Going north on Vine Street, you can’t continue past Seventh Avenue.
The city map of Albany tax lots shows a continuous line of public right of way on both sides of the Santiam Canal from Third Avenue to 12th. But that’s not what you see on the ground.
The right of way is that of Vine Street. But on several blocks, the street was never developed and the right of way has been blocked for years. Neighboring properties made use of the unused space for parking, storage, and even a building or two. Now the council will have to decide what if anything it wants to do about these encroachments.
The issue came up last December, when owners at 636 Sixth Avenue, adjacent to the east bank of the canal, wanted to put up a gate to protect their belongings. The city staff proposed giving them a license to occupy the public space. But during a work session on Dec. 13Â the council objected. Some members wanted no permanent structures — such as a concrete footing for a gate post — in the public right of way.
Nothing has changed on the ground in the three months since. Last week, Councilwoman Stacey Bartholomew noted that the right of way was still occupied, and she asked about it. That’s when Public Works Director Chris Bailey said she would present a report on the situation at the council’s work session on March 21.
One section of the Vine Street right of way has been blocked not by private parties but by the city itself.
That happened in 2011, when the city fenced off the paved street and sidewalk outside the Vine Street water treatment plant, between Third and Fourth avenues.
I complained about it at the time in an editorial in the Democrat-Herald: “The handsome brick water plant used to be a highlight on walking tours of downtown Albany. Now it is guarded by a fence and threatening signs as though it is a military depot of great interest to terrorists or spies.”
The council might want to take a look at that block too. If it’s truly necessary to bar the public there, the city should vacate that side of the street. And if it’s no longer necessary, let that block be opened up. (hh)
The city has barred public access to Vine Street in front of the water treatment plant since 2011.
No one including the city should block vine street on either side.let the street go free!
I remember my disappointment when that street by the water treatment plant was fenced off. It was one of my favorite places to walk by on my way to River Rhythms concerts. I suppose it was because of 9-11.