Urban League of Portland to Vacate North Russell Site
The historic organization must move out of its longtime headquarters by November 15 following a court-ordered eviction.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Apartments
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The Urban League of Portland is vacating its long-standing headquarters at Urban Plaza on North Russell Street following a court-ordered eviction. The move concludes a multi-year legal battle between the organization and the Portland Community Reinvestment Initiative.
Why it matters
This exit marks the end of a four-decade presence in the Albina neighborhood, leaving questions about the future of the $1.6 million in city investment previously poured into the building. The dispute, which accelerated after the Urban League highlighted building maintenance issues to the media, illustrates the complex tensions between local property owners and long-term community tenants.
The Urban League occupied Urban Plaza for 4 decades before receiving an eviction order, which follows the removal of 24 affordable housing units from the site 2 years ago. The facility has received $1.6 million in city investment, though the building's current state remains a point of contention.
The players
Urban League of Portland
A long-standing civil rights and community-based organization serving Portland since 1941.
Portland Community Reinvestment Initiative
The property owner and organization that initiated the eviction process against the Urban League.
Margaret Carter
A long-time community figure and advocate who has frequented the Urban Plaza site since 1967.
The details
The Portland Community Reinvestment Initiative initiated the eviction after the Urban League sold them the property. A judge ruled in favor of the property owner following unsuccessful negotiations between the landlord, the Urban League, and the city. The organization must complete its move from the North Russell Street site by mid-November.
Timeline
1941 marks the year the Urban League of Portland began serving the city.
1967 was when Margaret Carter first began visiting the Urban Plaza location.
2024 saw the removal of residential tenants from the building.
October 2026 is when the court issued the one-month move-out order.
November 15, 2026, is the final deadline for the Urban League to fully vacate.
Beyond the Bridges
This eviction marks the final chapter in a series of site closures that began with the 2024 displacement of residential tenants from Urban Plaza. The current move serves as a total exit from the property, reversing decades of local community operations at this specific North Russell Street address.
The transition will displace a central community organization from the Albina neighborhood by November 15. Neighbors should expect ongoing activity at the Urban Plaza site as the organization finishes its move-out process.
The takeaway
The Urban League must fully vacate the premises by November 15, 2026, following the court's final ruling. Residents should monitor the property to see how the Portland Community Reinvestment Initiative manages the building after the organization's departure.
Further reading
For more context on how building use and site redevelopments are changing local blocks, see our coverage of Apartments.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KPTV.
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