Albany downtown

E-bike store joins downtown scene

Written November 30th, 2023 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 5 responses.

On Tuesday this week I was riding my bicycle on First Avenue toward Lyon when four colorful bikes on the sidewalk caught my eye.

Posted in: Bicycling, Commentary, News
Tags: Albany downtown, bikes, CARA, Century Building, electric bikes, Northwest Electric Bikes

Water Avenue crossings: No real choice

Written November 17th, 2023 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 7 responses.

Nobody on the Albany City Council liked the steep jump in the price of planned construction on railroad crossings along Water Avenue. But on Wednesday a majority approved funding to pay for the work because there wasn’t any realistic choice.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany council, Albany downtown, Albany riverfront, CARA, Portland & Western, rail crossings, Water Avenue

Now it’s done: Behold the ‘Opera House’

Written October 18th, 2023 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 8 responses.

It has taken a while, but now a faded former apartment house on East First Avenue in Albany has been rebuilt as something completely different. Now it’s the Opera House, a building with century-old lines on the outside and modern, well equipped apartments inside the walls.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: 222 First, Albany downtown, downtown apartments, Historic buildings, Opera House Apartments, Scott Lepman, Spruce

After nearly 40 years, Novak’s is closed

Written October 2nd, 2023 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 27 responses.

As just about everyone on Facebook knows by now, the famous Novak’s Hungarian restaurant in downtown Albany has closed.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany downtown, Covid lockdown, Joseph and Matilda Novak, Karen and Matilda Novak, Novak's Hungarian, restaurants

Council moves ahead with Obie plans

Written September 27th, 2023 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 15 responses.

A plan to have Obie Companies of Eugene consider developing part of the Albany waterfront with mixed-use buildings is moving ahead.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany downtown, Obie Companies, option to buy, parking lots, riverfront, Water Avenue

Albany plans to sell 3 lots for development

Written September 22nd, 2023 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 36 responses.

Albany city officials have been preparing to sell three downtown parking lots on Water Avenue to Obie Companies Inc., of Eugene, with the goal of develping them with mixed-use buildings.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany downtown, CARA, Obie Companies, parking lots, public hearing, sale of city property, Water Avenue, Waterfront Project

Albany working with firm on downtown hotel

Written June 12th, 2023 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 21 responses.

Albany city officials have been working with Obie Companies, a Eugene developer, to explore the possibility of building a downtown hotel and related amenities, City Manager Peter Troedsson announced on Monday.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany downtown, Albany Waterfront Project, downtown projects, Obie Companies, Water Avenue