Looking across Periwinkle Creek at the grassy field where a developer is planning to build three apartment buildings totaling 107 units. Geary Street is on the right, the Periwinkle Bikepath on the left.
The southeast corner of Geary Street and Queen Avenue in Albany will look different and busier when a developer goes through with plans for three apartment buildings there.
The Albany community development director, Matthew Ruettgers, has just approved a site plan for the 107-unit apartment project planned by Paradigm Properties of Eugene. The decision becomes final unless appealed by the Aug. 5 deadline.
The site is just north of another apartment complex, The Park. South of Queen, it is bordered by Geary Street on one side and Periwinkle Creek on the other.
Neighboring property owners within 1,000 feet were notified of the site plan review. One couple, Bill and Darlene Rompa, submitted written objections. They said among other things the site has become a wildlife area and should be turned into a park dedicated to the young mother and infant who drowned in Perwinkle Creek during the flood of January 2012.
They suggested that the long-vacant former Mega Foods supermarket across Perwinkle Creek should be demolished as that would be a better place for apartments.
The city’s response to those suggestions was that these were private properties and the city can’t decide what to do with them.
The plan for apartments shows 79 one-bedroom units and 28 units with two bedrooms each, along with 153 parking spaces.
The site plan was approved, with a number of routine conditions, because it meets the review criteria in the development code and the site is zoned for medium residential use, which allows for apartments.
One of the conditions is that an existing driveway on Geary Street be closed and two new ones be built. The one closest to Queen Avenue must allow for only right-hand turns in and out. (hh)
If the city “wanted” to stop it, all they need to do is get the lot re-zoned. Everyone knows THAT won’t happen. The city just wants more money. What do the citizens get for all this expansion? More traffic? Longer lines at shopping centers? More crime? More trash? More graffiti? We’re definitely not seeing any improvements with our roads or infrastructure.
Not the worst idea. People have to get used to higher density housing. Unless the older generations want to all head to assisted living facilities, there are very few places for the next generation to move into. I have 3 kids who will be looking for housing locally here starting 3-4 years from now.
Agreed, more housing is also needed to help drive down the ridiculously high cost of rent caused in part by the shortage of available housing. I, too, have children who will need affordable housing in a few years in addition to my two children who are already paying ridiculous amounts right now.
Let’s make these affordable, not 1,300 for a one bedroom? this “low income” is getting bullshit.
Dear Anon:
I really like reading the comments that HH elicits. But it would really be helpful if you could focus a bit on grammar, punctuation, syntax. I truly want to know what you are trying to say. Sincerely.
This is really disheartening that you choose to criticize Anon about their communication style. They do not have to live up to your standards to be validated. The comment is clear.
Take space to research and engage civilly, creating good. Your comment is only destracting and oppressive not helpful.
Anon, I fully agree. $1300 is not affordable. The system is very inequitable, only benefiting the wealthy land owners and keeping renters dependent on the system. I hope our city/county mimics the progression of housing equity and equality that others have successfully formed!!
Sorry you were offended.
So what is affordable? How small of a place are you willing to have at that cost?
The average cost to build a an apartment is $64k to $86k per unit. (site: https://spendonhome.com/cost-build-apartment/ ) Multiply by 107 units and you’re at $7 million give or take for the low end. I assume that is a bit low for this project but anywhere close to that is going to take a long time for the investment to balance for the developer.
And therein lies the problem. People get upset at the loss of ‘affordable housing’, but everyone wants ‘new’ and new ain’t cheap. Especially right now…building materials are expensive. Labor is expensive. And taxes and fees and licenses and putting in utilities and landscaping and all the rest of that crap. Folks that are charging $1300 for a new 1-bdrm…they aren’t putting that in their pocket; a big portion of that goes back to the bank in principal and interest. And as a ‘landlord’ you have to put a certain amount aside for potential repairs, and you have to pay real estate taxes, insurance and other assorted overhead. Of that $1300…you might actually pocket around 7% ($91.00).
107 apartments, 153 parking spaces. Forty plus years ago when folks only had one vehicle, this would have been considered extremely generous parking, but today…when most households have two vehicles…where are folks going to park?
agree!!!
I’ll share a developer I’ve been tracking since pre-pandemic days. Still considering investing in projects, but I’d prefer them to be in Linn County. Maybe, we can attract sustainable development projects in the mid-valley?
Check out what’s possible with private money.
http://guerrilladev.co/
Happy summer,
Scott
It would be nice to see some affordable apartments finally be put in. Affordable where those who are on SSI and SSDI can actually afford to live in. Maybe then society will see the homeless population getting lower because there are affordable apartments now. I am sure that is only a dream in a non-existent reality anymore.
I agree ssi & ssdi recipients can’t afford to live anywhere anymore not only is rent outrageously high but then they want u to make 3x more than that a month then high deposits people on ssi makes $841 per month where can they live for that simple answer they can’t