No luck for the Thurston Street canal, at least not yet.
Albany’s urban renewal program intends to call a public meeting to gather comments on which public “infrastructure” projects to pursue, but for now the idea of an improved Thurston Street canal is off the list of suggested options.
The CARA renewal district intends to spend upwards of $3.1 million on public infrastructure projects over the next two years or so. On Tuesday the CARA advisory board narrowed the list of suggested projects to upgrading the “streetscape” of Water Avenue, Main Street, Second Avenue and the Dave Clark riverfront path. Dropped off the list were the idea of “Albany Square,” a public space downtown, and making the Thurston Street canal nicer with a walkway and perhaps more landscaping. (Turning the ditch there back into a canal had first been mentioned in a 1995 downtown renewal study named CALUTS.)
On March 19 the CARA board will decide on an agenda — and presumably the date — for the gathering of public comments. The idea of spending the $3 million toward a new police headquarters and downtown fire station, advocated by critics of the CARA program, got no mention from the advisory board Tuesday.
The Borden Building “tower” as seen from the Dave Clark path.
Also Tuesday, the CARA board approved a request by John Boock for a $4,500 grant to cover half the cost of repairing and painting the exterior of the Borden Building “tower” on the Willamette riverfront. Another part of the building houses the Deluxe Brewing Co., and Boock said the cosmetic upgrade of the tower would help in reviving the area.
The board turned down at least for now a request by Michael D. Allen for $5,000 toward the estimated cost of $11,500 to fix up his building at 433 Third Ave. S.E., the home of Allen & Associates Insurance Inc. Board members said they’d like to see more than one bid for the project and suggested he renew his request.
A potential bigger renewal project came up unexpectedly Tuesday. Developer Scott Lepman asked if CARA would consider, on March 19, a request for a grant or forgivable loan to help him buy and restore the former Fortmiller Funeral Home at 420 Third Ave. S.W. Board members said yes, they would consider it.
Scott Lepman makes a point to the CARA board.
The building, dating from 1930 and much changed since, is adjacent to the Carnegie Library and is in foreclosure, with an auction scheduled in April. Lepman said the building suffers from “incurable functional obsolescence” and can’t be renovated economically without some help. He and his brother, Spencer, who previously created Jefferson Lofts from a dilapidated warehouse, would turn it into nine apartments and two offices.
They haven’t yet determined how much they would seek in CARA aid, but they wanted to know if the agency would even consider it. If they pursue the project they will present a detailed plan on March 19. (hh)
This construction date of the building at 420 Third Ave. S.W has been corrected in this version of the story. (hh)
Greg Burbach sent this reaction via email: “I took a walk all thru downtown this afternoon. I finished up my walk by going by the Borden Building, the place where they are getting money from CARA to help pay for a mural on the tower. My comment: are you kidding me? This is like pouring money down a rat hole. I do not understand how this will be any benefit to the revitalization of downtown Albany.”
Just to be clear, there was no mention of a “mural.” The project is to repair the tower’s exterior including the window, and paint the structure. The owner, John Boock, says he has spent lots of money on the building and will spend plenty more. The idea of fixing up the tower now, as I understood it, that it will help attract customers to the tenant, the Deluxe Brewing Co., and this in turn would attract more businesses to the riverfront, which is a CARA goal. (hh)