Historic Albina One Apartments celebrates grand opening

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — In an important milestone last week, KOIN 6 Political Director Ken Boddie emceed the grand opening of the Albina One Apartments in North Portland.

The $63 million project is for low-income residents – particularly African Americans – whose families were displaced by the construction of I-5, the Memorial Coliseum, as well as the planned expansion of Emanuel Hospital in the 1960s and 1970s.

Albina Vision Trust is the organization behind bringing many of those families back to the neighborhood.

“We’re making it clear that the future of the city depends on working class folks being able to live right in the heart of the city,” said Winta Yohannes, Executive Director of Albina Vision Trust. “So we’re really excited to welcome back the first families that will be living in the district in over 40 years.”

Most of the 94 units are being offered to renters who are at 48% or less of area median income.

Albina Vision Trust says this is just the beginning.