Santiam Communications

HASSO HERING

A perspective from Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley

From farm fields to housing tracts

Written January 15th, 2026 by Hasso Hering

It was in the spring two years ago that an old broken Allis Chalmers tractor caught my eye on the south side of Ellingson Road opposite Lochner Road, at the south end of Albany.


And now, returning to Willetta and 53rd

Written January 12th, 2026 by Hasso Hering

Plans are just plans, in case you forgot, and plans are subject to change. One example is playing out on property at the corner of 53rd Avenue and Willetta Street in southwest Albany.


Construction under way in Riverwood Crossing

Written May 26th, 2025 by Hasso Hering

As you will have noticed if you have driven on Gibson Hill Road in North Albany, vertical construction started this month on Riverwood Crossing, the 80-lot “middle housing” development approved last year.


Albany airport’s future? City hires consultant

Written May 18th, 2025 by Hasso Hering

The Albany city government is about to launch another one of the periodic exercises of trying to figure out if there’s a better use for the the city’s airport.


In S. Albany, 86 lots are set to become 176

Written February 19th, 2025 by Hasso Hering

The City of Albany has received its second request to convert a single-family subdivision to “middle housing” at twice the density previously approved.


Smaller houses that cost less: Solution?

Written February 2nd, 2025 by Hasso Hering

For years I have followed what was happening on a lot across from Albany’s Hackleman Park. A bike ride took me past the address again last month, and what I saw might be one partial answer to Oregon’s so-called housing crisis.


Where the ‘near future’ has not arrived

Written January 12th, 2025 by Hasso Hering

This dilapidated barricade and its vague promise of a street extension have been in place for more than a decade. Now the barricade is falling apart, and the future possibility mentioned in the sign has not yet arrived.


 
HH Today: A perspective from Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley
Albany Albany City Council Albany council Albany downtown Albany housing Albany parks Albany Planning Commission Albany police Albany Post Office Albany Public Works Albany riverfront Albany Station Albany streets Albany traffic Albany urban renewal Amtrak apartments ARA Benton County bicycling bike lanes Bowman Park Bryant Park CARA climate change Cox Creek Cox Creek path cumberland church cycling Dave Clark Path DEQ downtown Albany Edgewater Village Ellsworth Street bridge Highway 20 homeless housing Interstate 5 land use Linn County Millersburg Monteith Riverpark North Albany North Albany Road ODOT Oregon legislature Pacific Boulevard Pacific Power Portland & Western Queen Avenue Queen Avenue crossing railroad Railroads Republic Services Riverside Drive Santiam Canal Scott Lepman Talking Water Gardens Union Pacific urban renewal vandalism Water Avenue Waterfront Project Waverly Lake Willamette River



Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved. Hasso Hering.
Website Serviced by Santiam Communications
Hasso Hering