Street improvements related to the new Henshaw Farms subdivision at the corner of Ellingson and Columbus Street will require the full closure of Columbus Street south of the Mennonite Village at 53rd Street SE and north of Seven Mile Lane.
More information will be posted to this page if necessary.
Start:
March 22, 2021
End:
June 18, 2021
(Construction with flaggers on Columbus and Ellingson to be completed by early July 2021)
Contact:
- Aaron Hiemstra: 541-704-2325
- Pete Hemmers: 541-791-0113
- Details
The Central Albany Revitalization Area (CARA) Advisory Board approved funding for a downtown streetscape project that will beautify the downtown core with such improvements as new street lighting, sidewalks, and street trees.
The project was split into two phases to accommodate the opening of the new Albany Carousel Museum and help reduce the disruption to the downtown during construction.
The Public Works Department realizes construction will be very disruptive to the downtown during both phases of this project. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during construction and will do everything possible to reduce construction impacts.
Stay Informed
Downtown Albany Streetscape Project Facebook Group
- Get alerts on your phone: Text 97321 to 888-777 (or sign up at cityofalbany.net/nixle)
- Email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Call: 541-917-7676, Public Works Engineering
For questions or concerns regarding this project, contact:
Lindsey Austin, Engineering Technician IV
City of Albany Public Works
541-917-7651
Project Description
Phase 2
Phase 2 Construction Activity Map
Phase 2 includes these improvements:
Second and Third Avenues
- New street lighting
- New street trees
- New street furniture
- New sidewalks
- New asphalt pavement
- Water line replacement
Broadalbin Street
between Second and Third Avenues
This will look like the block of Broadalbin between First and Second Avenues.
- New street lighting
- New street trees
- New street furniture
- New stormwater quality planters
- New sidewalks
- New asphalt pavement
Lyon and Ellsworth Streets
from First to Third Avenues
- New street lighting
- New street trees
- New sidewalks
from Third to Eight Avenues
- New street lighting
- New street trees
Street Trees
The street trees were removed during the first two months of 2017 in accordance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. It was necessary for the street trees to be removed for one or more of these reasons:
- They were nearing or had reached the end of their life span.
- They were an unsuitable variety for an urban environment.
- They conflicted with the new improvements.
The downtown will look somewhat bare but once Phase 2 is complete, about 12 new trees that are appropriate for urban environments will be planted in each block.
Phase 1
Completed May 2017
Phase 1 of the CARA Downtown Streetscape Project includes installing new sidewalk, asphalt pavement, and street trees around three frontages of the Albany Post Office. The Public Works Department is also replacing undersized water lines in the project area. The work will begin in early January 2017 and be completed by the end of March to coincide with the opening of the Carousel.
Phase 1 will also introduce back-in angled parking to the downtown with a total of 47 parking spaces.
Back-In Angled Parking Layout
The idea of back-in-angled parking may be new and different to some. However, it has been proven to be significantly safer in pedestrian- and bicycle-heavy areas and most successful along one-way streets. The area surrounding the Albany Post Office and Carousel is the perfect location for this type of parking because of heavy pedestrian traffic and one-way streets.
Back-in angled parking creates significantly better visibility when pulling out of the space as the driver is looking forward into the lane and can see oncoming vehicles and bicycles without obstruction. Additional safety benefits come when car doors open; occupants of the vehicle can exit to the back of the vehicle toward the sidewalk and are shielded by the car doors instead of having to maneuver around them. This feature is especially beneficial for families with small children. Loading and unloading from the rear of a vehicle is also much easier with back-in parking as the trunk of the vehicle is facing the sidewalk.
Back-in angled parking may take some getting used to for some but will create a safer and more efficient environment overall.
- Details
The City of Albany recently retained the consulting firm David Evans and Associates to evaluate the current and anticipated future performance of the intersection at Crocker Lane and Gibson Hill Road and to identify alternatives (see report) for correcting deficiencies there.
The Albany City Council reviewed the report on March 21, 2016 and directed staff to conduct a series of public outreach activities to determine which intersection improvement alternative is preferred by North Albany residents. The first step in that process was an online survey. Notice of the survey was provided in the April 2016 edition of the City Bridges newsletter (17,000 plus recipients, released March 29, 2016) and through social media (over 3,000 likers/followers). After two weeks there were 326 responses. Many responses included comments and questions that have been addressed by staff. The survey results are summarized on this page.
City staff will hold an open house on this topic from 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, 2016 in the Council Chambers at Albany City Hall, 333 Broadalbin Street SW. The purpose of the open house is to provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about the various intersection alternatives and provide feedback. No new information will be presented at the open house; it is primarily an opportunity for you to ask questions of staff and the City’s consultant about this project. If you are unable to attend but have questions or comments that you want to be heard, please send them via email to
Next Steps
- Open house, Tuesday, April 26, 2016, from 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Albany City Hall, 333 Broadalbin Street SW.
- Staff will combine survey results and public comments into a report to the City Council.
- The Council will then consider the public input and identify their preferred intersection treatment.
- No decisions have been made about when improvements to the intersection will be made; available funding is limited and the community has competing transportation needs.
- Once the preferred alternative is identified, the Council will need to consider these funding limitations and competing needs before scheduling construction.
Summary of Results
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- Details
Map
This map is updated weekly. Click on a marked shape to display details about a project. You can also filter by project type.
About the types of projects on this map
There are three project types shown on this map:
Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
CIP projects are public infrastructure improvements needed to enhance service levels, address deficiencies, and provide for future growth. Examples of typical CIP projects are replacement of a water or sewer pipe, or street reconstruction.
CIP projects are typically managed and designed by Albany staff to meet state, city, and federal guidelines.
The CIP document covers a 5-year planning period and is updated every two years in conjunction with the city’s biennial budget. The projects listed in the first two years of the CIP are included in the budget. Current and past CIP documents can be found here.
Site Improvement (SI)
A site improvement is a project that includes construction of public infrastructure for the development of private property for residential, commercial, or industrial use. An example of a typical SI project is a new subdivision, including streets, water and sewer lines, and stormwater quality facilities.
These projects are managed by a private development team that usually includes a Developer and Consultant Engineer. Albany Public Works staff issues permits for construction of public infrastructure, reviews plans, and provides construction inspection to ensure compliance with Albany’s standards and specifications.
Warranty
It is typical to have a 1-2 year warranty period following the construction and acceptance of public improvements. Inspections are completed to identify if there are any repairs that need to be made before the end of the warranty period.
- Details
