A lineman works on a Pacific Power pole at Ferry Street and Water Avenue Tuesday afternoon. Overhead cables in this area will be removed.
The work to remove overhead wiring along the west end of Albany’s Water Avenue is nearing its completion. The power poles between Washington Street and the Ellsworth Street bridge were still up this week but won’t be there much longer.
A contractor for Pacific Power has been working on the project for several months, installing underground cables and vaults of varying sizes from Monteith Park to the Ellsworth Street bridge.
Putting the utilities under ground was required by the Albany Revitalization Agency’s Waterfront Project, which is remodeling the western three blocks of Water Avenue. Under an agreement with the City of Albany, Pacific Power will add a surcharge to Albany customers’ monthly electric bills over two years to recover the cost of the undergrounding, estimated at more than $2 million.
The surcharge will need the approval of the Oregon Public Utility Commission.
After seeing a lineman for Pacific Power contractor Potelco Inc. working on a pole on Tuesday, I asked Adam Kohler for an update on the project. He’s the utility’s business manager for the Albany area, and he replied:
“The lineman you saw was most likely preparing some of the cables for the eventual removal. All of the underground cable is in place, but there are still a few items which need to be completed before they can switch the power to those cables and begin to wreck out the overhead. I would hazard a guess that that work will be completed by the end of the month.
“In terms of the filing with the PUC, that won’t occur until the work is completed, primarily so the overall job costs can be determined. I would anticipate the filing to occur in May and then any surcharges to begin to appear on residents’ bills in the June/July timeframe.”
Waterfront Project contractor K&E Excavating this week started excavating the surface of the two blocks of Water Avenue between Broadalbin and Washington streets. The third block, between Broadalbin and Ellsworth, presumably will be next. (hh)
Water Avenue, with the top layers gone, the way it looked on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
Redevelopment agency should pay 100% out of there money and none from rate payers
Another prime example of the city wasting taxpayer money on a frivolous project. How many home owners will pay that tax and never go near Water Avenue ? Think it’s time for a change in our city leaders as soon as possible !
Our mayor and most of the council really have no clue, understanding or empathy.
Sadly Marilyn Smith’s term runs to the end of 2028. Michael and Steph seem better, more sensible than most of them. Anybody know if there’s an easy way to see a vote roster? They don’t identify as dems or republicans – which could be helpful.
It’s disingenuous to hide party affiliation. You know they’re registered as one or the other.
That “change” can happen every election. Throw your name in the hat…
I’m one of those taxpayers. I’ll never go down there. I’m a senior. More fees pushed on us by the city. We can’t hardly afford our power bills now
Voters have always had a chance every two years, but not much changes because too many voters don’t have the time or interest to keep up with City doings and candidate histories. They often blindly choose candidates with donations from major players, such as the Chamber and builders and real estate PACs, who are able to fund campaign literature, signs, and mailings that more independent candidates can’t afford. (You might also consider why so much money is spent campaigning for positions that pay $3600 per year.)
Correction: each city councilor receives a monthly stipend of $130; the mayor receives $185 per month. The mayor and each councilor also receive $50 per month to cover home internet access. Total per councilor: $2,160; mayor, $2,820. I receive, after taxes, $166.04 per month.