A fourplex is planned on this corner lot at Hill Street and Water Avenue, across from Calapooia Brewery. (Photo from October 2024)
There’s a lot near the Albany riverfront that has been the subject of stories here before. For years it was occupied by an old garage and warehouse, which was demolished in 2023.
On the last day of 2024, the Albany Community Development Department approved a site plan for a fourplex on the property. And on Wednesday, builder Joel Dahl filed for a building permit.
A few years ago the lot’s owner floated the idea of turning the property into a market with many separate stalls, but nothing came of it. One of the difficulties would have been the lack of improved off-street parking.
Parking would have been available on a vacant lot of about an acre kitty-corner across the intersection. But construction of curbs and gutters in connection with the Edgewater Village development made the lot inaccessible.
The City of Albany acquired that lot from the BSNF Railroad in 2013 as part of negotiations for a new franchise for the Water Avenue rail line.
On Monday, the city council will be asked whether it wants to declare the former BSNF lot surplus. If it does that, the council then could decide to sell the land or make it available for a potential subsidized housing project.
A few years ago the developer of Edgewater Village offered to buy the lot, but the council at the time didn’t act on that option.
Now, it looks like change is coming on opposite sides of the corner of Water and Hill. (hh)
The council will be asked to consider what to do about this lot on the northwest corner of Hill Street and Water Avenue. Edgewater Village is in the background.
Good grief, not again! This is so short-sighted. We do not need to pave over every inch of Albany and mostly over our public owned land. We’ve had more housing growth than our infrastructure can handle. This vacant lot is needed for current and future parking and mostly for the surrounding businesses. If we want residents to walk along our waterfront then we need to retain our lots for public parking. The majority of Albany do not live close by to just walk from their homes to stroll along our waterfront, we have to drive and park. If you pave over every inch of downtown and lose surface parking, then the waterfront will only be accessible to the residents in the surrounding neighborhood. Selling off this lot only benefits the purchaser and Albany residents will be on the losing end. Thank you Hasso, I appreciate your updates!
The majority of Albany doesn’t even visit the waterfront and yet they have been burdened with the astronomical cost of the Waterfront “Project”. The money would have been better spent on “revitalizing” our infrastructure.
Said by you previously-
https://hh-today.com/infrastructure-bonanza-what-about-streets/
” Sharon Konopa says:
November 19, 2021 at 2:32 pm
Gordon you seem to have forgot about the funds we received through Obama’s stimulus program. That was a program that was for capital improvements. Albany did quite well! We had some street funds that reconstructed Waverly and around the mall. We received a grant to replace lighting to save on energy costs and the big ticket item was Talking Water Gardens! I would say that was a successful stimulus program that supported capital projects that lasted for years….”
Didn’t CARA happen on your watch?
The waterfront project would not have qualified for stimulus funds.
Yes I proudly supported CARA, but there were many projects I was not fully in support, which is normal with any process. And the final decision for the waterfront project was decided on after my time. Now how can anyone not support having a splash pad and playground for kids! Those two pieces I am very pleased were accomplished.
$21,000,000+ is pretty expensive for a splash pad and playground. Especially while our infrastructure continues to crumble away.
No one is parking clear down there to stroll the river front.
I bet they would if there was a paved parking lot!
Well. from an actual user, you’re wrong. Most wouldn’t even realize it existed or was available. It’s not near downtown
i am in total agreeance with you Sharon.
we must maintain parking
The majority of Albany doesn’t even visit the waterfront and yet they have been burdened with the astronomical cost of the Waterfront “Project”. The money would have been better spent on “revitalizing” our infrastructure.
I wonder why the area between the river and the high bank is such a wilderness. The city does not even try to make it a better place, so it’s a dangerous place, full of tweekers and Fentanyl addicts. I can’t see why LBCC botany students could not design an amazing place there along the river for free… and extend disk golfing through the Greenway – making Albany a better place.
Ms. Konopa, It’s plain and simple. The park, splash pad and a parking lot projects did not and will not improve Albany in any way for the bulk of the residents living here. Albany is in desperate need of street infrastructure repair for everyone’s benefit.
This is just a waste of money and investment like adding more coffee shops and subways.
This blog’s comment section really has cornered the market on older male keyboard jockeys that may or may not actually live in Albany.