Figure 49
Historic Building at Broadalbin and 2nd
Ave SW, Downtown Albany
Albany
is the Linn County seat. It was founded in 1848 and incorporated in 1864. In
1990, there were 34,279 people in Albany, and in 2000, there were 40,852, an
increase of 16% (Census Data, Table Five).
Albany
is known in the region as a "blue collar town," and certainly its industrial
past, and rows of small, neat homes give evidence of this past. However, in the
last 12 years the city has dramatically shifted from industrial to residential
development and to trades and services sectors.
According
to city officials and local residents, many or most of the newcomers are
commuters. Relying on the urban job markets of Salem, Corvallis, and Eugene,
these folks are stimulating increased residential development in the community.
One city official estimated that 70% of all new growth is from commuters. About
a quarter of all new construction is in North Albany, while growth east of Interstate
5 has been less because of infrastructure limitations.
Geographic
features determine where growth has occurred and will occur in the future.
Historically, the railroad and the river defined the town and still define
neighborhoods. Officials stated that buildable land in Albany is gone, which
will be an issue for the City in years to come. Thirty percent of all lands in
Albany are wetlands. The number and size of Interstate 5 crossing will affect
east Albany's growth potential. West and south Albany will be affected by river
crossings and the flood plain. Bridge size and capacity will affect growth in
North Albany. Hence, there is considerable investment that must be made in
order to accommodate the next generation of growth.
Particular
neighborhood areas are found in Albany. The historic district neighborhood
(Area 2, Figure 48) is bordered by river on west and north, 9th
street on the south, and Lyon Street on the east. It has high levels of
socializing and caretaking, with many long-established residents. Walking
tourists are a part of everyday life, as for example, for the Holiday lights.
The 1st Street bar is very popular as is the Personal Barbershop.
"We help each other out
with Christmas lights. My son crawled in a window when he forgot his key and
the police were here in 5 minutes. We look out for each other."
In
the more suburban neighborhoods, such as south Albany (Area 10, Figure 48),
there is not as much socializing with neighbors but attendance at activities
that serves to bind the neighbors together. School activities are the most
common connection point. Much of the housing in South Albany are small, neat,
homes with well-kept lawns and trimmed bushes. Lots of trucks, American flags,
"souped up" older cars, RVs, campers, and basketball hoops fill the
neighborhood. Small markets dot the area but are not used much for
communication purposes. Some people had negative comments about South Albany:
"Drugs, crime, low-income
neighborhood. I had to get out of there."
However, residents
described liking where they lived, and generally have stayed there a long time.
They know their neighbors and are aware of issues and people down the street.
They are very connected in support systems.
"My neighbor got mad at me because I didn't tell
them I was going away for a few days. ____ got worried about me and thought
something might be wrong."
"Several
homes sold over the last few years and a lot of Mexicans moved in. At first I
was very nervous and afraid, but now I realize they are great people, very
nice."
North Albany (Area
1, Figure 48) is where "everyone wants to live," one person said. It's where
the "trophy homes" are, someone else said. It lies "over the bridge." The homes
and incomes are larger, although youth from the area are associated with drugs
and troublesome behavior. It has little commercial activity beyond a handful of
small businesses, but it has several schools churches, and a golf club.
West Albany (Area
11) is typically low-income families, lots of kids, and lots of families. The
Gateway Mall is considered the center of town and where most shopping
opportunities are.
A
final settlement feature is that youth are staying around after graduation.
This finding was supported by talking with teenagers and with school
administrators.
"There is a big sense of
family in the community that keeps many people local."
"As a young person, you can pick and choose
because there is such a wide variety of jobs now."
Tangent was
developed as an agricultural support center for the large farming operations
that dominate the area. However, the area is beginning to be used for other
purposes. The City's population doubled since 1990, from 450 to 960, which is
attributed to the growth of the grass seed industry in the valley and to low
property values. Major employers are grass seed companies and the school
district. Recently a trailer park and gated subdivision have been built.
Tangent's strategic plan says "Improve downtown and stay rural."
Publics
Senior citizens
are a large part of the local population. Service providers felt that the 55-65
year age group was the most underserved. While older people use the senior
centers, this age group does not and so is not as plugged into tours, events,
and trips. This group was described as having avid interest in outdoor and
public land activities and low levels of information about where to go (See
Section Three on Citizen Issues).
