Here’s a nice unobstructed block of Vine Street on the west side of the canal between Ninth and 10th avenues.
Some day in the future, people may be able to walk, ride or even drive along both sides of the Santiam Canal between Fourth Avenue and 12th in Albany. Now they can’t because five segments of the right of way of Vine Street, which flanks the canal on both sides, are blocked.
Those sections have been obstructed for decades as neighboring property owners made use of what must have looked like unused open space right up to the fence along the canal itself. The obstructions range from landscaping to stored vehicles and at least one outbuilding.
Even though a map of property lines clearly shows where private lots end and the right of way begins, the city of Albany did not assert its right to use Vine Street on both sides of the canal for at least the last 45 years that I know of — until now, that is.
At the direction of the city council, city engineers sent letters to nine property owners. Dated April 15, the letters were headed: “Notice to remove property from city right of way.”
According to the letter, the city hired a surveyor to confirm the right of way boundaries. Officials expect this work to be complete by May 15.
“The encroachments will need to be removed at your expense by the end of September 2022.” Then, the letter says, “The city may construct a gravel or paved road surface in the public ROW.”
One of the letters went to Greater Albany Public Schools. The paved driveway and parking lot at the district administration building, at 718 Seventh Ave. S.W., runs up against the canal.
One obstructed block of the Vine Street right of way, in front of the water treatment plant and powerhouse between Third and Fourth, is not affected.
Public Works Director Chris Bailey told me no changes are planned to the fencing that was put up in 2011 to keep the public out. “We need to keep the water treatment plant secure and the previous setup created security risks we felt were not sustainable,” she wrote.
As for the rest of the street along the canal, I stopped on one block there Tuesday and talked a little about what might have been: (hh)
YAY!!! Pedestrian and bike paths! Work with the remaining property owners to make it the wonderful amenity it could be.
C’mon Chris, there are certainly other people-friendly, even architecturally esthetic ways, the power plant/canal can be protected.
Council, spend the money. Get it done. It’s a jewel wanting to be polished.
This is interesting. City government allowed squatters for at least 45 years.
And now wants to treat them as criminals who are trespassing?
And the prison-style fence stays up?
And an ugly gravel or paved narrow road is planned?
Not exactly a “jewel” in the city’s crown. More like a polished turd and a public relations nightmare.
Just save face and charge the squatters a nominal rent and be done with this embarrassing situation as quickly and painlessly as possible.
If my memory services me correctly, I have a memory of the property on the vine east side nearest 12th being deeded to a guy named Sam, he worked for ADH, he owned the adjoining property, who bought it from the city for a dollar. I had a conversation with him about it at the time.
Side note: the property had previously been owned by another ADH alum.
Hi Rick,
I currently own Sam’s old house! Our backyard fencing configuration currently includes the entirety of the Vine St. right-of-way. We were under the impression when we bought it that the entire space was ours. Hence, the letter from the city to remove our fence came as a shock. Do you have any more information on Sam’s purchasing of that parcel of land from city/county? I have also heard from a neighbor that he had bought it long ago, but can’t seem find any documentation on it. Would love to talk more with you about it.
Best,
DW
From another former DH staffer: Sam Suklis bought the house directly from Wally Eakin, reportedly for $1. The Eakins and Suklises remained close friends for the rest of their lives.
Sam was a skilled woodworker. Examples should still be throughout the house.
Hi, Marilyn,
Thank you for supplying some additional background information. We’re fascinated by the history of our home, and glad to learn as much as we can. Yes, evidence of Sam’s woodworking prowess is present throughout the house. The garage is still full of old wood stock left over from previous projects. I now utilize his sturdy old workbenches for my home projects.
And I love that the house has a journalist’s history. I suppose I am carrying that on as well. I began my career as a journalist and now teach English lit. and composition at LBCC and OSU.
Sam would have obtained the vine property a number of years after the initial purchase of the property. At least a couple of his children still live in Oregon. (Try Salem area)