East Portland Brownfields Project

In 2012, Groundwork Portland worked with 8 David Douglas High School students to learn about environmental justice and brownfields. In the process, the young women identified 20 vacant and abandoned properties for potential redevelopment.

In August 2012, East Portland community members came out for a visioning session, where they drew their ideas for what they would like to see developed on these sites. These drawings were later turned into this series of composite renderings by professional artists.

Groundwork Portland wants your feedback on these visions. What do you want to see developed on underutilized or vacant land in East Portland? Here are some comments from East Portlanders who we spoke to at the E. Portland Community Center recently:

“Community garden and food presentation classes/site” – “Art with the theater – maybe a movie once a month” – “A place where the community can gather” – “We need things to do” – “We need more affordable places to get healthy food” – “We desperately need green space in this downtown area for families”

Community members are currently taking the lead in identifying next steps for the planning and acquisition of the properties through the East Portland Action Plan Brownfields Subcommittee to help move this project forward. Contact Groundwork Portland if you are interested in joining the Subcommittee.