The Story of Portland's First Great Urban Renewal Project
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- Опубликовано: 8 мар 2024
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Post World War II Portland, Oregon had not flourished in the way some other American cities had. By the 50s it was lost in stagnation and peppered by blighted regions all across town. With the onset of a concept known as urban renewal, the city began looking into how to use urban renewal to revive itself. With the passing of the Housing Act of 1954 the Federal Government was willing to cover some of the costs if a city pursued an urban renewal project with an objective of clearing out a slum area. Needless to say, Portland dove at this opportunity.
It wouldn't be until the end of the 1950s that the city began work on such a project in an area known as the South Auditorium district. This site was near the waterfront of the Willamette, bordering downtown's main commercial hub to its south. This area had been blighted for decades and was considered an eyesore to many. To some it was a no-brainer to revive such an area but reviving such a place was easier said than done. And for what the city gained with this multi-year project there was a great deal that was lost and, furthermore, a great deal that was not well planned out.
In this video I discuss the origins of this project, the recreational center fiasco that slowed the whole thing down, the issues of dealing with the citizens who were displaced by the project, and comparing and contrasting what was once in this area with what replaced it and what still stands there today.
My grandparents got kicked out of their house so the city could build I 205. They were paid but not what the house was worth.
Good job. Don DuPay, my husband was a Portland Police officer and used to patrol that area. The stories he's told me of that time are fascinating.
This is really well done Steve. Thank you for all of your time, effort and research. I’m so happy you got the old band back together.😁
What an amazing, detailed account of this project. So sad to see what happened to the local residents, and to the gorgeous old buildings. A perfect snapshot of this style of "renewal", post WW II -- nice enough to look at from afar but, (aside from a few quality spaces like Keller Fountain), bland and soulless up close. The before / after shots are amazing. Keep these coming, you are providing wonderful glimpses into what makes Portland Portland!
You have to learn from your mistakes and learn from the history
This content is why I subscribed to you. Good job
This was so good. I've shared it on all my social media. The Portland Then and Now literally brought tears to my eyes. All those lovely old buildings and houses... Well done!
Still doing this all over
Although I like a few of the better mid century buildings in this area, the whole place feels lifeless. I can’t imagine what a cool district this would have been between the time is was torn down and now. Artists and musicians thrived in areas like this across the country in the 70s, 80s, and 90s.
I have family connections to the neighborhood under discussion. In my opinion, Steve, in an otherwise exemplary documentary, erred in comparing the South Auditorium Urban Renewal Plan to gentrification. What SAURP did was
Well done!
Very good job. I grew up hearing about about this. You're the first person in years I've seen talk about it
The narration at the end was evoked emotions. Well done.
I live in Toronto, on the other side of the continent. I've never been to Portland and didn't know anything about that city until I viewed your video. I wasn't surprised that another variation of an all too familiar story was being being told about urban renewal. What prompted me to write this comment was your "Then and Now" segment at the end of your video. Those before and after images almost brought me to tears. Portland has such beautiful architecture once. As in most cities, they were demolished and replaced with some of the ugliest built features of the urban environment. It is no different in Toronto.
Well done, dude. Your work shows a real talent for historical documentary. As good or better than what I've seen on PBS. My family was impacted by this disgraceful period of PDX history. I remember them speaking of all this back in the 60's and 70's. They were quite bitter and resentful of what went down. They never got over it.
He definitely killed it on this one
Also, the "Then and Now" piece!!!! The images with the best mood music, Kevin MacLeod!!! Exquisite in combination.....Thank you!!!
You really outdid yourself with this one. I've been following you for a few years and I've watched your progress. This is a great video, excellent work!!
Another quality production by Steve. 💯👏 😀🍿📽🎬
STAH! I so enjoy your content! Thank you for your care and love for the city of Portland...I not only look forward to additional micro/macro historic endeavors but rewatching your videos...keep up this wonderful work!