Checking on the Water Avenue “plaza” project at sunset on Sept. 4, 2025.
Since the last time I checked, contractors on Albany’s ambitious Waterfront Project had made progress on rebuilding the west end of Water Avenue with reddish brick pavers.
By last Thursday, moving east from Washington Street, the pavers had completed two blocks and reached the Broadalbin Street intersection.
Originally that portion of Water Avenue was supposed to reopen in June. But so far the end of the work looks like it is weeks away.
City Manager Peter Troedsson gave the council an update in his weekly report on Aug. 29:
“Construction of the plaza street improvements on Water Avenue between Washington Street and Lyon Street commenced this spring. The plaza street is being constructed using brick pavers and is at grade with the new sidewalk which will allow Water Avenue to be closed to traffic for festivals and markets. In addition to the plaza street, this project includes construction of new sidewalk, street lighting, and landscaping. The plaza street has been constructed from Washington past Thurston Street. The project is expected to be completed this November.”
The Thurston Street reference is to the reconstruction of the Thurston Street intersection, also with reddish pavers, completed last year. The plaza street treatment goes only from Washington Street to the Lyon Street Bridge.
Meanwhile on other aspects of the $21.5 million Waterfront Project, financed by the CARA urban renewal district:
— Pacific Power has not yet determined the final cost of putting power lines along a portion of Water Avenue under ground. When it does, the company plans to bill the cost to ratepayers within Albany in monthly installments over two years. That is, unless the city council decides before then to have CARA bear this cost as part of the Waterfront Project.
— The main attraction of the reconstructed Monteith Riverpark, the splash pad for children, developed a mechanical problem and was shut down this week. On Facebook, the city said it would announce on social media if and when the problem is fixed.
No water at the splash pad explains why the Monteith playground was quieter than usual when I went past there on the bike this past week. (hh)
So, we taxpayers spent 21.5 million for a new stage ( there has been no report in the newspaper (and I don’t do social media) on whether the River Rhythms concerts brought in huge crowds this year or not), a kiddie’s playground with a broken water system and they will let people know on social media “if” and when it is fixed, and a bunch of fancy brick pavers on Water Street for “festivals and markets.”
What festivals!! And, we need to spend millions for fancy brick pavers for The Farmer’s Market?!?
The Council … sure as heck better decide that their “baby,” CARA, is paying for the underground placement of power lines on Water Street!!!
What festivals you ask? Think June.
Ok. I thought “June.” Can’t come up with a damned thing going on in June in Albany. And, even if there are “goings on” in Albany in June, the taxpayers should not have to pay to brick over Water Street. NO MORE URBAN RENEWAL PROJECTS EVER. They steal tax money (via skimming off the top of property taxes for over 20 years) from schools, fire and police depts., and public health, etc., etc.
It would be nice for the CARA slush fund would pay for the power lines instead of bilking the taxpayers for the cost. The splash pad doesn’t work? I hope the contractor is footing the bill for fixing it, or will we get another “fee” charged to us for maintaining that too?
Waste of our taxes! there are other things the need fixing in Albany yet they don’t really care. Like the Railroad crossing at queen, the road in front of the hospital ( what’s left of it ), And so many other things. But NOOOO lets put in fancy red bricks in. Who ever voted on that needs to be fired!
I believe the railroad crossing at Queen is the responsibility of the railroad not the city.
NO PROBLEM..EACH BRICK COSTS $ 25….IT’S FREE MONEY, RIGHT..UNDERGROUND POWER LINES…MORE FREE MONEY…SOMEONE E-MAIL ELON OR TRUMP….OH MY..