For Albany’s downtown urban renewal program known as CARA, the focus now is on launching and completing a redevelopment of the riverfront along Water Avenue, finishing some remaining projects, and then going out of business, possibly by 2025.
Albany downtown: The riverfront next?
Written October 13th, 2018 by Hasso Hering
So what comes next for CARA, the central Albany urban renewal district? Mayor Sharon Konopa has an idea, and she mentioned it Saturday at the completion ceremony of the city’s two-year downtown streetscape project.
Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany urban renewal, CARA, riverfront, streetscape project, Water Avenue
Tags: Albany urban renewal, CARA, riverfront, streetscape project, Water Avenue
CARA update: Hoping for completion
Written August 15th, 2018 by Hasso Hering
Albany’s downtown renewal board may now be on its way to setting priorities for completing its mission. That’s the vague but hopeful main news from Wednesday’s monthly session of the CARA advisory board.
How to impede traffic flow
Written November 25th, 2017 by Hasso Hering
On Water Avenue, nearly half the street’s width has disappeared so that crossing gates can be installed at this gateway to the Edgewater Village development. Albany drivers may wonder if this is wise.
City-owned site looking for a use
Written November 10th, 2017 by Hasso Hering
The Albany City Council has yet to decide what if anything to do with a block of vacant land it caused the BNSF railroad to hand over in 2013. But for now a previous benefit of the parcel — overflow parking at the popular Calapooia Brewing Co. restaurant across Water Avenue — has been lost.
Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: BNSF Railroad, Calapooia Brewing, Edgewater Village, Hill Street, Water Avenue
Tags: BNSF Railroad, Calapooia Brewing, Edgewater Village, Hill Street, Water Avenue
On the riverfront: Stuff’s going on
Written October 11th, 2017 by Hasso Hering
Things have been quiet on my waterfront beat, but there’s stuff going on, mainly including the installation of a new and improved railroad crossing at Water Avenue and Hill Street, a main entrance to the Edgewater Village development.
Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany riverfront, Denver Street, Geary Street, Hill Street crossing, Portland & Western, Water Avenue
Tags: Albany riverfront, Denver Street, Geary Street, Hill Street crossing, Portland & Western, Water Avenue
Water Avenue: A street solution?
Written July 19th, 2017 by Hasso Hering
On a bike ride along the Albany riverfront, I could not help noticing that segments of Water Avenue now have a nice new surface. Could the same kind of treatment be a solution for the many old city streets where the potholes resemble craters on the moon?
Students offer daring downtown designs
Written December 7th, 2016 by Hasso Hering
Architecturally speaking, downtown Albany would be a more exciting place if there was a way to carry out any of several redevelopment designs worked up by students at the University of Oregon.
Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany-UO partnership, post office, St. Francis, Sustainable Cities Year, Water Avenue
Tags: Albany-UO partnership, post office, St. Francis, Sustainable Cities Year, Water Avenue
Just another home foreclosure
Written August 12th, 2016 by Hasso Hering
You’d expect a zombie to look a lot worse than this tidy little house. But that’s what it is — a zombie foreclosure in real estate lingo, abandoned before somebody sues to take the place.
Next on the riverfront: Hiring consultants
Albany is getting ready to pick a firm of consultants to design a remake of the city’s Willamette riverfront from Washington Street in the west to Main Street in the east.
Tags: Albany urban renewal, ARA, CARA, Greenworks, riverfront development, Walker/Macy, Water Avenue