The City of Portland has approved an $8.5 million settlement to be paid to 26 Black families who were displaced from the Albina district decades ago due to "urban renewal" projects. The agreement marks a significant step in the city's reconciliation efforts, KOIN 6 reports.
Introduced by Councilor Loretta Smith and approved unanimously, the city council voted to increase the original $2 million proposal following public testimony from affected community members during a session marked by a wide range of reactions, Portland Tribune states.
These developments trace their roots to a federal lawsuit filed in December 2022 by the Emanuel Displaced Persons Association 2 representing the plaintiffs, some being direct survivors and others descendants of those who faced the destruction of their homes and businesses, the consequence of development projects from the late 1950s through the 1970s which included the construction of Interstate 5 and the subsequent expansion plans for Legacy Emanuel Hospital, hospital expansion project, which was not completed, left undeveloped lots in an area where approximately 74% of the population is Black, contributing to changes in the community’s structure, according to the OPB article.
As per the settlement, which acknowledge the city’s history of systemic discrimination and displacement, Portland will pay $7.5 million and Prosper Portland will add another $1 million; this rounds up to roughly $327,000 per plaintiff, detailed in the lawsuit dismissal agreement, which also includes financial, land retribution, and other terms with the city also set to transfer ownership of two parcels of land in North Portland to the descendants at no cost, as per OPB. Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney acknowledged the city’s past actions, stating it's not a full restoration because that is an impossibility however it remains a significant gesture, with Councilor Smith emphasizing the collective responsibility to push for community recovery and restorative justice, a sentiment resonating through the Council's decision to raise the settlement amount, Portland Tribune reported.
Furthermore, the agreement stipulates the institution of a Descendants Day, inclusion of descendants in the renovation and design committees should the Keller Auditorium proceed with renovations and support for a documentary film capturing the displacement story of Albina neighborhood families While, the decision has brought forth an array of emotions and acknowledgments with Royal Harris, a 56-year-old plaintiff, expressing to city councilors during the testimony that "What we are here for is redress, the acknowledgement of harm that includes a reversal from that practice and includes the true and proper compensation for that victimization," as he told OPB. While the settlement is not considered by officials such as Council President Pirtle-Guiney to represent full justice, it is identified as a step in the process of addressing past events and working to rebuild community trust.
