On the South Waterfront Trail, “unimproved” as it still is, on Aug. 13, 2024.
Go down toward the river from the parking lot at Albany’s Talking Water Gardens and turn left. Now you’re on a dirt trail through the brush that leads to Bowman Park.
I didn’t know that this trail had a name. But apparently it does. To the City of Albany it’s the South Waterfront Trail, and the city has plans for it.
Last week the city council authorized the city staff to file a pre-application for a state grant that would pay for turning the trail into a concrete multi-use path about 3,000 feet long.
On the trail Tuesday, I felt free to record some off-the-cuff editorial comments on the idea:
For the council meeting on Aug. 7, City Engineer Staci Belcastro described the project in a memo:
“The proposed project would construct a concrete multi-use path along the south bank of the Willamette River from Bowman Park to Talking Water Gardens. The project would: border and serve an older established neighborhood; complete a gap in an existing riverfront trail system that connects downtown Albany with several regional parks, as well as commercial and employment opportunities near WinCo and Costco; and is already an identified project in both the Transportation System Plan (TSP) and the Parks Master Plan (PMP). The route the path would utilize is over land which the City already either owns or has acquired an easement for. The total estimated project cost is $3,600,000, with a corresponding required local match of $369,720.”
The state grant would come from an ODOT program known as Oregon Community Paths. ODOT is supposed to notify the city by Sept. 30 whether the project is eligible for the program.
This is one of four projects for which the council authorized the staff to submit pre-applications, that is, filings to determine eligibility. More about the others later.
If ODOTÂ determines any of the the projects are eligible, the council will be asked again whether to apply for the grants.
The outcome is no sure thing. The grants require a local match of 10.27 percent, and the council may balk at committing transportation system development funds to new paths while asking Albany people to pay an additional monthly fee to maintain old streets. (hh)
To quote Hasso: “….The council may balk at committing transportation development funds to new paths while asking Albany people to pay an additional fee to maintain old streets.” ?!! Ya’ think?!! I sure as hell hope they balk at paving a path in the woods (at a price of over 3 million dollars…grant or no grant) when the city’s coffers are completely empty!!!
Another “feel good” project instead of fixing streets.
Well, it’s good to know some of the $3.6 million will be coming from a few state taxes most folks are unfamiliar with – Bicycle Excise Tax and Vehicle Privilege Tax.
But I’m wondering, how will this path complement and expand existing state transportation programs? Will the expected increase in volume of path users reduce vehicle traffic on state owned/maintained streets in Albany? How much?
Looks more like a convenience for homeless folks to set up camp without getting their shoes muddy.
CONCRETE..!! What’s the purpose?? It doesn’t carry that much “traffic” so why the need for such cost.??? Just hack some of the vegetation back, use wood chips for covering and call it DONE..!! Why is this City council so hell bent on spending tax dollars???
Completely agree. Talking Waters uses this method and it works fine. Better yet, the sheriffs department can have their chain gang out there doing the labor for free.
First we get a sewer water fee then we’re to get an electric fee and now a possible “concrete” fee. We the citizens need help from the City not more $ leaving our pockets! What is with our council? We are not Portland!
No more concrete!! A dirt path will suffice! Perhaps a dirt berm or two for the bikers to enjoy flying over! (Go Hasso !)
Perhaps what is needed is a volunteer work party of we citizens to do the work and maintain it (or the sheriff’s crew). That shouldn’t cost much at all.
What is going on with this city council?
Drink much Kool-aid! Get outta touch?
I feel like they each have two hands (and maybe two feet each) groping around in our pockets.
Searching for $$$.
So I copy and paste:
What do you have to say Steph Newton-Azorr?
What do you have to say Novak?
What do you have to say Montague?
What do you have to say McGee?
What do you have to say Smith?
Ray, ….pauses… ok explain yourself too. Go!
I think they each SERIOUSLY need to look themselves in the mirror!