HASSO HERING

A perspective from Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley

The sound of the historic Cumberland bell

Written May 9th, 2026 by Hasso Hering

Saturday was another milestone in the long and continuing saga of the transformation of the former Cumberland Church in Albany into the Cumberland Community Events Center.


St. Francis shows off its tall old windows

Written February 19th, 2026 by Hasso Hering

The tall windows of the ground floor lobby of the historic St. Francis Hotel in Albany have been restored, or opened up, to their full height.


A new chapter for old Schultz Building

Written January 5th, 2026 by Hasso Hering

For more than a century, the Schultz Building has stood at 212 East First Ave. in Albany. Now the ground floor of the historic two-story brick structure is getting a new use.


Building 2: The deal on its demolition

Written September 8th, 2025 by Hasso Hering

The federal government will go ahead and demolish an old and dilapidated building at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), but it is considering steps to preserve two other buildings on the Albany campus.


The vinyl window saga: That case is still open

Written July 21st, 2025 by Hasso Hering

It was four years ago that Albany officials stopped the Willamette Community Church from replacing the remaining old windows in the church’s building, the historic former Albany High School at 420 Third Ave. S.E.


An old building, allowed to run down

Written October 12th, 2024 by Hasso Hering

The U.S. Department of Energy intends to demolish an old building off Liberty Street, on the campus of the former U.S. Bureau of Mines. The question is why has this four-story office building been left to rot to the point that the government wants to tear it down.


Saving Central School — with heat louvers

Written May 4th, 2024 by Hasso Hering

Classrooms in Albany’s 109-year-old Central School have problems with ventilation and heating. The school district has devised a solution, and the city’s Landmarks Commission approved it this week.


 
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