Albina Vision Trust

Mission

The Albina Vision Trust exists to ensure that our most marginalized communities are reflected in Portland’s built environment and that we participate in the wealth generated by our presence as owners of our homes and businesses. We are building an entire zip code from the ground up, one explicitly geared towards housing, nurturing, safeguarding and financially elevating Black Portlanders. Our 94-acre project area makes the Albina Vision the largest restorative redevelopment effort in America.

Historically, Albina was home to 80% of Portland’s Black population. During the 1950’s and 1960’s, racist urban renewal policies displaced families and forced them to leave their stable and abundant community. Albina was classified “blighted” and redlined, with properties condemned for cents on the dollar. Government officials carved up the thriving neighborhood, demolishing thousands of homes to build Interstate 5, Veterans Memorial Coliseum, and the sprawling 10.5-acre Portland Public Schools (PPS) headquarters facility. Our work is situated in this context, understanding the role that the government historically played in the destruction of community abundance in Lower Albina, and understanding that the way forward must be firmly rooted in the principles of racial, economic, and environmental justice.  Together, we can build the most innovative and equitable district in the country.
 

Bottom Line for Portland

Portland's thriving Black neighborhood of Albina was destroyed through decades of racist urban planning. Albina Vision Trust is buying back land, rebuilding community, and rerooting Black legacies and Black futures in the heart of Portland’s central city. The foundation we lay today will shape the next 50 years of life and possibility for Portland’s central city.  

Quote

"Albina Vision Trust is committed to creating a space and place that is reflective of what we aspire to as a community and a city. For some people, the intentional destruction of Albina is history, but for many of the folks we talk to, it is also memory. They remember the homes, entertainment venues and businesses that are no longer here. Our goal is to curate development of new history for Lower Albina. AVT narrates a path that will create a total and comprehensive community, one which will afford our children and grandchildren positive and affirming history and memories.” - Michael Alexander, Board Chair, Albina Vision Trust.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The violence of displacement is a visceral and life-altering phenomenon. Many of our staff and leadership are Black Portlanders who grew up in this city and witnessed the destructive forces of urban renewal and gentrification firsthand. Our ties to our community run deep; we understand that this effort is a collective one. As we imagine what could be, our role is not to guide, but to follow the guidance of those who know Albina intimately and care to see our district prosper anew. To mend means to grow. Let us walk towards tomorrow as shared stewards of a precious dream couched in a district-wide redevelopment project: the radical idea that connection can be capital, community can heal, and healing can transform what is possible for generations of children that have yet to draw their first breath.

Incentives

Our incredible Building Albina Matching Challenge partners will match dollar for dollar every donation to Albina Vision Trust up to $35,500, doubling the impact of your gift!  

In addition to your gift being matched, the first 100 donors to Albina Vision Trust will get a $5 Atlas Pizza gift card, good at any Atlas Pizza location in Portland, thanks to our great partners at Atlas Pizza!

Partner(s)

Huge thanks to our Building Albina Matching Challenge partners who are matching the first $35,500 in donations! Thank you:

Beneficial State Bank

Colas Construction 

ECOnorthwest

LEVER Architecture

Owen Gabbert LLC

Perkins Coie, LLP

¿Por Qué No? Taqueria

Walsh Construction Co. 

Thank you to Atlas Pizza for your tasty partnership!

Also, huge shout out to our ongoing partners at the Portland Trail Blazers. Earlier this year, we collectively launched the Albina Rose Alliance, a first-of-its-kind partnership between a community-led developer and a major sports franchise, to accelerate the restorative development of Lower Albina.