On Sunday, temporary concert fencing had been set up around Monteith Riverpark, with gaps at entrance points like here on the park’s east side.
The contractor building the “plaza street” part of Albany’s Waterfront Project still hopes to finish the first two blocks in time for the first of this summer’s “River Rhythms” concerts in Monteith Riverpark. That’s the word from City Hall.
On a bike ride Sunday, I could not help noticing that temporary chain link fencing had been set up around the park. I thought — mistakenly, as it turned out — this was in preparation for the summertime concert series on Thursday nights.
The first of the five concerts is scheduled for July 10. The city’s waterfront contractor, K&E Excavating, had planned to get the two-block section of the “plaza street” on Water Avenue between Washington and Broadalbin streets completed before the concerts begin.
I wondered if that was possible, considering how much work appeared still to be needed to complete the paving and related work.
“I checked and the contractor is still on schedule to finish the work ahead of the first concert,” City Engineer Staci Belcastro told me today.
Most of the concrete work, including curbs and a wide sidewalk, seems to be complete along the two blocks between Washington and Broadalbin streets.
What remains is the laying down of thousands of “Holland stone” brick pavers on the driving surface of the new street, along with landscaping of the strip between the street and the Portland & Western railroad track.
When these two blocks are complete, the contractor will work on the blocks between Broadalbin and the Lyon Street Bridge. The entire project is supposed to be completed before the end of this year.
As for why the fencing was set up more than two weeks before the first concert, Rick Barnett of the parks department explained:
“Originally the pride celebration was scheduled this last weekend. We planned the fence to be in place for that event. The event moved to July. The cost for fencing is based on a 2-month rate so it was no more expensive to bring it in early. The cost of the fencing for River Rhythms is $5,165 for the season.”
Which raises another question: Why does a “pride celebration” need a chain link fence? (hh)
A lot of work remained to finish the first block of the Water Avenue “plaza street.”
Looking east along Water Avenue from the Ferry Street intersection. This will be the second block of the three-block “plaza street.”
Probably because Albany/Linn County has and is conservative.
Yes, if Albany/Linn County were more liberal we could have had half a fence for twice the cost.
If the $5,165 fence is needed for the pride event, shouldn’t the event planners pay for this expense?
Will a special event permit be required by the city? A sound permit?
Also, I’m thinking a traffic camera or two should be in place on downtown streets.
This is a revenue opportunity for the city. It shouldn’t be wasted.
That $5,165 is for the entire River Rhythms season, not just for the Pride event.
““Originally the pride celebration was scheduled this last weekend. We planned the fence to be in place for that event. The event moved to July.”
Don’t ya really hate it when Portland Rioting gets in the way of your “celebration”? How much did this cost the taxpayers since Police etc. had to be rescheduled. How many City Enablers had their weekend ruined because of the rescheduling??? How much are you charging the “Priders”, or can ANYBODY have a celebration when they feel like it?
“…What remains is the laying down of thousands of “Holland stone” brick pavers on the driving surface of the new street….”. Doing a web search, these run around $2/ea. and take about 4-5 per sq.ft. depending on the exact model. Add LABOR by UNION “workers”….. and God probably doesn’t know the actual cost.
And the Mayor/City Council elitists can’t understand why we are resistant to their STREET FEES/ GAS TAX increases. Let them eat cake!
I would think that any “special group” whether it’s the Boy Scouts or Pride or a religious group would need to pay for the “extras” required for their event. Since the city is too broke to keep up our streets, we should not be indulging in parties that cost extra resources we don’t have. Am I wrong?
It is uplifting when the city spends its time making life miserable for us with their hands in our pockets to pay for all these “we love everyone” feel good celebrations. At least a real pick pocket has to get close enough to use their sleight of hand skills. The city sits in a nice office and in polite conversation they decide we can do without the money they take for fees or fines. While older people fear their water and electric will be shut off or the city will fine them for over grown grass. What happen to real community involvement instead of these expensive superficial political statements. It is nothing to be proud of.