The construction site at Fourth and Calapooia on Thursday afternoon after the first framing went up.
There’s something new to see at the northeast corner of Fourth Avenue and Calapooia Street in Albany: vertical construction.
The framing has started going up on Calapooia Commons, the mixed-use housing and commercial project planned on the former site of what had been three very old and neglected houses.
The plans call for construction of two buildings, of three stories each, with commercial space on the bottom and apartments on floors 2 and 3.
The original plans were for a total of eight apartments. But the city building permits say Building 1 has “5 units” and Building 2 has “5 res units.” When I can reach Mark Siegner, the builder, I’ll ask for an update on the number of apartments he’ll put in.
I last wrote about this project when the foundations were poured more than a year ago.
To refresh your memory, here’s a snippet from that story in September 2023:
“In the making since 2018 and located in the Monteith Historic District, the project generated opposition among advocates of historic preservation because it replaces three historic but severely dilapidated houses. Before they were eventually demolished, the city had condemned the houses as dangerous and uninhabitable.”
Now the neighbors — and passersby like me — can watch as something new and useful is being built. ((hh)
These units will be a nice addition – housing plus commercial. Perhaps a small neighborhood convenience store?
Mark and Tina have been abused to no end with this property, as I was going to the Post Office yesterday I saw the work and stopped for a moment to say Hi. I am glad to see positive things happening after all the outrageous claims made by their opposition.
Agreed!
I agree with Rich. We Councilors at the time when they first approached us knew they would build something that would fit in the neighborhood. I am so glad they are finally over the many hurdles they had to endure