<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=36j9GF_19aRbPsJ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=36j9GF_19aRbPsJ00" width="1189" height="756" ><figcaption>This is a concept drawing of what the area north of Spicer Drive might some day look like from the air.</figcaption></figure>Does Albany need or want a whole bunch of new buildings including tall apartment houses east of Interstate 5?On Wednesday, three council members said no. But three others said yes, and they had the mayor on their side.The result: Albany will annex 11 tax lots totaling about 37 acres between Spicer Drive and the Walmart supercenter. This paves the way for a consortium of developers, lawyers and architects to pursue a construction project they call the “East Albany Town Center.” The group is organized as a limited liability corporation, whose agent is listed a Damon Olsen of North Albany.The Town Center’s concept calls for more than 900 housing units in various configurations including some seven-story apartment blocks, plus commercial spaces.Council members Carolyn McLeod, Michael Thomson and Steph Newton opposed the annexation as unnecessary or going against the sentiments about growth expressed in last fall’s community survey. Marilyn Smith, Chris Van Drimmelen and Ramycia McGhee voted for it.Mayor Alex Johnson II broke the tie and voted “yes.”For more on the discussion, I refer you to Hans Boyle’s excellent story in the Albany Democrat-Herald.The push for this annexation was on since the council last year approved a staff request to have the city itself be the applicant, saving the developers the trouble.The main question is whether Albany needs a lot more housing east of the freeway. That question may be arise again if and when individual elements of the “town center” come up for approval of site plan details. (hh)<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1AwT7B_19aRbPsJ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1AwT7B_19aRbPsJ00" width="1159" height="869" ><figcaption>This is the land proposed for the “East Albany Town Center” as I saw it in May 2023 from this dead end of Timber Street.</figcaption></figure></div></body>

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Does Albany need or want a whole bunch of new buildings including tall apartment houses east of Interstate 5?. On Wednesday, three council members said no. But three others said yes, and they had the mayor on their side. The result: Albany will annex 11 tax lots totaling about 37...

More growth east of Interstate 5

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Does Albany need or want a whole bunch of new buildings including tall apartment houses east of Interstate 5?. On Wednesday, three council members said no.

More growth east of Interstate 5

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