The City's ethnic
population doubled from 2 to 4% during the last decade, according to city
officials, with the percentage being over twice that in the schools. While the
City is not ethnically diverse, it is diverse politically and economically.
Commuters are now
a public in their own right, with unique interests that affect social and
economic life.
Networks
See Section Two.
Work Routines
The Albany economy
is known for rare metals, food processing, timber, and seed industries. Wah
Chang is the largest employer with 1100 workers but the Greater Albany Public
Schools employs 950, Willamette Industries (now Weyerhaeuser) has 635 workers,
Linn County 700, Linn-Benton Community College 510, Albany General Hospital
500, Georgia Pacific Corporation in Halsey 437, and Target Distribution Center
440. (See Mid-Valley HRU chapter for the regional economic picture.)
Albany
is becoming a regional economy center, not just a locally driven economy.
People believe that because the City has approved Costco and Home Depot near
the freeway that Albany is becoming a regional shopping and service center.
These and other developments have taken their toll on downtown businesses,
resulting in the loss of the hardware stores and many others.
A number of residents
commented on the growth of "corporate America" in the form of box stores and
chains that are supplanting smaller, locally owned businesses. Major businesses
are not local ones anymore. One outcome of this trend has been that community
leadership does not include business people as in past generations.
"Corporate America is moving in and driving the
small businessperson out."
"Albany residents are more open to growth, which has
resulted in places like Costco and Home Depot that can't get into Corvallis."
"The banks have all been bought out by larger
corporations."
"There are no leaders from business at the local
level anymore."
Downtown focuses
on specialty shops. Antiques used to be the big thing but they have declined.
In the last three years, 8 antique shops have closed in Albany, and the
existing ones are barely hanging on. Old town pushes activities that bring
people down there, along with support services for people once they are there.
"Downtown businesses work if you have a
unique product and you are very service oriented. You have to have the
expertise so people don't go to the big stores."
Because
Albany's new growth has been residential, especially affordable housing, the
primary tax revenues to the city are from industrial and corporate sources. So
not only is city funding very tight, but the "new dollars" do not have a high
multiplier effect through the area that "old dollars" (mills, manufacturing
facilities) did.
Commuters are
stimulating residential and retail growth in Albany, according to a range of
observers. The cost of living, including housing, is said to be much cheaper
than in neighboring locales.
"Most folks do not work in Albany. It has really
converted to a bedroom community."
Many businesses,
especially industrial operations, are choosing to locate in Millersburg because
it reportedly does not have a corporate tax. It has adopted policies that support
large manufacturing firms, and three firms currently operate large-scale
facilities - Weyerhaeuser (taking over Willamette Industries operations), OreMet
WahChange, and Palm Harbor Homes (Analysis of the Regional Economy and Housing
for Linn and Benton Counties, ECONorthwest for Cascade West Council of
Governments, November, 1999).
Albany and
Millersburg have worked well together in the past and have recently started a
joint economic development corporation. A few people commented that both
communities are resisting Corvallis because it's too "stuck up", and one cited
a New Year's Day 2001 article by The Oregonian entitled "Tale of Two
Cities" that described Albany/Corvallis tensions.
West and north
Albany have no grocery stores. All markets are in the central area and to the
south. Residents in north and west Albany want closer shopping.
"The area has shifted from industrial type work that
paid a 'family wage' to a service economy where it takes two members of the
household to earn the same amount."
Support Services
South and West
Albany High Schools in the past have been very different, South being more
technically oriented and West being more college oriented. The differences have
begun to merge as classes and programs have begun to be integrated, diversity
has increased, and socioeconomic differences have become less pronounced. West
Albany High School reported an increase from 13 to 18% between 1997 and 2001 of
students in the free and reduced lunch program, a local measure of poverty. The
socioeconomic status for students of both schools has dropped because of the
economic changes described in this report.
Both schools
stress community service and both have noted a proliferation of student clubs,
a reflection of more active and aware students than in the past, according to
school officials. Increasing state requirements for career experience is likely
to mean more demands on the Forest Service in the future for job "shadowing"
and other internship opportunities.
The library in
Albany is actively supported, with a vigorous volunteer program and a variety
of programs for the public. It is one of the first places newcomers approach on
coming to the community.
