M artin L uther K ing J r .
January 13, 2016
2016 special edition
Page 25
Advertise with diversity in The Portland Observer
The Sons of Haiti Masonic Lodge on North Mississippi Avenue
needs your help to keep its doors open.
Call 503-288-0033 or email ads@portlandobserver.com
Answering Call to
Save Black Lodge
Supporters
organize
Thursday
fundraiser
The Sons of Haiti Masonic
Lodge on the corner of North
Mississippi and Fremont
Street, one of the last black-
owned corners of the area, is
getting some help from the
neighborhood to remain in
place and meet city regula-
tions that demand the proper-
ty stay compliant for land use
regulations or face steep fines.
The building made head-
lines last year when the city
levied the organization with
thousands of dollars in fines
for a variety of issues, most of
which were structural in na-
ture, specifically around their
food cart area. Local activists
and lodge members admitted
coming into compliance was
scarily out of their budget,
and wondered how they could
hold on to the little corner they
had left.
Thankfully,
the
Boise
Neighborhood
Association
and the Rebuilding Center,
next door, along with other
businesses, has stepped up to
help the lodge get up to speed,
and is helping organize what
they are calling “The Sons of
Haiti Food Cart Site Redevel-
opment Project,” which would
raise funds to make the prop-
erty compliant.
A fundraising event spon-
sored by the supporters will be
held on Thursday, Jan. 14 at 6
p.m. at the Rebuilding Cen-
ter, 3625 N. Mississippi Ave.
The public is invited to attend,
support, and learn how this
project will benefit Missis-
sippi Avenue and the Portland
community as a whole.
Complimentary provisions
will be provided by supporting
businesses including ¿Por Qué
No? Taqueria and Mississippi
Pizza Pub.
2016