‘Rebirth of a neighborhood’: Albina plans move forward
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — When I-5 was built in the 1950s, it split Albina — Portland’s predominantly Black neighborhood — in half, destroying hundreds of homes in the process. For years, community activists and political leaders have worked to reconnect the neighborhood.
Now, thanks to a $450 million grant, reconnecting Albina is more than just a dream.
The Oregon Department of Transportation adopted a reconstruction plan in 2012. Through those 12 years and $115 million spent, no construction has taken place.
Oregon lawmakers assess success of the 2024 legislative session
Though the total cost of the project is expected to be $1.5 billion to $2 billion, the secured grant will be used to create a cap that 3-story buildings can be built on. That’s the first part of the effort to restore the neighborhood and build enough housing for Black families to move back to where they were pushed out.
“You won’t even know that you’re walking over a highway,” said JT Flowers with Albina Vision Trust. “What we’ll see over the course of 5-6-7 years is the rebirth of a neighborhood.”
Many families were paid just a fraction of their home’s worth — or they were forced out with eminent domain.
“Government played a very active role in destroying this neighborhood,” Flowers said. “It makes perfect sense to us that they now want to take an active stance and play an active role in rebuilding and restoring this neighborhood as well.”
Repeat identity thief sentenced to more than 6 years in jail
Megan Channell, the project director for the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project, said, “This is our opportunity to come in with this restorative justice approach.”
Part of the process is a discussion of what the community wants to see.
“We should go to (the) community. We should ask them what they need, what they’d like to see built, and then we should develop our master plan from that vision,” Flowers said.
Even though it’s taken a long time, the wait was necessary.
“It’s time that was needed to get the project right,” Channell said. “Had we constructed the project we had, you know, back in the early or 2000, it wouldn’t have been the right project that fit the community need.”
The project team said there is still no firm date when construction will begin on Flint Street south toward Weidler. The Rose Quarter’s website says 2026 is the goal.
However, more funding needs to be found before Albina is fully restored. Channell hopes state lawmakers can provide some of that money next year.
KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this story.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.