The churches
support each other and common programs like FISH (Emergency Services), Habitat
for Humanity, and Interfaith Homeless shelter. Several of them have youth
programs, mostly targeted to urban projects, but typically involving a trip to
public lands once or twice a year.
"On Our Own" is a
drop-in facility for low-income people in the downtown area. It serves 250
people, providing meals, toiletry articles, and job support services for people
not poor enough for other services and too poor to make it on their own. The
demand for services has increased since 9/11 and the economic downturn. In the
summer, hikes and guided tours are arranged. Clients are taken to Foster Lake
for picnics.
Affordable housing
is needed in Albany. When the economy was depressed in the 1980s because of the
mills shutting down and the poor economy, there were many rentals. In the
1990s, property values increased steadily each year leading to a shortage of
rental units. By the late 1990s, the cost of housing was out of reach for the
blue-collar worker. Apparently, some recent construction is aimed at the rental
market.
Among the
highlights in Albany are historic home tours, covered bridge tours, civic
theatre that brings in notable entertainment, and free weekly concerts in the
summer at Montieth Park.
Recreational Activities
See Section Three.
B.
Trends, Themes, and Citizen Issues
Related
to Community Life
Trends
The growth of
commuting, with attendant trades and services sectors, and an increased demand
for affordable housing.
An increase of
quality of life concerns for the family, as wage earners work harder, and kids
and youth have more unsupervised time.
Less economic
reliance on traditional sectors like forest products industry and
manufacturing.
Continued
sustainable, diverse neighborhoods with strong support systems.
Increasing
pressures on a limited tax base to fund necessary infrastructure and support
functions by local government.
Themes
1. "We are divided
over growth." Residents are very concerned about growth but not in agreement
about best strategies to deal with it. Growth is a common political issue.
2. "Albany is
still a community where people know and take care of each other." Despite
growing urbanization, residents feel Albany is a small town, partly because so
many people were raised there and Albany is "home."
"One night, my sister's car was broken into. The
next morning, all of my neighbors were outside helping me figure out what could
have happened."
Albany residents are proud of their local success
story, Joseph Novack, who came from Hungary 25 years ago, started a restaurant,
and now is running for state representative. This success is attributed to the
supporting climate of Albany.
Citizen Issues Related to Community Life
Lifestyle
"The
drug problems are growing." [Mentioned by almost everyone]
"There's
a valley wide effort of law enforcement called 'Valiant' to deal with drugs. It
shows you how big the problem is."
"We're
becoming a city and we have these growing irritants like traffic and more gang
influence."
Governance
"The
county has a $40 million backlog in road maintenance. It just can't get to all
of them."
"There
are no lots to build on, and if you find one, it costs $40,000-45,000. It's
because Corvallis, with its no growth policy, has real estate that's 35% higher
than anywhere else."
"You
can't afford the housing here." [common]
Economic
Development
"Jobs
so that people don't have to move for work is the single biggest issue I get as
Linn County Commissioner." [Commissioner Cliff Wooten]
"Downtown
really needs assistance." [The city is developing a new urban renewal
district.]
Section
Two:
Communication
Strategies
A. Informal Networks and Communication
Gathering Places and Communication
The newspaper, the
Albany Democrat-Herald, is highly respected in the community. Because it
feels that people are most interested in local news, its layout features local
news in the front and national news farther back.
The Albany YMCA is
very plugged in with residents throughout the region, and is a key
communication spot. The Y hosts a "Seniors Coffee" on a monthly basis, which is
a good communication opportunity.
Boccherini's
Coffee and Tea House is a gathering place for many of the city's elites,
including women leaders in the community. Commuters come in the early hours,
and long time residents later in the morning.
The City of Albany
Parks and Recreation Department operates a senior center that is a central
means of communication with the older population.
Personal Barber
Shop, downtown, is still a very key communication point in Albany, from young
to old, and from workers to politicians.
Loafers Bread and
Bistro on Washington Street is a favorite.
Wyatt's
Eatery and Brewhouse is downtown,
Buzz Saw
Restaurant and Lounge is in northeast Albany.
Grandma's
Greenery is a tavern in East Albany.
Ma's
Dairy Farm on 34th and Highway 99 is in West Albany.
Monteith
River Park is very popular in the summer.
High
school sporting events draw many people.
