, a few of us gathered to get the first curb done. It looks great and we are already seeing the impact of less drivers parking there. 

We are always looking for community involvement and new ideas on how to make our neighborhood more livable and safe. This project was doable with tools we had readily available. If other neighbors want to do a similar project or have any other issues they want addressed feel free to reach out at info@eliotneighborhood.org or attend a future next meeting.

Our next LUTC meeting will be TODAY, September 8th at 6:30 PM – meeting indoors at 7th and Russell again.

If you are interested in helping out in any way, please contact info@eliotneighborhood
– sponsors / volunteers welcome

A lawsuit filed in 2022 alleging the racist destruction and forced removal of Black families from what is now the Eliot Neighborhood and was previously known as the historic Central Albina Neighborhood has been resolved by the parties. This is subject to approval by Portland’s City Council and the Prosper Portland Board.  

Plaintiffs ask City Council to approve this deal and, going forward, they urge the City to continue to find ways to compensate displaced families. “Now is the magical moment. City of Portland elected officials have the authority to go beyond the contents of this agreement and provide adequate redress and restitution for the families involved in this case and for other affected families,” said the Emanuel Displaced Persons Association 2 (EDPA2).  

“This settlement is a remarkable testament to EDPA2 and these 26 individuals’ commitment to honoring the dignity and hard work of their displaced elders, and to keeping alive a history that is as much a part of this city’s past as it is a part of its present. It is hard to fully right some wrongs, but their willingness to bring this fight has opened up new possibilities,” said Diane Nguyen, Legal Aid Services of Oregon, one of the attorneys for the plaintiffs.

Starting in the late 1950s and into the early 1970s, the City of Portland, Prosper Portland (then the Portland Development Commission), and Legacy Emanuel acted in concert to forcibly displace hundreds of families from their homes and businesses in Central Albina. Of the forcibly displaced households, 74% were Black, many of whom owned their homes free and clear. Between 1971 and 1973, the City and PDC demolished an estimated 188 properties – 158 of which were residential and 30 of which were commercial. Families, businesses, churches, and community organizations were all displaced.

The stated reason for the demolition was the expansion of Emanuel Hospital. That expansion never happened and, decades later, much of the land taken from Black families in Central Albina remains vacant or is used for parking. 

Before the destruction, Black residents resided in the Central Albina community for economic, spiritual, social, and civic growth. They built lives and worked there; raised their children; paid taxes; purchased and maintained homes; built a community; safeguarded the area; and so much more. They were the stewards of the neighborhood, and because of their investments, Albina has blossomed into the economic powerhouse that it is today. 

Some of the terms of the settlement have been released:

• Emanuel Displaced Persons Association 2 (EDPA2) and 26 survivors and descendants filed this lawsuit in December of 2022.
• Plaintiffs will be paid $2 million by the City of Portland and Prosper Portland.
• Two parcels of real estate will be transferred to EDPA2 (The 2 parcels have not been finalized as reported by the Oregonian).
• A permanent exhibit space will be dedicated to this history in the newly redeveloped Keller Auditorium.
• The City Council will proclaim an annual Descendants’ Day in Portland.
• The City and Prosper will support the making of a documentary film about the destruction of Central Albina.  
• [Emanuel Hospital was reported to have settled as well without disclosing the terms]

As you probably already know, this was only one of many government-driven land takings in the area during this time period. Others include the construction of I-5, the I-405 Kerby Ramps, Portland Public Schools headquarters, Memorial Coliseum and others. Two thirds of the population (from 12,000 to 4,000) was removed through these mechanisms to the two most affected census tracts that mostly overlap the Eliot Neighborhood Boundaries.

