HIGHWAY TO DISPLACEMENT
A Double Displacement: The Federal Interstate and the Heart of Albina
In the mid-20th century, Portland’s embrace of urban renewal and federal highway funding led to a dramatic reshaping of North and Northeast Portland. One of the most destructive results of this effort was the construction of Interstate 5, particularly the section that came to be known locally as the Minnesota Avenue Freeway. This freeway segment cut directly through the Albina neighborhood, historically home to Portland’s Black population, displacing hundreds of families and destroying established community networks.
What Was the Minnesota Avenue Freeway?
The Minnesota Avenue Freeway refers specifically to the stretch of I-5 running between the Fremont Bridge and North Portland Boulevard (now Rosa Parks Way), constructed in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The route was chosen to align with North Minnesota Avenue, a residential corridor filled with small homes, churches, and community institutions.
While engineers may have viewed the route as a "less disruptive" alignment because it followed an existing street, the reality was far more devastating: this path tore through the heart of Black Portland, gutting the Albina community.
Who Was Affected?
By the time I-5 was routed through North Portland, redlining and exclusionary practices had confined Portland’s Black residents to the Albina area. As a result:
Over 400 homes were demolished or moved.
Entire blocks of businesses, churches, and schools were lost.
Approximately 80% of Portland’s Black population was affected by these changes, often with no feasible relocation options within the city.
Many residents received only modest compensation. Some were forced to relocate as renters with no legal right to compensation, and those who did own property saw their generational wealth erased by undervalued buyouts.
Where Did the Homes Go?
ODOT and local preservationists documented how some homes were physically lifted off their foundations and transported, often to:
Far North Portland
St. Johns
Cully or outer East Portland
A notable example is the Mayo House, a Queen Anne-style home that has been relocated multiple times due to freeway and development pressures, most recently preserved by advocates for historic Black neighborhoods.
Still, the majority of homes were simply demolished. The visual record—available through ODOT archives and community preservationists—shows long lines of flatbed trucks carrying houses out of the city, sometimes dozens of miles away.
Key Documentation and Preservation Efforts
ODOT Historic Resources Technical Report – Includes aerial photography and property impact tables showing the transformation of the area from 1948 to the 1960s.
Albina Vision Trust – A nonprofit working to reimagine the neighborhood and advocate for restorative justice.
The Mayo House Project – A preservation effort showcasing both architectural heritage and the story of displacement.
I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project Archives – Include detailed studies of past displacements and current mitigation efforts.
Legacy and Ongoing Discussions
The Minnesota Avenue Freeway’s construction was part of a broader pattern of infrastructure projects targeting marginalized communities under the guise of “progress.” Today, the I-5 corridor remains a physical and psychological scar on the neighborhood. Conversations around restorative justice have gained traction, with calls for land trusts, community investment, and reconnection projects like Albina Vision Trust’s development plan.
Further Reading & Sources
Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) – Historic Resources Technical Report
Albina Vision Trust: www.albinavision.org
Portland City Archives – Urban Renewal and Highway Displacement
