I'm a Mount Tabor neighborhood resident deeply concerned about tree removal at the Portland Community College campus between SE 77th Ave. and Division St. This cherished green space is more than just an empty lot—it's a living ecosystem and community sanctuary where residents find respite and wildlife thrives.

This space is designated to provide 120+ affordable housing units, crucial to many in our community. These people need stable foundations to live and thrive. The needs of the trees and our future neighbors are intertwined. We all deserve a safe place to put down our roots. 

Trees have already been removed, and we understand that trees within the building zone must be removed for future buildings. What we ask to incorporate the elder trees on the edges of the land into existing building plans.

Community Ecosystem at Risk

Our neighborhood's elder trees represent more than aesthetic beauty. They are critical habitats supporting local wildlife, including squirrels and nesting birds while providing essential urban cooling and environmental benefits. These trees are not just vegetation but integral members of our community's ecological network. They each deserve to be incorporated into existing development plans for affordable housing.

Context

LMC Construction is building the OJF / PCC Legin Commons on the corner of SE 77th Ave. and Division St. In their building proposal, many of the older existing trees (all except 4) will be removed and replaced with younger trees. The oldest trees are on the site's periphery, away from the future building. In a posted notice on the site perimeter fence, LMC Construction states, “...they have attempted to preserve as many existing trees as possible considering tree health and City building requirements.” They list the following reasons for tree removal - Sick/dying, Infected by insects/fungi, In the footprint of the building, In the footprint of parking, In the code-required building setback, In a re-graded zone. However, none of these were found sick by the assessing arborist.

LMC Construction has noted they will plant “...native. Flowering, edible, and hard species, exchanging the site as an ecosystem.” All of which would benefit the existing tree stand and our future human neighbors.

Call to Action

Let’s work together to protect our neighborhood tree stand by incorporating a majority of existing trees into the OJF / PCC Legin Commons.

We urge relevant authorities in Portland to protect the trees between SE 77th Ave. and Division St. from removal and include them in affordable housing plans for OJF / PCC Legin Commons.

We ask for current and future community member involvement to safeguard the future of our tree neighbors.