The Portland & Western Railroad track runs past the boarded-up house at 329 Pine St. S.E.
So what’s new with the dwelling at 329 Pine St. S.E., which the City of Albany posted as a “derelict structure” two summers ago? That’s what I was wondering when I passed the place on a bike ride on June 28.
On Pine Street, there’s a short foot and bike path across the Portland & Western and Union Pacific tracks, and I use that shortcut now and then.
Right next to the Portland & Western track is the dilapidated structure that the city boarded up in August 2022 as unfit for habitation. The action gave the owner a deadline in September 2022 for making repairs, but evidently nothing was done, and eventually the city would have foreclosed on liens it placed on the property.
I asked Kris Schendel for an update last week. He is the senior code compliance officer with the Albany Police Department.
“A family member of the property owner was going to start fixing it up and getting the property habitable again; however, that seems to have not happened,” Schendel said via email. “Due to that, the property is starting down the foreclosure path again. This process takes time as other items move up and down the priority list. I believe this is the very next item on my case load to be foreclosed on, so I am hoping within the next month to start that process and get the issue finalized.”
Besides the house, the 3,600-square-foot lot contains a carport. A pickup was parked there when I went by, and the yard was overgrown with brush.
Schendel explained: “The car you see on the property is a neighbor’s and they park it there as a deterrent to any trespassers. Last year we ended up paying to take care of the yard, which will likely be the case this year as well.”
Linn County records available online show that the city at one time owned the lot and sold it in 1994 for $7,100. The buyer sold it the following year for $14,000. The dwelling dates from 1996.
The county assessor now says the lot is worth $110,000 and the “improvements” $19,580. The property is assessed for tax purposes at $41,990. Property taxes on it have not been paid for the last three years.
So what will happen to that place? I’ll keep an eye out as I pass that way in the months to come. (hh)
These photos of 329 Pine Street were taken when the bike took me across the tracks there on June 28.
You articles are interesting. You need to touch on the filth in this city, though. Around our school grounds. Throughout the city, the infrastructure that isn’t being taken care of. Report on that stuff. Not enough is being done with the taxes that we pay. Report on that.
It seems a shame to let the house be taken for that small amount of taxes and repair. It should be small enough amount for someone to help them keep their property. As a community, offering solutions for these situations should be part of helping the people that live here. Taking people’s property should not be an option without seeking help if they need repairs and tax relief. How much do we spend on the homeless and people who commit crimes? A responsible government does not victimize people who are vulnerable. It is not a crime to need help to keep your home.
Terry: you might check out the Serve Inc. website. This Saturday (July 13) people will be painting and landscaping at Periwinkle School. For over a decade the Serve Inc. volunteers have tackled one of our area’s schools. We can all (not just government) make a difference, and our neighbors are making a difference. Join in!
Kim Sass, it is very nice that you bring this subject Up. The citizens of Albany that pay taxes for their schools should not be required or expected to paint schools and clean up the school grounds. Again, we pay taxes to have that done. Take a look at West Albany liberty grade school Memorial Middle School school. Look at the grounds surrounding this facility, they are a disgrace to our school district. More thought should have went into the remodel.
What better place for another homeless tent village?
Soon to be city owned property because of zero property tax revenue?
Less than desirable neighborhood? Meaning: nearby people, probably non-voters, with limited resources who are likely to legally challenge the decision.
Right next to a railroad track?
Forgotten? Pshht. I expect Ray K and his cohorts on the city council to pounce on this opportunity….
I remember that place and passed by it many times running trains between the yards in Albany. It was occupied back then. We may even have parked for the time it took to get UP’s authority to cross their mainline, pondering the nature of that place, life, the universe and everything.
The helping hands shelter paid $225,000+ for the parking lot plus the drainage system cost. The expansion will cost way more for 30 beds. The 225,000+ could have saved at least 11 of these homes for the price of the repairs and taxes. Home retention means less homeless people forced into the system. The money saved by funding these homes would help people keep their homes and off the streets.