These four windows on the second floor are to be replaced, necessitating a review by Landmarks.
Linn County plans to replace four nondescript windows overlooking the alley on the back of the Armory Building in Albany. For that, the county needs approval of the Albany Landmarks Commission.
The county applied to the city for “historic review” because the window replacement amounts to “exterior alterations and the use of substitute materials.”
The request will be the subject of a public hearing before the Landmarks Commission on Wednesday, Sept. 2. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall.
From the back of it, the Armory Building may not look particularly historic, but it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built for the Oregon National Guard in 1910. Now it houses county administrative offices.
Using its own crew, the county plans to replace four windows next spring, in this fiscal year, and the others on that side of the building in the summer, in fiscal 2027-28. Presumably that will call for another jump through the hoop of “historic review.”
Neither the window openings nor anything else on the building’s façade will be changed. The only thing different will be the window trim, made of “Boral TruExterior” instead of wood.
Google explains that TruExterior “is an innovative material made from a proprietary blend of polymers and coal combustion ash.” The material is supposed to deliver “the authentic look and workability of real wood without the typical risks of rotting, splitting, warping and moisture damage.”
From the outside, the existing windows all looked fine to me last week.
But Russ Williams, the county facilities director, explained:
“The first four window replacements have large air gaps between the frames and the glass. Some have tape covering the gap. The window frames are historic, but the glass is a single sheet insert and was not installed well.”
He added:
“The bigger theme is to prioritize high-maintain items to reduce the amount of labor hours it takes to maintain these components. Those south facing wood windows are exposed to high heat and moisture. They require us to paint them more often than the north side. The work requires a lift for safety, the paint has lead in it so it makes sanding and scrapping more difficult. There is wood rot, etc. We are switching to a compose matrix that will not rot, doesn’t absorb water.”
To an observer like me, that seems like an obviously sensible move without visible effect from the outside. It should not require an application for historic review, which entails work by the planning department to process the request, and then a public hearing attended by at least two paid city staff and up to seven volunteer members of a city board.
In the interest of streamlining routine maintenance like this, the city council might consider amending the requisite code. Routine projects could be reviewed and approved by city staff, and hearings required only if someone asks. (hh)
Remember, at some point, this is what Albanians wanted and voted for. The Landmarks Commission was created by the will of Albany citizenry. If the Commission’s actions aggravate certain constituencies, then let those same constituencies appeal to the citizenry to eliminate said Landmarks Commission. Until such time as the Commission either changes its rules or is eliminated in a DOGE-like purge, the rules and regulatory statutes governing said commission are in place and the Commissioners are duty bound to enforce the regulations in spite of public critique.
Albanians wanted and voted for this Commission? Clearly an exaggeration to make the Commission more legitimate than it actually is. Not a total lie, just a partial lie.
The Commission was dictated via an ordinance by the city council in 1985.
The Council declared this Commission a public necessity and a requirement to further the health, prosperity, safety, and welfare of the people.
Inquiring minds want to know – How does dictating what these four windows look like serve the health, prosperity, safety, and welfare of Albanians? Please be totally truthful….
I’m trying to remember. Oh, yes. It was the citizens of Albany who elected the City Council that enacted the legislation. One assumes that Albany voters preferred the candidates that held Council seats. Thus, when the Council enacted the legislation, it was a Council elected by a majority of Albanians. Like the Political Right always shoves in your face – “Elections have consequences.”
Hear! Hear!
The Albany Landmarks Comission….this the same group that Scott Lepman had to deal with on the hotel windows…please excuse me if i’m wrong…
Yes – as is any property owner inside the historic district…
And the same group Albany Christian School has to deal with.
Wow so many complainers about small details dont see big picture. Since nobody care about history anyway as it just old stuff and cost too much. Only fills antiques stores anyway, right? I know, let’s just level all of “historic” downtown and build up. Similar to, perhaps godforbid Portland, or worse, SEATTLE. OH, so sad now that Albany character gone. Perhaps if a commission created to manage, perhaps poorly, but there it is, the qualities that make town unique. Go live elsewhere if here so bad, and make room for families interested in being here. Ta da, problem solved for you and readers of Hasso paper.
It would be interesting to learn the average cost to the applicant of having something sent to the landmark commission. My best guess is 25 to 50k.
Most people forget, it’s a linn county building , and someone should have brokered a remedy of what the county is going to do, and they’ll do the right thing, it’s the commission that makes a big deal when and if the county has done their homework, formalities have to be done but this should be a slam dunk