The front of 333 First Ave. N.W., built in 1875 and now undergoing an extensive restoration and remodeling.
A while back someone asked my why there was a giant tarp shrouding the front of a building in the 300 block of Albany’s N.W. First Avenue. The shroud was gone when I stopped the bike there Sunday, and everyone now can see the remodeling going on.
This has been called the Briggs Building after one John Briggs, who built it in 1875. In the paperwork for Landmarks Commission approval of the remodeling project in May 2023, the building was said to be the oldest wood-framed commercial structure still standing in downtown Albany.
For much of the 20th century the address (333 First Ave. N.W) was that of a succession of photography studios, including Frank Fisher’s from 1942 until 1980.
Jim and Corina Abbott, of Albany, bought the building in 2022. The following year they got Landmarks approval for their plan to save the building from decay and add two apartments.
The building permit, approved this July, summarizes what is to be done: “Renovation of the front façade to restore the building’s original historical design, repairs to the foundation and structural components, removal of the non-historic rear addition, and construction of a rear addition that complements the historic structure.”
Knox Construction Inc., of Albany, is the contractor.
This is no small job. The building permit shows a valuation of $430,000, but the actual costs are higher.
In 2023, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department awarded the project $200,000 under its Main Street Grants Program, with the state grant to be “matched” with $556,325 from the building owners.
The Briggs Building grant was one of two the Albany Downtown Association received that year on behalf of downtown projects. The other, also $200,000, was for turning the 1930s Greyhound depot on Second Avenue into the Greyhound Tavern. The tavern project was accomplished, but the business has since closed. (hh)
The 2023 Landmarks application included this architect’s vision of the Briggs Building restoration.
The Greyhound Tavern has closed already? I remember all the big hoopla on social media over it. That didn’t last long.
The city put them out of business
Really? How?
So what happens to the 200k that the Greyhound got? It almost appears as if it was used to make a quick buck.
Not almost. Not even appears. Buck made.
Yeah, Hasso. Don’t drop a bomb about one of the downtown projects (The Greyhound building restoration) failing and then leave us hanging!!
I love that the 1875 Briggs Building is being restored.
Ever research where the money comes from originally. I heard it come from off shore oil leases but not sure that is same money.
Dala: What “money” are you referring to? What is “the money” that you speak of, that is? Sounds like social media conspiracy theories, unless you explain what you are implying.
Do I understand this right? The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has $200,000 to give away for a project that has nothing to do with Parks and Recreation, but at the same time it’s raising fees on several state parks because they need money.