Portland OR is greener today thanks to Albina Community Bank. Albina made a loan to support the development of Mississippi Avenue Lofts in the Mississippi Historic District of the city. Targeted for LEED® Gold Certification from the US Green Building Council (USGBC,) Mississippi Avenue Lofts is a new sustainable 56,000 square foot 4-story mixed-use development featuring 32 live/work one, two-bedroom and penthouse lofts, secure parking and 5,900 square feet of ground floor commercial space. The project features access to retail stores, restaurants, and the local music scene.  A few tangible "green" benefits to the community include:

*  500 tons of material recycled during de-construction

*  350,000 pounds of 98% post consumer recycled rebar

*  180,000 pounds of 95% post consumer recycled structural steel fabricated regionally

*  100,000 board feet of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified timber from a local supplier.

Inside and out, every detail has been considered in this high performance building, from the state of the art energy sharing heating and cooling system, efficient use of space, to exposed timber beamed ceilings, polished concrete floors, and regionally produced 100% pre-consumer recycled SkyBlend particle board coarse in all cabinets and built-ins.

The development team of Mr. Peter Wilcox, Mr. Bill Jackson, and Mr. David Yoho has taken an unprecedented approach to incorporating new innovative sustainable technologies in the project; and their excitement is obvious when they talk about Mississippi Avenue Lofts and keeping Portland a leader in sustainable building.

Not only is the Mississippi Avenue Lofts good for the environment, its good for the community.  The project created affordable housing, jobs, and opportunities for regional and minority-owned businesses in the building trades.

It’s definitely not the cheapest way to build, but the team wouldn’t have it any other way. “It’s the only way to build if you have kids, grandkids, or love nature,” noted Mr. Wilcox, an architect and development partner in love with the diverse neighborhoods of North and Northeast Portland. An ex-Multnomah County Housing Director, Mr. Wilcox has committed 25 years and nearly 1,000 units of affordable housing to the city, including Albina’s mixed-use MLK Office. Albina has provided a means for Milcox to follow his own green heart.