Portland City Council Passes Groundbreaking Settlement Agreement for Survivors and Descendants of Albina Urban Renewal Displacement

June 5^th, 2025 - During a historic moment in Portland City Council, a proposed settlement agreement between the City of Portland, Prosper Portland, and the Emanuel Displaced Persons Association 2, including 26 individual plaintiffs, was amended and ratified by Portland City Council. The settlement stems from the urban renewal displacement of Black Portlanders from the lower Albina district from the 1940's through the 1970's.

Councilor Loretta Smith was briefed on May 30^th that Prosper Portland and the City of Portland had reached a settlement agreement with plaintiffs in the amount of $2 Million, in monetary compensation. The proposed settlement also included a no-cost land transfer for vacant properties owned by Prosper Portland, pending due diligence. Councilor Smith immediately saw that this version of the settlement was not commensurate with the harms endured in this case.

"These policies deliberately marginalized Black communities and left lasting scars when residents were pushed out of Albina without reparations, leaving an indelible mark on our city's history. Our response must be deliberate, comprehensive, and rooted in fairness and justice-so that both sides feel they engaged in good faith negotiations." Councilor Smith said in a plea to her colleagues. Councilor Smith led a charge to advocate for plaintiffs and the city to return to the negotiating table, and Portland City Council agreed, with Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney temporarily recessing the meeting for an Executive Session.

After some deliberation with City Council, Mayor Keith Wilson, the City Attorney's Office and other top city staff returned to the City Council meeting with an amendment to the settlement that would increase monetary compensation for plaintiffs to a total of $8.5 million. In a groundbreaking moment of unity and moral clarity, Portland City Council unanimously voted to amend and adopt the settlement agreement, delivering an emotional and sweeping response in council chambers. Before entering her affirmative vote, Council President offered "I want to thank our colleague Councilor Smith, for putting forward a proposal that helps us do more.", in an encouraging sign of things to come.