Construction continues on the 54-unit development formerly known as Woodland Square.
If you’re wondering about the new name of the Albany housing development at Salem Avenue and Pine Street, you’ll have to wonder a while longer.
Innovative Housing Inc. of Portland is building the so-called “workforce housing” project, which replaces a run-down trailer park named Woodland Square. And it was under that name that the project went through a lengthy process of securing funding. Last month the company announced it was looking for a new name to avoid any connections with the site’s history, and it invited suggestions, which were to be submitted by Christmas.
I asked Julie Garver of Innovative Housing for an update. On Monday she replied: “Yes we did get quite a few name submissions! We are still in the selection process. We will let you know when we have a new name!”
The $10.6 million project will have 54 apartments and is being developed with the help of the Central Albany Revitalization Area, which contributed $1.45 million as part of its blight-fighting mission. Apartments will rent for $424 to $781 depending on size. Garver said in October that units in the first two buildings will be ready to occupy in February and those in the other three in May and June.
The site’s eastern boundary is Periwinkle Creek, but the developers hinted that there are enough Periwinkles among Albany place names, so this would not likely be considered. So what will it be called? The suspense mounts. (hh)
How about “Casa CARA”?
$10.6 million for 54 apartment units averages $196,296.00 / each unit. I presume that figure covers ALL development/building construction costs and amenities, including the land.
“Workforce” housing? $424 to $781 monthly rent for a nearly $200K brand new apartment? Does anyone else think something is sk(r)ewed here?. I do and I’d love to see the spreadsheet on this project and how it penciled out, and to whom.
Is this public information, given that public (CARA) funds are being used, in part?
Wow! I wish I could build a project with those numbers and make money. The rent for the new apartments on Oak and Hill is over $800 for a 1 BR, and well over $900 for a 2 BR. The project does not “pencil” without federal tax credits, but definitely looks better than the trailer park.
TIF Towers?
Casa de CARA?
Taxpayerland?
The Trough?
Taxpayer Terrace?
Welfare Woods?
Dear Shadle and Carrick, you’re on the right track with your comments, but let me add that to hold out hope that “government” can be made responsible is a fools errand. Government by its nature is irresponsible for the simple reason when you’re using “other people’s money” there is little or no incentive to spend wisely. One can’t even legitimately be angry with these so-called guardians of the public trust. It is the taxpayers who continue to pay into the system without protest that are the real culprits.
Dear Peggy,
With respect, you’re preaching to the choir. Unfortunately, pigs will fly before Lincoln’s ideal of a “….government of the people, by the people, for the people……” is fully realized.
Furthermore, surrendering all hope can only serve to hasten a descent toward corruption, chaos and tyranny, so I reject any notion of hope being a fool’s errand. Dogged pursuit of one’s goals is often more beneficial than their achievement. I prefer optimism despite the odds.
Dear James, I want to clarify your impression that I advocate giving up hope. That is incorrect. What I do say is that the more power and money government has access to, the more irresponsible it will be, and the less we have of said government the better off we as a society will be. I am in fact very optimistic that our direction can and will be turned, but it will have to be done by decreasing government’s power to take our hard earned money. Furthermore, please do not idolize Lincoln since he was one of the early perpetrators of unlimited government. See The Real Lincoln, authored by Tom DiLorenzo.
Sorry, fool’s errand.