The city of Albany’s urban renewal agency is buying a building within its district without saying publicly which one. But it’s not the Eagles club at Broadalbin Street and Water Avenue, which is no longer for sale.
Proposed: Another food franchise on 14th
Written June 23rd, 2019 by Hasso Hering
As if Albany needed more fast-food restaurant franchises, it may get another one on 14th Avenue S.E., on the south side of Heritage Mall.
Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany fast food, Chipotle, drive-through restaurant, drive-up restaurant, planning division
Tags: Albany fast food, Chipotle, drive-through restaurant, drive-up restaurant, planning division
On the downtown beat: 1st to move from First
Written June 22nd, 2019 by Hasso Hering
There’s a development in what started years ago as the “cheese grater” story, but it has nothing to do with the big aluminum front that hides the facade of one of the oldest buildings in downtown Albany.
Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: 1st Hand Seconds, cheese grater, Colleen Anderson, downtown Albany, Mercy House
Tags: 1st Hand Seconds, cheese grater, Colleen Anderson, downtown Albany, Mercy House
Garden center: New store in same place
Written June 21st, 2019 by Hasso Hering
On the local business beat, one bit of news is that North Albany was not without a garden center for long. J&B Garden Center has been in business for 10 days, having opened only a few weeks after Tom’s Garden Center closed so the owners could retire.
Senate walkout: It’s not about climate
Written June 20th, 2019 by Hasso Hering
It’s worth taking another look at the size of the increase in the Oregon cost of living that Republican senators are trying to prevent by blocking final action on HB 2020.
On Wells Fargo site, city goes for big potential
Written June 19th, 2019 by Hasso Hering
A team that includes the owners of the Sybaris restaurant and the builder of Albany’s police and fire stations will get the chance to make plans for redeveloping the former Wells Fargo property into something they promise will be an impressive addition to downtown.
Posted in: Uncategorized
Before and after on the Simpson Park Trail
Written June 18th, 2019 by Hasso Hering
There’s no way that Albany’s small crew of parks maintenance workers can keep up with the messy habits of part of our population. So now and then we come across scenes like this, seen Saturday on a little-used branch of the Simpson Park Trail.
Posted in: Commentary
Plan for apartments will have public hearing
Written June 17th, 2019 by Hasso Hering
While the Albany city planning staff has approved the site plan for The Banks, a 105-unit apartment complex on the Willamette River east of Bowman Park, it’s the planning commission that will decide the case after a public hearing.
Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany Planning Commission, Bowman Park, Geary Street, riverside apartments, The Banks
Tags: Albany Planning Commission, Bowman Park, Geary Street, riverside apartments, The Banks
An Albany historic house, all boarded up
Written June 17th, 2019 by Hasso Hering
Plywood on the doors and windows is not what you expect to see on one of the stately old houses in Albany’s Monteith Historic District. Which is why the boards caught my attention as I was riding past 637 Fifth Ave. S.W. in recent days.
Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: 637 Fifth Ave. S.W., Albany historic houses, derelict houses, Monteith Historic District
Tags: 637 Fifth Ave. S.W., Albany historic houses, derelict houses, Monteith Historic District
Findings back demolition of three houses
Three old houses in Albany’s Monteith Historic District, condemned by the city and boarded up, are too far gone to be economically restored and should be allowed to be razed. Essentially that’s the conclusion of 18 pages of “findings” the city council is expected to adopt when it meets on Wednesday.
Tags: demolition, Fourth and Calapooia, Mark and Tina Siegner, Monteith Historic District