It’s the Neighborhood folks.
In the 1970s, our downtown neighborhood was threatened with a typical old-time Urban Renewal plan designed to tear down most of the buildings and replace them with modern stuff. The Business District would be a shopping mall and the residential area would be apartment houses. When I complained to a friend (Dick Maier) that my home was in the path of destruction, he took action, went to City Hall and signed me up to run for City Council.
I ran hard in 1972 and was elected on the basis that Old Albany was a pretty nice place and the destruction of the downtown didn’t warrant the condemnation and seizure of peoples property. I ran again in 1976 and had to run for and be elected Mayor of Albany in 1978. With other like-minded folks we finally killed that unfortunate Urban Renewal plan. My house and most of Downtown Albany was spared demolition.
I was asked to run again for City Council again in 1998. I was elected in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014. In 2002 we began another Urban Renewal called CARA. This plan is aimed at repair and restoration of infrastructure and the downtown buildings. Most people seem to like old cars, old trains, old streetcars and old buildings when they are made safe, functional and restored to their original appearance. I’m pleased that buildings downtown that has been rebuilt, renovated and restored to original are extremely popular as business locations and as upstairs living spaces. I’d like to see CARA continue in this direction and I appreciated your vote so I could help make it happen.
Often, City Councils and their staffs are absorbed in progress and most any kind of development. I tend to be more concerned with what progress will do to yours and my neighborhoods. I believe great neighborhoods make for happy people and better employees. I’ve stood up and battled City Planners, the Paper and School Board for 42 years to keep and make Albany a unique, enjoyable, livable place. As a result, we have the Monteith House, a Carnegie Library, Central School, and many vintage, historic houses. See my Biography.
In 2005 the City did a study to get your advice on City planning. I suggested the study be called “Great Neighborhoods”. I support revisiting Great Neighborhoods. I appreciated your input and advice on our City’s growth problems.
With respect to growth, I believe zoning rules should allow the homeowner to live in confidence that he or she will not be intruded on by unfortunate developments. Medium density housing should mean duplexes and no more than two stories tall multifamily structures. Apartment houses next to single-family neighborhoods should be illegal. Apartment zones should be buffered from single-family zones by a medium density zone.
I listened to your concerns and helped you fight for the livability of your neighborhood. I’ve been there and done that. I have no conflicts of interest other than my 130-year-old house, so I’m always free to say what needs to be said.