In a landmark decision, the city of Portland has agreed to pay $8.5 million in settlement funds to 26 descendants of Black Portlanders who were forcibly displaced from their homes and businesses during urban development projects that occurred from the late 1950s through the 1970s.
This settlement comes after a group of descendants filed a federal lawsuit in late 2022, claiming that the city, along with Emanuel Legacy Medical Center and Prosper Portland, conspired to dismantle a once-vibrant Black neighborhood in the Central Albina area.
The civil rights litigation, submitted to the U.S. District Court, outlined how these entities worked together to demolish homes and shutter businesses, leading to significant losses for the families involved.
On Thursday, the Portland City Council reached a unanimous agreement to endorse the settlement, initially proposed at $2 million. However, following heartfelt testimony from community members, including some descendants, the total was raised by an additional $6.5 million to reach the final settlement amount.
Council president Elana Pirtle-Guiney articulated the gravity of the legacy of these actions, stating, ‘It was taken not by accident. It happened through public policy.’ Her acknowledgment of the historical context emphasized the systemic nature of displacement experienced by Black Portlanders when urban renewal initiatives, eminent domain practices, and zoning changes disrupted the community’s generational progress.
Pirtle-Guiney recognized the pain associated with the settlement process, affirming: ‘I want to be clear that this settlement, it’s not a full restoration, because it never can be. But nonetheless, it is important.’
As part of the settlement arrangement, the lawsuit will be officially dismissed, and the descendants will receive various forms of compensation, including financial reparation and land restitution.
The Central Albina neighborhood once thrived as a hub for Black-owned businesses in the 1940s, but the situation drastically changed in the 1950s when the city began displacing hundreds of residents to make way for the Interstate 5 expansion.
Later, as federal urban renewal grants were secured, plans to expand the Emanuel Legacy Medical Center and ‘remove blight’ from the area culminated in the displacement of more than 150 families.
Despite the ambitious plans, the expected hospital expansion never materialized; much of the land has remained undeveloped or relegated to parking lots.
Royal Harris, a 56-year-old plaintiff in the class action suit, expressed the profound impact of this displacement, reflecting on how such actions altered family trajectories: ‘We are talking about significant numbers that changed the direct trajectory of communities and families.’ He urged city councilors for true acknowledgment and compensation for the hardships endured by his community.
In a rare display of unity and empathy, the city councilors collectively decided to enhance the settlement amount after listening to emotional testimonies during the meeting. Their decision led to applause, cheers, and visible gasps of surprise from those in attendance.
The financial breakdown of the settlement will see the city of Portland contributing $7.5 million, while Prosper Portland will add $1 million. This division equates to approximately $327,000 for each of the 26 plaintiffs involved. It’s important to note that legal settlements from municipal sources are typically funded through separate pockets of money, distinct from the general fund.
Moreover, the settlement explicitly states that the city acknowledges its engagement in ‘systemic discrimination and displacement that harmed Black communities.’ The acknowledgment addresses how such practices undermined homeownership opportunities for Black Portlanders, severely impacting their ability to build generational wealth, which further perpetuated segregation.
In addition to the financial compensation, the agreement mandates that the city transfers ownership of two city-owned parcels of land in North Portland to the descendants, without cost. Three potential plots have been identified for this transfer.
The settlement also requires the city to establish a Descendants Day beginning this year for a minimum of five years. Furthermore, the city will support a grant to fund a film documenting the historical displacement from the Albina neighborhood’s perspective.
An innovative aspect of the settlement centers on the upcoming renovation plans for the Keller Auditorium; it includes provisions for at least two descendants to participate in the renovation and design committees.
The performing arts center was renamed Keller Auditorium in 2000 following a significant donation from Richard Keller in honor of his father, the first chairman of the Portland Development Commission, which is now Prosper Portland.
image source from：https://www.klcc.org/politics-government/2025-06-06/portland-to-pay-8-5m-settlement-to-descendants-of-displaced-black-families
