After a year, the trees are returning to downtown Albany!

A coalition of Mid-Valley communities led by the City of Corvallis is pursuing a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to fund brownfields assessment work. This grant will give the entire region an opportunity to take a fresh look at vacant and underutilized properties in the area. This is an important first step toward evaluating reuse and redevelopment opportunities for these properties. The event will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 8 at the downtown Corvallis Fire Station, 400 NW Harrison Blvd. Brief staff presentations will take place at 5:15 and 6:15 p.m. The public is invited to join us and learn more about the grant and the work that it could help fund. https://www.facebook.com/events/297661347385903/

Albany city government needs you. Apply now for appointment to advisory boards, commissions and committees. Applicants must live within Albany’s jurisdictional city limits unless otherwise specified below. The City advisory groups are: Airport Advisory Commission [No fewer than four members shall have their principal place of residence within the jurisdictional city limits.] Albany Arts Commission Albany Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission Albany Budget Committee Building Board of Appeals Central Albany Revitalization Area Advisory Board City Tree Commission [Applicants who either own property or maintain a business within the city of Albany do not need to be city residents.] Community Development Commission Human Relations Commission Landmarks Advisory Commission Parks & Recreation Commission Planning Commission Public Safety Commission Traffic Safety Commission Transient Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Citizens are limited to serving simultaneously on only one of the four following panels that have the greatest influence on Council decisions: Budget Committee, Library Board, Parks & Recreation Commission, and Planning Commission. Deadline for submitting an application to serve on one of the boards, commissions, or committees is 5:00 p.m. Friday, December 8, 2017. For more information or an application, interested persons can stop by City Hall, 333 Broadalbin Street SW; phone the City Manager’s Office at 541-917-7508; or visit the City’s website: for information http://www.cityofalbany.net/bcc-vacancies; for an application: http://www.cityofalbany.net/city-council/bcc. Appointments will begin in January 2018.

Check the fire extinguishers in your vehicles and home. They may be part of a recall.

Nominations are open for 2017 Human Relations Awards, sponsored by Albany Human Relations Commission. Details here: http://ow.ly/d/6Y9G

We invite you to discover Downtown Albany! TOMORROW, November 2 “Downtown Unwrapped” Holiday Open House Come Downtown on November 2nd from 5-8 pm to see the unveiling of merchant’s holiday windows! Stop in at Downtown businesses for a Holiday Open House. Get a head start on your holiday shopping and have dinner at one of Downtown’s acclaimed restaurants. Don’t forget to try a special “unwrapped” cocktail or dessert! Visit www.albanydowntown.com for a list of participating locations. November 11 Veterans Day Parade The largest Veterans Day Parade west of the Mississippi is Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 in Downtown Albany. The 65th annual parade begins its march through the streets Downtown at 11 a.m. Don’t miss this incredible experience and a chance to say thank you to all our veterans who have given their time and often their lives to protect our freedom. For more information: albanyveteransdayparade.org

A timely reminder to sign up for Linn Benton Alert.

Recreation Programs Manager position vacancy. App deadline: 11:59 p.m., Sunday, December 3. http://ow.ly/dNyE30gg83D

City Bridges newsletter, November 2017 -

DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE UPDATE The second phase of the Albany Downtown Streetscape Project continues this fall, but work will slow as the end of the year and winter weather approach. The $8.5 million, two-phase project to improve streets in the downtown core area began in January 2017. The first phase, primarily around the Albany Post Office, was completed in May. Sewer, water, and storm drain lines were upgraded; curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and street trees were replaced; parking spaces were added; and parking patterns were altered to improve traffic flow and safety. The second phase continues underground work, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and trees along Second and Third avenues from Washington to Lyon streets, and Ellsworth and Lyon streets from First to Ninth avenues. When completed, the listed streets will also be repaved and restriped. Concrete work and other finishing touches are still underway, and contractors will start planting new trees on Second and Third avenues in November 2017. Light poles for new pedestrian streetlights will go in at the same time. Power to the new poles is expected a couple of months following their installation. Preparing for winter in areas without ongoing construction, streets will be cleared of construction debris; steel plates and temporary asphalt patches will be replaced with hot asphalt patches; parking will be restored and temporary marks placed for on-street parking, if needed; and construction equipment, materials, and signs will be removed. The intent is to provide clean streets and sidewalks between when general construction is complete and final paving can be completed in the spring or summer of 2018. The City and contractor planned early on to accommodate the November 11, 2017, Veterans’ Day Parade along with other special events in the downtown throughout the duration of the project. Businesses in the area have remained open throughout the work and are ready to welcome customers over the holiday season.

The boat dock at Takena Landing Park has been closed temporarily due to a large piece of debris that is stuck underneath. The dock is tilted and unstable. It will be reopened if the debris dislodges and weather permits. The dock is removed every year as winter approaches. A new dock will replace the existing one in the spring of 2018, thanks in part to a generous grant from the Oregon State Marine Board. For more information, call Albany Parks & Recreation, 541-917-7777.

Albany City Council work session today at 4 pm; City Council meeting Weds., Oct. 25 at 7:15 pm: http://ow.ly/UEPL30g4m1T