🚓 How Mayor Wilson will fund parks *and* police

$8.5M for Displaced Black Portland Families

In an unusual move, City Council last week rejected a $2 million legal settlement proposed by city attorneys. Instead, the council unanimously quadrupled the amount the city will pay to 26 descendants of Black families displaced from the Albina neighborhood during the late ’50s to the early ’70s. Legacy Emanuel hospital previously settled their part of the federal case. [Willamette Week]

Settlement in the Drowning Death

City Council last week also approved a legal settlement to pay $1.66 million to the family of an Afghan refugee after she drowned in 2023. The 12-year-old girl was swimming on a 90-degree August day at Montavilla Pool. Hers was the first drowning death in a city pool in four decades. [Oregonian]

4 New Homeless Shelters To Open by Fall

No matter what happens with the city budget this week, four new shelters (with a mix of private and city funding) are expected to open by fall — with more than 300 beds. Mayor Wilson is looking to add 1,500 beds overall. [Oregonian]

Electricity Costs To Be Covered by Data Centers

The Legislature has passed a bill requiring data centers to cover the cost of creating new power and building new transmission lines. They’ll also be required to sign a 10-year contract with power companies. Data centers currently use 11% of Oregon’s electricity supply. [Oregonian 🔒]