Black Futures Farm has wound up a 2022 growing season bountiful in produce, culture, solidarity, and influence. As a project of the Black Food Sovereignty Coalition, BFF occupies 5.5 acres in Brentwood-Darlington’s Green Thumb complex. The farmers identify as Black- Diasporic and Continental African people who “work together to grow food and community.” In 2022, their big harvest baskets overflowed with vegetables, flowers, berries, grapes, and fruit. For more information, see https://blackfutures.farm.
Electronics Recycling. On April 1, 2023, recycle your old devices, chargers, cables, computer, printers, and more at the Brentwood-Darlington Community Center. Stay for a hands-on workshop on bicycle maintenance and repair, a seed exchange, and game-playing directed by Master Recyclers. The address is 7211 SE 62ndAvenue (9:30am-12:30pm). Mark your calendar. April 1st – THIS IS NOT A JOKE.
Master Gardeners. The Multnomah County Master Gardener Demonstration Garden has also wrapped up a productive year. The garden donated 1,576 pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables to local food pantries, received 345 visitors, and held an “Open Garden” in August. The Demo Garden is a teaching space open to anyone who wants to learn from or work with Master Gardener volunteers. They’re closed for the season now, but will be welcoming learners, volunteers, and visitors again on March 6, 2023. Email inquiries here.
Brentwood-Darlington Community Center. Are you aware of the community center near Lane Middle School? Impact NW and BDNA are working on a plan for BDCC’s future. Along with rehabbing the building and working out legal issues, we are envisioning a space where friends can meet up, residents can connect with resources, and people can take refuge during extreme climate-driven weather events. As planning evolves, we will be reaching out to the residents of B-D to join us in shaping BDCC’s future.
Zoning changes proposed for Brentwood-Darlington. Many Brentwood-Darlington residents desire more shops and services closer to home. However, we have seen little commercial development in B-D to date because we are low density and low income compared with other parts of Portland. City planners working on the Lower Southeast Rising Area Plan have suggested zoning changes for stretches of 52nd and 72nd avenues north and south of Flavel Street that might attract developers.
The changes would allow for taller buildings than now allowed. The buildings could contain commercial or residential space, or a mix of the two. Zoning allows land owners to build new buildings, but only if they want to.
The Lower Southeast Rising Area Plan is also concerned with transportation and displacement issues. For detail on the entire plan, consult the draft Preferred Framework Report; see especially p. 25 for the zoning map, which also proposes zoning changes along Flavel Street east of 72nd Avenue.
Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood Association 