The southeast corner of the Wheelhouse on Tuesday afternoon. The Linn County Clerk’s Office will move to the building’s ground floor later this year.
If you have business with the Linn County clerk this fall, regarding either elections or records, you’ll have to go to the Wheelhouse Building on the Albany riverfront instead of the courthouse downtown.
Linn County bought the four-story office building on the Willamette River in 2023. If you want to catch up on that news, I reported on it here.
Some county employees already work in the building, but the ground floor is still being remodeled to accommodate the 10-member staff and equipment of the clerk’s office, including tons of ledgers containing property deeds and other records going back a century or more.
On Tuesday, the board of commissioners approved the purchase of furniture for the clerk’s office when it moves to the Wheelhouse. County spokesman Alex Paul said the total was for $82,074.54.
County Clerk Marcie Richey told me she expects the move to take place around the first of September. She’ll make the move, she said, to honor the memory of Steve Druckenmiller, the longtime Linn County clerk who died in September 2022.
For years there has been pressure to install security measures in the courthouse, but Druckenmiller resisted. He maintained that citizens should not have to face metal detectors or be required to empty their pockets when coming in to get a ballot or to vote.
With the clerk’s office out of the way, the court employees upstairs and others in the courthouse will have an easier time persuading the commissioners to order that security safeguards be installed.
Bike rides along the Dave Clark Park take me past the Wheelhouse all the time. So for me, checking something with the friendly staff of the Linn County clerk will be even easier than it has been for all these years. (hh)
It sure doesn’t look pedestrian friendly from what I can see on Google. How far from the nearest bus stop?
Maybe you were using Goggle instead of Google because using the latter I saw the bus stop on 1st between Railroad and Jackson which is one block away from the Clerk’s new home. Honestly it seems like a lot of work to be so grumpy all the time. I don’t know how you and the other half dozen curmudgeon regulars on here do it.
A block if you walk through PARR Lumber, which you can’t. No sidewalk once you get there.
What the hell do you have to offer other than ankle biting?
Why are you always in such a poor mood?
Maybe because I’m personally attacked for making a simple observation and posing a question? People too gutless to use their real name like you.
Why not you expound on how pedestrian friendly it is. You can’t without being a liar too.
1st street at PARR lumber would be the closest stop. 1.5 ish blocks away.
The history of the Wheelhouse is interesting.
CARA “invested” $750,000 of public money with thoughts of a property tax windfall enriching the Albany budget in future years.
Here we are about 15 years later and this beautiful building is pretty much off the tax roll and generating near zero tax revenue.
But Linn County will use the building for an essential purpose. Hooray for that.
The irony is that a portion of CARA’s $750,000 “investment” came from tax revenue siphoned AWAY from Linn County.
That partial payment is now being returned to the County in spades.
Thank you City of Albany, thank you.
Mr. Bill – time to get outside and smell the flowers! Flowers are free!
And not knowing a thing about me, your advice is ignorant AND stupid.
Please give complete address.
To Clerk Marcie Richie and the Entire Linn County Clerk’s Office Team,
Congratulations on your exciting move to the new Riverfront location!
This transition marks more than just a change of address—it’s a symbol of Linn County’s enduring commitment to public service, accessibility, and trust. The Clerk’s Office has long stood as a beacon of integrity and transparency, stewarding our democratic processes with diligence and honor. Under your leadership, Marcie, that tradition not only continues—it thrives.
As a resident and advocate for good governance, I’m proud to recognize the consistent professionalism and nonpartisan service that defines your work. Your office is the unsung backbone of local accountability, and this new chapter only reinforces that reputation.
Wishing you continued success in the new space—and my sincere thanks for the tireless work you all do on behalf of the people of Linn County.
I look forward to visiting this new location when the move is complete.
Please Keep The Ballot Drop Box at the Courthouse.
It’s Very Convenient with The Drive-Thru Stop !!!!
Is that the same Court House that has a NO BICYCLES sign next to the Bike Rack?