Business Hub
A Home for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in North Portland
Business Hub
A Home for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in North Portland
At the heart of the Williams & Russell site will stand a 26,000-square-foot Cross-Laminated Timber Business Hub — a bold return to the spirit of the historic Hill Block, once Portland’s thriving center of Black commerce and community life.
This visionary space reclaims that legacy by creating affordable retail, office, and collaborative spaces where North Portland’s entrepreneurs can build, connect, and thrive.
Opening in 2028, the Hub represents something unprecedented: a community-controlled commercial building designed by and for North Portland’s historically displaced Black community.
This isn’t just affordable office space — it’s a new chapter in an old story. Every lease signed, every business launched, every job created helps rebuild the economic heartbeat once centered at the Hill Block and ensures that North Portland’s Black businesses can start, scale, and stay rooted in the community that built them.
Reclaiming Our Economic Power
This site once thrived as the center for Black business, culture, and soul. Williams & Russell was where Black Portland came to shop, eat, gather, and build wealth. The finest clothes, the best soul food, wall-to-wall community—these blocks were the economic heartbeat of the city.
When urban renewal bulldozed this district in the 1970s, it didn't just destroy buildings—it destroyed Black economic power, business networks, and generational wealth. Families lost not just their businesses, but their customers, their suppliers, their community economic ecosystem.
The Business Hub is a declaration: we're not just returning—we're building power. This space will restore what was taken while creating what was always possible: a place where North Portland entrepreneurs don't just survive but thrive, where wealth circulates within the community, where the next generation of North Portland business leaders can build their empires.
The Business Hub is designed for the full spectrum of entrepreneurship—from established businesses ready to expand to startups launching their first venture, from solo practitioners to growing teams, from retail concepts to professional services.
We're currently connecting with business owners, service providers, and community organizations who want to bring their vision to life at Williams & Russell. Priority goes to businesses that strengthen the local economy and serve the community.
Ready to Build Your Business Legacy?
Future Business Space - Built for Business Success
Affordable Retail Space
Retail Space for Businesses
Affordable retail space designed for businesses to serve the community. Flexible layouts in a Cross-Laminated Timber building that creates warm, welcoming spaces for customers and community.
Office Space for Organizations
Offices for Community-Based Organizations
Professional office space for businesses and community-based organizations. Affordable leasing designed to support business growth and community-serving organizations.
Event & Collaboration Spaces
Built for Affordability & Sustainability
Meeting rooms and event spaces available for business networking, community meetings, cultural events, and celebrations. These spaces strengthen business relationships and community connections.
Cross-Laminated Timber - Sustainable Design for Lasting Impact
Why CLT Construction Matters
Our Cross-Laminated Timber building isn't just beautiful—it's a statement about values. CLT is one of the most sustainable building materials available, representing our commitment to environmental responsibility and community health.
CLT Building Benefits:
Environmental Impact: Carbon-neutral construction that stores carbon rather than producing it
Community Health: Natural materials create healthier indoor air quality for workers and visitors
Economic Efficiency: Faster construction timeline and excellent insulation reduce long-term costs
Architectural Beauty: Exposed wood creates warm, welcoming spaces that reflect community values
Durability: Built to last for generations, ensuring long-term community asset
Designed by Community, For Community
Every design decision reflects input from descendants of Nort Portland, local business owners, community members, and local organizations. This building doesn't just house North Portland businesses—it reflects North Portland’s values, creativity, and vision for the future.
Building More Than Businesses - Building Economic Ecosystem
Economic Circulation: Locally-owned businesses are more likely to hire from the community, bank locally, and support other North Portland businesses, keeping wealth circulating within the community.
Job Creation: 26,000 square feet of commercial space will create dozens of direct jobs and hundreds of indirect economic opportunities.
Community Anchoring: Successful businesses become community institutions that provide services, sponsor events, and invest in neighborhood improvements.
Generational Wealth: Business ownership creates assets that can be passed down, building family wealth over time.
Who We're Looking For - The Full Spectrum of Business
Retail & Food Service
Restaurants & Cafes serving soulful flavors, and innovative fusion
Retail Shops for clothing, books, art, beauty products, and cultural items
Personal Services like barbershops, beauty salons, wellness services, and repair shops
Professional Services
Tech Startups and digital agencies serving local and regional markets
Consulting Firms offering business, financial, legal, and professional services
Healthcare Providers including mental health services, alternative medicine, and community health
Community Organizations
Nonprofits serving education, health, housing, and community development
Cultural Organizations preserving and celebrating Black arts, history, and traditions
Advocacy Groups working on social justice, policy change, and community empowerment
Creative & Cultural Businesses
Media Companies producing podcasts, video content, and publications
Art Studios and galleries showcasing Black artists and cultural expression
Event Planning and entertainment businesses serving community celebrations
Ready to Join the Hub?
We prioritize businesses that strengthen community. Your vision matters to us. Priority given to North Portland-owned businesses and community-serving organizations.
What We're Looking For
Businesses and organizations that:
Have strong community connections
Provide goods, services, or employment opportunities that benefit the community
Align with values of community empowerment, cultural celebration, and economic justice
Demonstrate commitment to long-term community presence and investment
Support the broader ecosystem of North Portland’s business and community development
Timeline: Business Hub opening in 2028
Direct Contact Options:
Business Development: contact@WilliamsRussellcdc.org