Monteith Riverpark was fenced Monday. It will remain closed much of the the year so it can be renovated or rebuilt.
A fence went up along the perimeter of Albany’s Monteith Riverpark Monday so construction can start on rebuilding the park. The work may last until the end of November.
This is, of course, part of the Albany urban renewal district’s much-discussed Waterfront Project.
K&E Excavating, of Salem, is the CARA district’s construction manager and general contractor. For this part of the project, including work on the park and the Dave Clark Riverfront Path, the company has a contract for just under $8.4 million.
The company will also do work on several blocks at the western end of Water Avenue, for but that the city council, as the Albany Revitalization Agency, will award it a separate contract.
CARA has budgeted $15 million for the Waterfront Project. The city’s public works department budgeted an extra $1.2 million for a water line under Water Avenue, also to be done this year.
The park renovation calls for replacing the stage built in 1988. Also planned are a new playground and a children’s splash pad, as well as other enhancements.
As the park will be closed, the parks department plans to move this summer’s concerts to a temporary stage at Timber Linn Memorial Park on the east side of town. A kind of natural amphitheater was built up there many years ago for such occasions.
Meanwhile at Monteith, the Community Center will remain open, with parking moved to the city-owned lot east of the building. A city crew last week laid down asphalt to improve the rail crossing into the lot.
The crew also improved the lot’s surface closest to the building and added a ramp to the sidewalk. That part of the lot will be designated for parking by “low-mobility patrons” and by Meals on Wheels volunteers.
The city plans a public open house (presumably about the riverfront project) at the Community Center later this spring. The date will be announced when it’s firmed up. (hh)
“CARA has budgeted 15 million for the Waterfront Project.” Isn’t that a little hard to type, Hasso? It is hard to read. I will keep checking this story to see what the “wise ‘you-know-what’ on the hill” has to say. (I hope some of you read the newspaper comic “Pearls Before Swine.” If so, you will know about the little donkey on the hill.) Anyway, my personal nemesis’, who loves to exclaim, Hogwash, last name begins with a “K,” which rhymes with Ray.
(YAWN)
I think Ray K. and the Council think the thinning of the trees in Monteith Park area and the adding of the splash pad will keep the homeless away from the park. I don’t think so. If I were homeless, I would just do the best I could, and that would include checking out the parks. Also, if I were homeless, I would wash my feet, face, hands, forearms in the splash pad water.
While on the subject, a homeless me would not try to use the bathroom at The Community Center. I don’t think they would let me in. Besides, I doubt the Community Center will survive having its front entrance and parking closed for months while the park construction/destruction is underway.
Blah, blah, blah.
Quit being a hater of everything Albany and be a constructive voice.
I will NOT hold my breath waiting for that to happen.
Wonderful! I’ll go there and enjoy the park. Hope the kids have lots of fun at the splash pool.