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.
Eliot Neighborhood 