The Central Albany Revitalization Area or CARA will end in June 2027, but not before handing out up to $545,000 in a final program of grants.
Albany council writes CARA’s last chapter
Written November 20th, 2025 by Hasso Hering
The Albany Waterfront Project is complete, the end of CARA is near, and electric ratepayers in the city won’t have to bear the full cost of placing overhead power lines on Water Avenue under ground.
Pavers and power poles: A waterfront update
Written May 19th, 2025 by Hasso Hering
Bike rides take me past the west end of Water Avenue in Albany several times a week. So I see the transformation of this former industrial street into the “plaza street” envisioned by the city’s Waterfront Project.
Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: "plaza street", ARA, CARA, Pacific Power, undergound utilities, urban renewal, Water Avenue, Waterfront Project
Tags: "plaza street", ARA, CARA, Pacific Power, undergound utilities, urban renewal, Water Avenue, Waterfront Project
More urban renewal? Albany gets a report
Written July 19th, 2024 by Hasso Hering
The Albany City Council is looking at a report on the feasibility of setting up new urban renewal districts to spur development east of I-5 and the south part of town.
Before it reopens: Monteith Riverpark
Written June 25th, 2024 by Hasso Hering
A week ago Monday, on June 17, the construction fencing around Monteith Riverpark had disappeared, and I took that as an opportunity to make a quick tour of the reconstructed park.
Posted in: Bicycling, Commentary, News
Tags: Albany Waterfront Project, Monteith Riverpark, urban renewal
Tags: Albany Waterfront Project, Monteith Riverpark, urban renewal
Riverfront crossings’ price has gone up
Written November 14th, 2023 by Hasso Hering
If the city council goes along, Albany is about to spend $3.4 million on crossings along the Water Avenue railroad line.
Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany riverfront, Burlington Northern, CARA, rail crossings, urban renewal, Water Avenue rail line, Waterfront Project
Tags: Albany riverfront, Burlington Northern, CARA, rail crossings, urban renewal, Water Avenue rail line, Waterfront Project
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CARA nears its end: Canal ideas died
CARA, the urban renewal program that covers central Albany, reached one of its final milestones last week. This made me think not just about the accomplishments of this program, but also of the high hopes some of us had 25 years ago and how those hopes were dashed.
Tags: CARA, Central Albany, urban renewal