By Steve Lathrop
Albany Democrat-Herald | Posted: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 12:00 am
Despite some safety concerns about increased traffic, the announcement Tuesday that a Lowe's Home Improvement may be opening in Albany has drawn a mostly positive reaction from businesses and homeowners neighboring the proposed site at Ninth Avenue and Oak Street.
"I think the main concern is safety," said Bill O'Bryan, board president of the Boys & Girls Club of Albany. "Any time a new business is going in it's a good thing but there are a lot of issues that need to be looked at."
Planned athletic fields and playground equipment for the club border the Lowe's site on the southwest.
"I don't see much of a conflict between commercial use and the ball fields," said City Manager Wes Hare.
Also, Hare said, a major commercial development would eliminate some of the past problems with transient camps on the site.
Ryan Graves, Boys & Girls Club executive director, said some plans for the area may have to go back to the drawing board but that the club always welcomes new business to the community.
"We have had conversations with the developers and they indicated that some reciprocal parking may be made available for kids and their families, which could address some of our safety concerns," said Graves.
Marlene Simi, who has lived on Oak Street since 1962, had some concerns as well but viewed the possible project favorably.
"I have no objections. We need a store there. I am a little curious as to the traffic it may create on Oak and how trucks will go in and out, but it's better than another 400-unit apartment," she said.
The projected site would include a 125,601-square-foot store and a 31,544-square-foot garden center. It covers nearly 12 acres.
Baysinger Partners Architecture of Portland is proposing the project.
Ping Lee, owner of Ping's Garden Restaurant, which would neighbor the Lowe's on Oak Street, would be happy to see the store built.
"The lot has been empty a long time. I think it's a good thing and would be good for the city," said Lee. "There would be additional traffic and I would like to see that addressed."
Lee's only worry is that customers may have a problem getting in and out of his lot. He would like to see a traffic light considered.