Commentary

Downtown, a beacon of tradition

Written December 11th, 2016 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 2 responses.

It was nice last week to see that the crew building the Albany Carousel had observed the ancient custom of “topping out.” When they had finished framing the roof, they crowned the peak in a fashion fitting the season.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany Carousel, Christmas tree, Gerding Buildings, topping out ceremony

The new ‘Old Book House’: It’s done

Written December 9th, 2016 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 6 responses.

It’s taken most of the year, but the transformation of a formerly crumbling old house in Albany’s Willamette Neighborhood is now complete. I’ve followed the story from the start, and if you’re interested in private initiative curing spots of urban blight, you should be more than pleased with the result.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: 1405 Front Ave NE, Lola Skelton, old book house, Sean Sullivan, Superior Carpentry and Homebuilding

Finally, a new Albany pot ordinance!

Written December 8th, 2016 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 9 responses.

Just before 1 this morning, after a marathon session that the mayor said was the second-longest of her tenure, the Albany City Council passed an ordinance that allows existing medical dispensaries to seek state licenses as recreational marijuana retail stores.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany council and pot, Albany recreational marijuana

Students offer daring downtown designs

Written December 7th, 2016 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 12 responses.

Architecturally speaking, downtown Albany would be a more exciting place if there was a way to carry out any of several redevelopment designs worked up by students at the University of Oregon.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany-UO partnership, post office, St. Francis, Sustainable Cities Year, Water Avenue

Let Albany prevent tow extortion

Written December 6th, 2016 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 9 responses.

If tow companies occasionally commit an outrage against Albany vehicle owners, the city council ought to try to stop them. Mayor Sharon Konopa told the council about one such outrage and, with the view toward preventing others like it, asked the police department for a report on what the city’s options are regarding the unauthorized removal of […]

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany car towing, car towing, Car towing law

Albany pot: Looking for ‘reasonable’

Written December 5th, 2016 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 12 responses.

Albany’s city charter requires four votes on the city council for any action. Twice now, the second time on Monday, Councilman Dick Olsen has made himself scarce, preventing the enactment of severe restrictions on the possible location of recreational marijuana businesses, limits that he opposes. The deadlock may continue until the council finds a reasonable way out.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany City Council, recreational marijuana

Back-in parking: Start practicing

Written December 5th, 2016 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 16 responses.

Albany drivers might want to start practicing how to back into a diagonal parking space on their left without hitting the vehicles on either side. If they plan on parking on the street outside the post office, they’ll need that skill starting some time next year.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: diagonal parking, post office streets