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Project name: Dr. Darrell Millner Building

Location: Portland

Completion: June 2024

Size: 75,504 square feet

Cost: $23,884,074

Owner/Developer: Community Development Partners in partnership with Self Enhancement Inc.

Architect: Carleton Hart

Interior Designer: Carleton Hart Architecture

Engineers: Humber Design Group, DCI Engineers, NV5

General Contractor: LMC Construction

Submitting Company: LMC Construction

Other Associates: City of Portland Bureau of Development Services/Commercial Inspections, Portland Housing Bureau

Subcontractors: 2C Building Services, AA Asphalting, ALMAR Construction, Andersen Mechanical, Astound Business Solutions, Authority Dock & Door, Building Specialties Northwest, Choice Finish Carpentry, Clair Co., Coles & Bett Environmental Consulting, Comcast Business Services, Compaction and Recycling Equipment, Dallas Glass, DE-EL Enterprises, Eagle Striping Services, Earth Advantage, Exteriors Design Contractors, Forensic Waterproofing Consultants, Frontier Metal Fabrications, Frontier Roofing & Construction, GeoTech Foundation Company West, Guardian Management, Guardian Real Estate Services, Huntco Site Furnishings, J&S Masonry, Jacobs Heating & Air Conditioning, JB Insulation, Jet Industries, Lanz Cabinet Shop, LaRusso Concrete, Lauzon Contracting, LJP Construction, Merit Contractor of Oregon, Mid Valley, Northwest Masonry Restoration, Partner Engineering and Science, Patriot Fire Protection, Paul Brothers, Pilot Development dab US Mailboxes, Point Monitor, Polaris Electric, Polygon US, Prairie Electric, Precision Countertops, Quality Cleaning Service, SDB, Sign Wizards, Standard TV & Appliance, Stephen Waldroup Construction, TerraCalc Land Surveying, TK Elevator, Union Construction, Urban Resources, VPI Quality Windows, WH Cress, Whitaker Ellis Builders, Wood Mechanix Construction

The Dr. Darrell Millner Building, located on North Interstate in the Overlook neighborhood, offers 63 apartments specifically designed for families with ties to what was once a prominent African American community. The project aligns with the Portland Housing Bureau’s N/NE Preference Policy, ensuring those with generational ties to the neighborhood can rebuild connections.

Developed through a partnership between Community Development Partners and Self Enhancement Inc. under the Alberta Alive initiative, the building prioritizes households earning 60 percent or less of the area median income – between $35,400 and $70,800 for a family of four. The development includes 15 one-bedroom, 23 two-bedroom, and 25 three-bedroom units, with 75 percent of apartments featuring multiple bedrooms to accommodate families.

Named for Dr. Darrell Millner, a pioneering scholar who championed the history of Black Oregonians, the building represents more than just housing. The ground floor features 2,500 square feet of neighborhood-serving commercial space, bike parking, car parking, and several art murals. The building’s design blends brick, glass storefronts, and custom metal panels. Special attention was given to acoustics, with modified wall construction increasing sound insulation from the busy North Interstate Avenue. A mural on the north face of the building celebrates the power of education in breaking the cycle of generational poverty, honoring Dr. Millner’s life work.

Certified Earth Advantage Gold, the development maintains high standards for energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.

The project faced several challenges during construction, requiring coordination with the Department of Environmental Quality for soil sampling and with Portland General Electric to temporarily shut down nearby power lines during exterior cladding installation.

Residents benefit from proximity to The Alberta Abbey, located about a mile away, which provides community space for activities and workshops.

Self Enhancement Inc. oversees resident services including after-school programs and adult programming in financial management, credit repair, and home ownership.

The project had a unique evolution, originally designed as an affordable home ownership development. When COVID-19 derailed those plans, the Portland Housing Bureau put out a request for proposals to transition it to affordable rental housing.

The project achieved 30.97 percent MWESB participation. LMC Construction actively fostered partnerships with the DMWESB contracting community. A key example of this was the collaboration with ALMAR Contracting, a local firm owned by Alfonso Elias, a former LMC employee. LMC engaged ALMAR for work on the project and also provided mentorship to an ALMAR foreman.