I stopped at the Monteith Riverpark stage to check on the river level Sunday afternoon.
The Albany riverfront gets a little more interesting every time the water level rises, as it is doing now because of recent rains.
On Sunday I stopped my afternoon bike ride at Monteith Riverpark and made the following observations:
This is the first winter since the riverpark was rebuilt, a project that included a new stage for summer concerts.
On Sunday afternoon, as I mentioned on the video, the river level was still about two feet below the place on the stage where I was standing.
At that time the Willamette River was at about 18 feet on the Albany gauge. The National Weather Service forecast the river would crest at just above 22 feet by New Year’s Eve.
The only feature of the rebuilt park that was under water Sunday was a short section of “boardwalk” leading to the riverbank. (hh)
There’s a ‘boardwalk’ under there, between the railings on each side.
Thanks for the report!
All the money that was “sunk” into that project could have been way better planned to avoid winter flooding that is inevitable every year!
I get that change of natural water flow isn’t possible, but the stage/entertainment area could have been better thought out, and moved to higher ground.
Such a waste of our resources/money in my opinion!
Why is it wasted? They don’t do outdoor concerts in the dead of winter.
Thanks for the info Hasso, I haven’t been able to see the “new” park yet to have any sort of point of reference.
That guy sure spoke loads of HIS character as he passed you by! 35 years there hasn’t taught him anything about being a human being! Sheesh!
This underwater park could be used as a tool in the City Marketing campaign.
Welcome to Albany … nature’s water wonderland. Ideal for scuba divers looking for thrills. And don’t forget the Intermodal Transit Park up on the northern edge of town. Come see giant lifting cranes – inactive since their installation.
Albany – where stuff just works.
Hasso – great video – thanks for keeping us up to date on the new park in the winter!
The stage was built of concrete and was designed to withstand flooding from time to time. Flooding is to be expected when you build a structure in the floodplain. If you want a stage In Monteith Park, it needs to be able to withstand flood water.
Ms. M, Unfortunately, many of the long time residents have been pushed into second class citizenship by the influx of the new residents of the more expensive homes and apartments. The insult to injury by the city’s relentless pursuit of government aid for this stage etc. and expecting the working class to carry the burden is too heavy for them to bear. My in my line of work I speak with many people that are fed up with all of it and lashing out is their only option to defend themselves. Most of the people on this blog defend the city’s actions. The few minutes of his tirade are minor compared to the callousness and disrespect the city has inflicted upon the deemed unneeded residents of the city. Everyone one here that supports what the city is doing need to offer up their homes, businesses and quality of life to be sacrificed for the city’s projects instead of expecting it from the people who will never benefit from them.
With all due respect, this comment alludes to a City with a colossally horrible public relations problem and inherent policies and plans that sideline residents at nearly every turn. How is this possible? Are there no elections that remove offending politicians and bureaucrats from causing these harms? Where are the protests, petitions, civil actions? Is there literally such a divide of haves and have nots in this City that anyone should be required to give up what they have to those who don’t to make things right? Having only moved here not even two years ago, I am curious about this strange municipality I now inhabit.
A bit of unsolicited advice: Don’t rely too much on others’ opinions about where you live. Form your own based on your own experience.
While it is true that people should rely on their own experiences but ignoring the mistreatment of others directly affects the base of a community. Watch the city council meetings and you will see the response the city has to citizen’s concerns. If you are fortunate enough to have the means and clout to defend yourself, your experiences will be different than the ones that do not. This blog has been a valuable education for my children in terms of economic bias and the views of the entitled. Talk is cheap and so are lives.
Yes Chris J, “Talk is cheap…” So, other than vociferously whining and complaining in this blog, how often have you (face-to-face) literally engaged with your two city councilors to try and change policy or policies in the city? If you haven’t done so, why not? You have to garner 4 votes – period. It starts with your councilors, else you’re simply playing Don Quixote…
Hope the flooding doesn’t undermine the stage foundations..???!!!
Boy! I sure hope the water under those bridges that cross the river doesn’t undermine the piling foundations! I’m certain those plans have the seal of a registered professional engineer. It’s kind of their job to make sure of that.
I was flabbergasted when I heard that guy yell at you, not even once, but twice. Just because you publish a story does not mean you have anything to do with what goes on in this city. I now know what that guy looks like, and will watch for him. I’ve not seen this kind of confrontation before. I know you can take it, but know I’m sorry you had to go through this.
I was shocked too by the extremely rude behavior of that man. There is no excuse for such rudeness and discourtesy.
Mr. K, I totally agree with you that we are up against an unattainable 4 vote in our favor. Being Don Quixote is exactly what it is like expecting any kind of consideration from a city with project driven agendas no matter the cost to the everyday person. Every time you talk I can feel the rush of hot air blowing in my direction Mr. Windmill.
Inasmuch as you seem to be unwilling to get involved, I’m happy to oblige…