Crews are set to break ground Friday on a 1.7-acre site that was once home to the "center of the African American commercial district" in Portland before it was condemned in the 1970s in the name of urban renewal.

Why it matters: The Williams & Russell Project, named for the intersection where it's located, aims to provide space for the Black community, especially for those whose family members were displaced.

• "People who rightfully deserve to be there will get first dibs," said Azalea Renfield, executive director of Williams & Russell Community Development Corp.

Context: Roughly 50 years ago, the area was condemned by the city when what was then called the Emanuel Hospital sought to expand its footprint.

• More than 170 families, the majority of them Black, were displaced and their homes were razed.
• Funding for the expansion failed to materialize and, in many cases, the displaced families saw the sites of their former homes turned into vacant lots.
• The block at Williams and Russell sat derelict for decades until 2017 when now-Legacy Emanuel Medical Center — along with the city and its economic and urban development agency, Prosper Portland — agreed to donate the land and develop it through a community-driven process.

By the numbers: The $120 million development will feature a 30,000-square-foot business hub, 85 apartments for rent, 20 townhomes for sale — with the dwellings available to people making 30% to 120% of the median income for the area.

• The business hub will house event, retail and office space, along with areas for workforce training, a business accelerator and a podcast studio.
• "We're basically going to revitalize Black Portland and make it an epicenter, a place to be with our community," Renfield said.
• Townhome construction is expected to be done next year, followed by the apartments in 2027 and the business hub in early 2028.

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Bankrupt arts and crafts retailer Joann announced this week that it will close all of its roughly 800 stores nationwide after its restructuring plans faltered and a liquidator agreed to buy its assets.

• Yes, but: Portlanders won't have to go far to find budget-friendly supplies for their next hobby, thanks to the city's dense inventory of arts and crafts businesses.

Between the lines: The Joann going-out-of-business or liquidation sales are expected to "take a number of weeks," the retailer said on a customer FAQ posted on its restructuring website.

• The nine locations within the Portland metro area may close at any time, but the dates "will be communicated as soon as possible" via the store's website and app.

Here are several local businesses that specialize in all kinds of crafts — from sewing and quilting to knitting, painting and scrapbooking.

Artist & Craftsman Supply has all kinds of creative supplies, such as paints, sketchbooks and fabrics, with locations in Arbor Lodge and off SE Powell Boulevard.

SCRAP, located on SW Alder Street but soon moving to SE Portland, sells donated and used craft supplies and trinkets, like buttons, vintage stamps, stickers and beads.

Pioneer Quilts in Oak Grove is home to thousands of bolts of hand-dyed wool and other high-quality fabrics, plus kits for learning how to make your own.

Bolt Fabric Boutique not only offers hard-to-find natural-fiber fabrics and other sewing materials, but also puts on a variety of in-person classes for quilting, sewing and apparel making.

Three more

🏞️ Metro purchased a 553-acre parcel in Clackamas County, which includes the Eagle Creek Golf Course, and plans to convert it into a natural area. (The Oregonian)

🤒 Oregon is seeing a second peak of seasonal flu as vaccination rates drop amid what could end up being one of the worst influenza seasons in the past decade. (OPB)

Former Vancouver mayor Royce Pollard, who helped lead an effort to revitalize the downtown area, died at the age of 85. (KGW)

🎸 Organizers of Pickathon ha ve released this year's lineup: Big names like Portugal. The Man, Julien Baker & Torres and Taj Mahal will perform as part of the festival's 25th anniversary in Happy Valley. (Willamette Week)

Across the street from this mural is the Redd on Salmon event space, an anchor of the Central Eastside and the venue for many food-related events, like "Top Chef: Portland."

• The mural itself is a collaboration between artists David Rice and Zach Yarrington, and pays homage to the 2001 song "American Hearts" by the hardcore punk band Piebald.

👏 Only one correct answer this week. Congrats to reader Rustyn B. for clocking that I was standing on the corner of SE Salmon Street and 8th Avenue.

• I either have to start giving better hints or y'all gotta get out more.

Until next time ...