B. Formal Groups and Communication
Figure
50
Organizations
With Interest in Public Lands in the Albany Area
|
Organization
|
Contact Information
|
Mission
|
|
North Santiam Slow Pokes
Bicycle Club
|
Bill Pintard, 967-3295
C/O Lebanon Community Hospital
P.O. Box 739
525 N. Santiam Hwy
Lebanon 97355
|
|
|
Willamette River Keepers
|
City of Albany
|
"Down by the Riverside"
cleanup; Diverse group of scouts, school classes, forestry program, YMCA,
etc.
|
|
City of Albany
Water Resources
Coordinator
|
Sheryl
Hummon
(541) 917-7501
|
Environmental education;
event efforts, rivers and streams focus
|
|
Linn County Commission
|
Cliff Wooten
(541) 967-3825
|
Title III funds
Forest Camp of the
Siuslaw National Forest
|
|
City of Albany
Public Works Department
Urban Forestry Program
|
Doug Grafe,
Albany City Forester
(541) 917-7679
|
|
Albany-Millersburg Economic
Development Corporation
|
John Pascone
(541) 926-1517
|
|
|
City of Albany
Natural Resources
Advisory Committee
|
Rich Catlin
(541) 917-7564
|
Wetlands and riparian
protection in the City
|
|
Boy Scouts of America
Calapooia District
|
Chuck Mills
Cascade Pacific Council
425 S.W. Second, Suite 103
Albany, OR 97321
|
Outings to public lands;
trails and restoration projects
|
|
Albany Chapter
Northwest Steelheaders
|
Don Heiztman
P.O. Box 421
Albany, OR 97321
Attention: Skip Lynch
(541) 928-5729
|
Many restoration
projects, boat ramps, youth activities, long-term history
|
|
Cascades West Council of
Governments
|
Cascades West Center
1400 Queen Ave SE
Albany, OR 97321
(541) 967 - 8720
|
Educate on and address
regional issues
|
|
Calapooia Watershed
Council
|
Bud Baumgartner
33630 McFarland Rd.
Tangent OR 97389
(541) 469-5811
|
|
|
South Santiam Watershed
Council
|
Nancy MacHugh
3310 NW Crocker Lane
Albany OR 97321
(541) 967-7364
machughn@open.org
|
|
Section
Three:
The
Public Lands Perspective
A. Uses of and Orientation to Public
Lands
The Albany World
Champion Timber Carnival, sponsored by the Albany Jaycees and held at the
Fourth of July since World War II, is ending this year because of declining
attendance. This has been one of the premier events in the Northwest showcasing
the timber lifestyle.
At the urban
level, the City of Albany identifies looping trails as an emerging interest of
residents for walking, jogging and bicycling. Environmental awareness of
residents is growing. According to city officials, residents are more concerned
than ever about pollutants going into the river and they support clean-up
efforts.
The City has
established projects to meet state requirements around wetlands and riparian
preservation. In 1995, it completed a wetlands inventory. Last October, an
advisory committee began meeting to advise city council about the best ways to
protect wetlands and riparian areas in urban areas. The City has a program
presently to stencil "Dump no waste, drains to stream" in front of storm drains
to reduce pollution.
Reportedly, because
a local swimming pool was closed, people have reverted to using an old swimming
hole at the confluence of the Calapooia and Willamette Rivers.
As stated earlier,
the 55-65 year old age group has expressed interest in, and has little
information about, public land opportunities. We believe it means that low
impact but physically capable outdoor activities are in demand.
"We had a sleigh ride planned up at Hoodoo this
winter. Over 125 people wanted to go, but insurance difficulties caused them to
cancel. It was a big disappointment."
Mountain bike
store in Albany sends customers to MacDonald Forest outside of Corvallis and to
Mary's Peak. Young people go to Mary's Peak and the "snow peaks" (Santiam
Canyon) for their parties. People go camping mostly around the Sweet Home area,
Foster Lake and Green Peter Lake. Hunters like Burnt Wood and Harlan on the way
to Toledo, Alsea River, and Foster Lake. G.I. Joes is popular for gear. The
G.I. Joes sports manager travels to the Sweet Home Ranger District to purchase
the maps he needs because these maps display the fire roads. GPS (geographic
positioning systems) sales have tripled in recent years, and snowshoeing has
become a popular wintertime activity.
"I like fishing the Siletz and South Santiam River.
