This lot at 503 Ninth Ave. SE, shown Saturday, is one of three surplus lots the city council has not sold.
Last July the Albany City Council rejected an offer of $125,000 for three blighted lots at the corner of Ninth Avenue and Jackson Street. The properties seem to have been forgotten since.
Neither the lots themselves nor the parking strip on the street, normally the responsibility of the property owner, has been mowed lately. Weeds up to shoulder height cover part of the corner lot at 503 Ninth.
The sign on the fence still says the property is for sale and invites bids by a date in June — last year.
The lots at issue are at 817 Jackson St. SE and 503 and 519 Ninth Ave. SE. On two of the lots, the city allowed homeless people to camp until that arrangement resulted in too many safety problems and was canceled in July 2024.
The lots, owned by the city since 1990, were declared surplus.
Last summer, Van Vleet Meat and Food Services submitted the highest of three bids for the properties at $125,000. Councilors Ramycia McGhee and Marilyn Smith voted to accept the offer, but Steph Newton, Carolyn McLeod, Chris Van Drimmelen and Michael Thomson voted “no.”
The council majority wanted at least $145,000, which an appraiser hired by the city said the vacant lots were worth.
Van Vleet wanted the city lots for parking so it could expand its business building, which is across Jackson Street.
Almost a year later, the lots still belong to the city. They are still zoned for industrial use. They are still off the tax rolls. And they are not being mowed. (hh)
Signs on the back fence stem from when this lot was a designated camping area for homeless people.
I don’t know what the city paid for these lots or simply took ownership.
1- we all know this is a rough neighborhood.
2- sell the lots and allow the lots to be cared for. It may actually begin to revive the area!
3- I don’t know how long Food Services has been around but I know. Van Fleet has been a staple of our community for decades. Let’s give something back.
Amazing! I can remember when rundown old homes were sold for $1 just to get them into private hands and onto the tax rolls.
If, as an owner of private property you don’t mow your property and it can be deemed a nuisance, fire hazard, etc,. the city can fine you. Is the city going to fine themselves for negligence of their property. Should have been sold to the highest bidder. Greed from the council members has once again won.
Wow that was quick. Thanks for checking up on the lots. I’m pretty sure if Van vleet would have got the bid they would be looking much better than they do now.
You’d think the councilors would be smart enough to start getting some tax dollars coming in. Look at all the money they blow elsewhere, the 20,000 they’re worried about is nothing. Now they’ve already lost another years tax revenue. It’s deemed surplus. Get rid of it to the highest bidder.
You have to love the inconsistencies with comments… On the one hand, council “blow[s] money,” and the other, “greed…has won.”
Funny you should comment after YOUR Cumberland Church waste (for ONE example and then YOUR voting for every utility fee increase in order to squeeze a few more $ out of “Franchise Fees” AKA SALES TAX.
HYPOCRISY at its finest.
My vote[s] have always been done with this in 100% mind: “What do I honestly believe will be in the best interest of the entire community (and not just an individual or constituency that may have a different opinion).” I only got a single vote – and I sure came out on the short-end of many of them. That’s how it’s supposed to work. Side note – there’s only 2 votes I would change my mind over the 12+ years I was involved. So, let’s all have a pity party for Bill who didn’t get his way…
Come on City of Albany you can and should do better! Clean these lots up, mow them and then get them back on the tax rolls!
Sell those lots and get them back on the tax rolls!!! Everyone who follows Hasso’s blog should post this sentence.