Outside the historic Oregon Electric Railway depot on Nov. 21, 2024. Remodeling was well under way.
It was time to revisit the historic Oregon Electric Railway depot, an Albany landmark since 1912 now being remodeled as the new home of the Sybaris bistro and restaurant.
You last read about the building on this site in May, when the Albany Landmarks Commission approved a site plan for expanding the former depot to add space for a new kitchen and office, among other things
On a bike ride last week I caught up with Sybaris owner Matt Bennett and builder Matt Pyburn at the construction site, 133 Fifth Ave. S.E.
Pyburn is a co-owner of Pyburn & Sons, the firm founded by his grandfather. He’s in charge of the massive remodeling job and the addition on the building’s east side.
One major part of the remodeling is providing a safe access to the basement. The contractor dug a huge hole at the northeast corner of the building to make way for a concrete staircase enclosure.
Two city building permits put a value of more than $700,000 on the remodeling and new construction. Permit fees and other charges, including systems development fees, totaled more than $48,000.
The overall cost has been estimated at $2 million, including the $900,000 purchase price. Except for a $200,000 state historic preservation grant, the project is being privately financed. Last spring Bennett sought a grant of about $500,000 from the City of Albany but was turned down.
While Bennett and his wife, Janel, own the restaurant, the property is in the name of Monteith Square LLC, a real estate investment firm managed by Buzz Wheeler, the founder and former owner of the Coastal Farm retail chain.
At the moment, the remodel project is still in its early stages. The target date for being done, Bennett told me, is some time in the spring or summer of 2025. (hh)
Matt Bennett looks at the excavation that was necessary to install a stairway down to the basement.
The modern wooden floor has been removed to reveal the outline of the old railway ticket counter.
Matt Bennett and builder Matt Pyburn survey the tiles being stored while part of the roof is being rebuilt.
About time this jewel is owned by resource-full people.
However made a living from it for 3 decades.
And we miss you!
I love it Glenda, thanks, however I sitting pretty practising doing nothing. Getting better at it.
This project brings us a beautiful place that has needed renovation for so many years. Matt, grant,funding and investor are pulling it off! The tile on the roof is just amazing! This is grand!
Exciting!
I used to live across from it. You could often see old tracks along the curb on the street out in front (5th). It also looked like maybe the street is brick under the asphalt. My family grew up around McCook NE, where brick streets are still preserved. Pretty cool.
Thank you, Hasso, for informing the public on the status of this remodel. I have often wondered what was happening with this landmark building, and it sounds like Matt Bennett has great plans in store.
Shame be upon the City of Albany for turning down the Bennetts’ ask for a grant of $500,000! Many thanks to Matt and Janel, Pyburn’s and Buzz Wheeler for the hard work in making all of this happen! This historic building’s remodel will make it the showcase of downtown Albany!
I agree with the city turning down the grant, that money would have come from taxpayers, me included. It wouldn’t be fair to give taxpayers money to one single commercial entity. If it were planned to be a not for profit entity then it might have been different.
What should really should be looked at is the $48,000 in permit fees, the property is already developed, sdc’s on a property that’s been developed for many years, technically there’s no impact on infrastructure with the city, fees with the city is out of touch,(check out what the affordable housing task force has recommended, public hearing in December). Albany is known through the state s the inventor of FEE’S
Question for you, Hasso – regarding the street in front of the former train station. If there is brick under the pavement, can the pavement be removed to expose the old brick? Or, is there some type of historical grant to re-brick that area near the station? I am aware that several parts of the Lincoln Highway are brick – especially at Woodbine, Iowa. Thank you.