I go to G.I. Joes for what I need. I use the internet to track water levels."
[Schoolteacher fisherman]
One JKA researcher
visited a science class at North Albany Middle School and virtually every child
indicated that they had been taken to the forest in the last couple years. Many
mentioned areas outside the valley such as Bend, the coast and even Idaho. But
E.E. Wilson, Jefferson Mountain, Green Peter and Detroit Lake were also
mentioned. Camping was the most frequent activity, followed by fishing and
boating. About 1/5 of the class had parents with boats. One-third of the class
had participated on river or forest cleanup projects in the past through scouts
or church groups.
Many youth and
adult church programs occur on National Forest land. In addition, the Sweet
Home Ranger District supports the Boy Scout troops from the Albany area. The
Scouts bring back to the Forest Eagle Scout and troop projects of restoration
or trail building that create a return benefit. Scouting participation has
doubled in the last eight years in Albany, according to the Calapooia District
of 63 units.
The Albany Chapter
of Northwest Steelheaders, the original chapter in Oregon, began 28 years ago
and has been active in steam restoration work in the region. Because coastal
streams tend to get scoured out, they do "gabions", or baskets of rocks, and
put them where they would collect gravel from winter floods. They have worked
with STEP biologists to improve salmon habitat by "increasing the structure" in
the lower Alsea River and other places by cabling logs and stumps into
channels. They have done boat ramps and handicapped access. The chapter has
worked with Scouts and taught kids to fish. Its territory is from Eugene and
points east, the Alsea and Siletz Rivers, and the Lebanon area.
B.
Trends, Themes, and Citizen Issues Related to Natural Resource Management
Trends
The demand for
outdoor education in Albany is growing. The middle schools have no such
programs, nor do they take fieldtrips. West Albany High School has a program of
study that includes natural resource systems and environmental conservation.
Avid interest has been expressed in more programs like this.
The value among
urbanites for ecosystem amenities like clean air and water is increasing.
Public interest in
urban trails is increasing.
Snowshoeing and
cross-country skiing are among the fastest growing recreation uses of public
lands.
Themes
1. "Most people do
not want to see the Forest Service cut trees like they did in the past, but
people did want to see the pendulum swing a little more back to the middle - away
from the seeming policy of 'cut nothing.'" People seemed intent on
communicating reasonableness about timber policy, acknowledging problems of the
past, but making it clear that the present condition of little timber
production is not right either.
2. "People in
Albany are not interested in logging, but they are interested in seeing the
Forest Service engage in a more tangible way with the local economy." People
saying comments like this meant that some level of forest harvest is
appropriate, and that special attention should be paid to maximizing the
economic benefits of such activity. Thinning and restoration activities are
most associated with this approach.
Citizen
Issues Related to Natural Resource Management
Residents have
expressed high interest to City officials in more trails and inter-connecting
trails throughout the City.
"People would like to see the woodland preserved,
but thinning and other activities could and should still occur."
"I want to get an interpretive trail going that will
stretch from North Albany Middle School along the edge of the nearby woods. I'm
not sure how to get funding yet."
A number of church youth
groups would be interested in forest restoration or river cleanup projects.
Access
"There's not
enough access to the forest. I got a permit from Willamette once, but the fire
watch refused to honor it and I got a ticket for trespassing."
"Access is the number one issue for people living in
the valley. I hear people complain but there are ways to be proactive.
Companies will usually allow you on their land if you sign an insurance waiver.
Private gates have phone numbers."
"The Forest Service should put in more handicapped
ramps and platforms, like at Mike Ballard Park." [Northwest Steelheaders,
Albany Chapter]
C. Management Opportunities
People are
consciously placing value on ecosystem amenities like clean air and water. This
value will increase with increased urbanization, speaking to the importance of
supporting outdoor education.
Organized outdoor
recreation programs will grow in response to urbanization and the deepening of
the trades and services economy. It may be that more group facilities may be
needed or more liaison work with urban areas to direct and educate.
If the Forest
Service could offer technical and grant writing expertise to the trail building
interests of Albany urbanites, a strong coalition could be developed to support
forest policy initiatives.
The State of
Oregon mandate for students to have direct career opportunities is now becoming much more stringent. This means
schools will be contacting employers like the Forest Service more often for job
shadows and other career opportunities.
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