Jashayla Pettigrew and Brandon Thompson
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The team behind the $115 million development project that aims to “revitalize” the historically Black Albina neighborhood has made major headway.
The Williams & Russell Project — a joint effort between Portland nonprofit Williams and Russell CDC and other community partners — recently announced it will bring affordable housing and a Black business hub to the 1.7-acre block at North Russell Street and North Williams Avenue.
“Homeownership is really the most important thing. Folks want to have a way to create generational wealth that was denied to them by having their families move out and their homes taken away,” said Chandra Robinson with Lever Architecture.
The property has been under Legacy Health’s ownership since the 1960s when city officials bought and demolished housing in the area to prepare for “urban renewal projects.” In addition to buying land from the Portland Development Commission, the hospital system said it also acquired property from homeowners with the goal of expanding its facilities.
Legacy Health has since planned to donate the property back to Black Portland.
“The vision of the Williams & Russell Project honors Portland’s displaced African American community, and Legacy is proud to be part of this historic effort by returning the land to the community,” Legacy Health Board Chair Charles Wilhoite said in a statement.
Real estate development company Adre is behind the design concept for the construction project, which is slated to break ground in May 2025.
Adre’s planned apartment complex will include 85 units with one to three bedrooms, outdoor space and “cultural-specific daycare,” among other features. The property will serve residents who earn between 30% and 60% less than the Portland metro’s area median income.
“The center of this development is a plaza and a garden that are there to tell the history and story of the neighborhood of this site and be a landmark space,” said Anyeley Hallova with Adre.
Williams & Russell CDC said the project will additionally include 20 one-to-three-bedroom homes, some of which will include accessory dwelling units or are ADA accessible. Residents who earn between 60% and 120% less than the AMI level will be eligible to live in the homes.
The development will also feature a “Black Business Hub” with low-cost office and retail space for Black entrepreneurs in organizations in the Portland area, along with a plaza and central garden.
With funding from Prosper Portland, Oregon Housing and Community Services, the Portland Clean Energy Fund and other local organizations, the project is expected to be complete in 2027.
“I am honored to have had a hand in this project since its inception and I am grateful to see the project reach this key milestone – especially because it addresses many of the community priorities including equity, housing affordability, access, displacement, and climate change,” Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said. “I look forward to our continued collaboration and to work commencing on the site.”
