Residents of Portland's Albina district have a chance to engage in a meaningful dialogue about the future of their neighborhood during the upcoming Envisioning a Reconnected Albina event. This is a part of the Reconnecting Albina Planning Project (RAPP), which is focused on urban development strategies that consider equitable outcomes and restorative development for the historically Black community. According to the City of Portland, the project leverages multiple initiatives, including the Albina Vision Trust's Community Investment Plan and the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project, to create a cohesive and connected district.

So far, the RAPP project team has wrapped up an existing conditions assessment and is accepting community input via the interactive tool Pin it, Portland. Residents can make their voices heard by sharing concerns or identifying community assets within the study area. The public has until March 31 to engage with the platform, and Portlanders are encouraged to register for the kickoff event on Feb. 27 at the new Albina Vision Trust headquarters.

Other ongoing endeavors include the Columbia Corridor-Industrial Lands Ezones Project, which is tackling environmental overlay zones in industrial areas, balancing economic growth and natural resource preservation. For those with stakes in the area, there's still an opportunity to request a free site visit via the project's interactive map to verify natural resource mapping on their property, as per the City of Portland.

Coming down the pipeline, Portlanders can look forward to the adoption of the Montgomery Park Area Plan (MPAP) and several code updates, including the Odor Code and the Rose Quarter Sign Code, both slated to take effect in March. As the city evolves, these plans and projects represent key stepping stones toward a Portland that honors its past while constructing a framework for a sustainable and prosperous future. For continued updates, interested Portlanders can subscribe to BPS email notifications through their official website.