From Friends of the Children – They are hosting a Giveaway Event this Friday & Saturday

Flyer text:

BUILDING RENOVATION
COMMUNITY GIVEAWAY
65 NE Stanton St Portland, OR 97212

FRI. 4/11 1PM-6PM / SAT. 4/12 10AM-3PM

NCE
*WHERE: IN FRIENDS PDX’S GYMNASIUM (LARGE PARKING LOT AVAILABLE).
*ALL ITEMS ARE FREE – 1ST COME /1ST SERVE
*PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN BAGS OR BOXES, WE HAVE A LIMITED AMOUNT.G
*WE HAVE A COUPLE CARTS ON SITE AND DOLLIES TO HELP YOU LOAD ITEMSW
*STAFF COORDINATING THE EVENT WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE TO HELP LOAD VEHICLES
*BRING TRANSPORTATION AND FRIENDS / FAMILY TO HELP LOAD OUT IF YOU NEED*HAVE

SOME OF THE LARGER ITEMS WILL BE RAFFLED OFF. RAFFLE WINNERS WILL BE CONTACTED ON 4/9 TO
PICK-UP THEIR ITEMS BY 4/16. CLIC HERE TO SEE THE LIST OF RAFFLE ITEMS https://bit.ly/Morris-Inventory

• CLICK HERE : https://bit.ly/Giveaway-Raffle TO ENTER YOUR NAME IN THE RAFFLE. OR USE QR CODES.TKS

OFFICE SUPPLIES & FURNITURE- MICROWAVES – LEAVING ROOM/DINING ROOM FURNITURE + DECOR –
ORGANIZATION ITEMS – KITCHEN APPLIANCES – COOK WARE – SCHOOL AND ART SUPPLIES – GAMES AND MANY OTHER ITEMS – !!!…

EVERYTHING MUST BE GONE BY CLOSE ON 4/12
EXCEPTION: PICK-UP BY 4/16 OF LARGER ITEMS CAN BE ARRANGED .
CONTACT: facilities@FriendsPDX.org OR CALL: 971-340-1401 . THANK YOU,

The Eliot Neighborhood Association Board approved a proposal to give small grants (up to $100) to neighbors who want to host a block party or other outdoor event in the neighborhood.

Because we know that the foundation of neighborhoods is actual neighbors, we want to do what we can to encourage people meet their neighbors.

Hosting a block party in Portland can be as easy as filling out a block party permit to close a street, or you may not even want to close a street for whatever reason. Some things you might need to think about: printing flyers to tell your neighbor about the event. Getting some road closed signs. Organizing some food or activities. We hope you will consider taking this step towards building a relationship with your neighbors.

Here is the form to apply:

Have questions? Feel free to reach out by filling out the form as much as you can or by emailing info@eliotneighborhood.org

From the Albina Vision Trust and The City of Portland, an invitation to look at planning in southern Eliot (Lower Albina)

Portlanders—join us for Envisioning a Reconnected Albina: A Kickoff Celebration! Come meet with project partners to learn more about how the Reconnecting Albina Planning Project (RAPP) will create urban development strategies that center restorative development for Portland’s Black community and reconnect the physical fabric of the Lower Albina, Lloyd, and Rose Quarter areas.

Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.

Please register to attend this event.

Visit the Reconnecting Albina Planning Project website to stay up to date on project activities. The Pin it, Portland interactive mapping tool is collecting community input until Monday, Mar. 31.

The Eliot Neighborhood Association and others are putting on another legal clinic Friday, February 28th from 10am – 2pm. Advance Sign-Ups are encouraged

Text of the Flyer:
FREE EXPUNGEMENT AND BARRIER REDUCTION LEGAL CLINIC
FRIDAY, FEB 28,10-2PM
CASCADIA HEALTH: GARLINGTON CENTER
3036 NE MLK, JR. BLVD.
Services Offered for lower-Income* Multnomah County Residents:
Criminal Record Expungement
Eviction expungement
Reducing felonies to misdemeanors
Waiving fines and fees (on parking, traffic, and criminal related fines)
Driver’s license reinstatement
Warrant lifts
Business and legal advice for small businesses
Brought to you by:
ELIOT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
CASCADIA HEALTH
LEGALLY BOUND
THE METROPOLITAN PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE