Here’s a chance for would-be rescuers of dilapidated but historic Albany houses. This place, at 732 Fourth Ave. S.W., is about to come up for sale. The Federal National Mortgage Association, which owns it, is looking for a buyer with an interest or background in restoring historic buildings.
The city of Albany is on the verge of doing something about another old house in the Monteith Historic District. The house had code enforcement issues and has sat empty for some time.
Three old houses in Albany’s Monteith Historic District, condemned by the city and boarded up, are too far gone to be economically restored and should be allowed to be razed. Essentially that’s the conclusion of 18 pages of “findings” the city council is expected to adopt when it meets on Wednesday.
Plywood on the doors and windows is not what you expect to see on one of the stately old houses in Albany’s Monteith Historic District. Which is why the boards caught my attention as I was riding past 637 Fifth Ave. S.W. in recent days.
What happens now, now that LUBA has faulted the Albany City Council for how it decided to allow the planned demolition of three old houses? The main upshot seems to be that the houses, at Fourth and Calapooia, are not likely to be demolished any time soon.
What’s likely to happen with this vacant old house in Albany’s Monteith Historic District now is a little clearer after the subject came up before the city council Wednesday night.
No longer neglected: House rescue is under way
After standing empty and neglected for years, an old house in Albany’s Monteith Historic District now has new owners who have cleaned it out and are fixing it up. They hope that it will once again become a family’s home.
Tags: 732 Fourth, Greg Schneider, Monteith Historic District