The Russell & Williams Community Development Corporation is hosting a ‘Warm the Block’ coat and food drive at Dishman this coming Saturday from 1-4pm. Details below

The Eliot Parking Task Force met with Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) over the summer and they talked about a number of changes. As you may know, last year’s permit program for Zone V was not very effective at discouraging Moda Center event-goers from parking in our neighborhood. However, this year the City proposed a new plan, we made some tweaks and it is just taking a little bit longer to implement. We’re seeing December 31st as the implementation date.

One issue that we worked with the City on was trying to add the missing link on N Flint avenue between N Tillamook and N Hancock to the permit area. ODOT engineers say the N Flint bridge across I-5 is strong enough to support parked cars and we have lots of pictures documenting cars parked on the bridge. ODOT has denied this request saying that “because construction staging space is very limited in this area, it needs to be reserved and available for the contractor to use during project construction”.

From ODOT’s project website, it looks like “phase 1A” has started construction. This project appears to be bridge maintenance and stormwater facility construction only- unrelated to the main part of the Rose Quarter project that we have been fighting against. These two pieces of the project are 0.8 miles and 0.5 miles away from the project site on the shortest routes to these two projects. Storing materials on bridges is not always the best idea since some previous bridge collapses have been connected with extra materials and weight being stored on them, but I’m sure ODOT’s engineers know this and are taking precautions.

We are disappointed to see ODOT unwilling to take simple action to free up parking near the first 2 residential buildings downhill from I-5 in 50 years. ‘Albina One’, which just opened, and ‘Analog’ which has been open only a few years. We urge ODOT to reconsider this decision.

For more information on the parking zone changes, see this from PBOT or visit their webpage:

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is expanding the Zone V permit area in the Eliot neighborhood with some changes. Permits make it easier for those who live and work in Eliot to find on-street parking during large events in and around the Rose Quarter. See map below. PBOT will begin installing new pay stations and “Pay to Park” signs soon. The Zone V expanded area and new rules go into effect Dec. 31. Here’s what’s new for visitors without a Zone V permit when the Lloyd Event District is active: – Pay-to-park for on-street spaces (up to $5/hour) – 5-hour time limit – Rules apply year-round For Zone V permit holders when the Lloyd Event District is active: – No payment required – No time restrictions PBOT is installing new pay stations and “Pay to Park” signs soon. The Zone V expanded area and new rules go into effect Dec. 31

Friends of Trees is planting FREE street and yard trees in Eliot! We have a wide variety of species for you to select from, and provide planting support, tree care education, and free watering for street trees. Sign up here for your trees today: friendsoftrees.org/get-a-treeIf you’d like to participate in our Eliot neighborhood planting event on January 17 but not receive a tree, please sign up here: friendsoftrees.org/event-calendar

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.

Minds Matter Portland empowers high-achieving, low-income students to reach their goal of attending and graduating from college. This 3 year mentoring program offers academic support and hands-on opportunities. Students gain the tools they need to navigate the college admissions process and thrive beyond it.

In the wake of recent changes, the need for community-based support is more urgent than ever. Volunteer mentors play a vital role in closing the opportunity gap for talented students who deserve equitable access to higher education.

Founded over 30 years ago in New York City, Minds Matter has operated in Portland since 2006. Last year, the program expanded to Hillsboro. With two sites now serving students, there are more ways than ever to get involved. 100% of Minds Matter students are accepted to four-year colleges, and 90% go on to graduate from those institutions.

Volunteers are needed in both the Portland and Hillsboro locations. In Portland, they meet with students on Saturdays during the school year in NE Portland site on Alberta Street, next to Eliot School in the adjacent King neighborhood. Sign up for a coffee chat to learn more about what it’s like to volunteer, or fill out an online application if you’re ready to get started today!

On a personal note, I have also been volunteering as a mentor with Minds Matter for the past 4 years, and have found it an incredibly rewarding journey. If you’d like to hear more about my personal experience, please email serena@eliotneighborhood.org.

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

The City is having an open house for the Boise & Eliot Parking Management district they are proposing to create. This area would not see any immediate parking permits or meters, but parking time limit signs are proposed for 2025 and an evaluation of those may lead to more tools being used within the district.

To learn more, city staff will be at:

Boise-Eliot/Humboldt Elementary School

1-4 PM, Sunday January 26th

I imagine the information at the open house will be more detailed than what is currently on the project website: https://www.portland.gov/transportation/parking/boise-parking/boise-parking

Here is a map from December of the proposed district.

If adopted, the City will create a Stakeholder Advisory Committee to manage the district which will have an open application. It is expected that some people who have been advising so far will stay on to help advise the implementation but new spots will be available as well.