Sustainable City Year Reports 2016-17 (Albany)
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Item Open Access Passive Heated Building Proposals(University of Oregon, 2017) Speck, Craig; Rempel, AlexandraThe City of Albany looked to University of Oregon architecture students to gather climate and microclimate information for Monteith Park and use it to quantify local heating needs and monthly net solar heating resources. Student teams developed passive solar designs for park restrooms, a sunspace off the current senior center, and a greenhouse, incorporating spatial, experiential, and computational components on selected buildings and sites with the City of Albany. Students and faculty collaborated with city staff to help realize the goals of the project. Students carried out a site analysis focusing on the climate, microclimate, and any ecologies that could affect their designs. Understanding the site’s sun exposure and shading were key components to producing a well-informed design. A device called a “Solar Pathfinder” was used to determine site solar exposure and shading. Shading masks were produced to visually show how surrounding trees and structures could inhibit solar collection on a site. Off-site study mainly focused on the use of EnergyPlus, a software used to run simulations for passively heated design. Climate data from the region was used to obtain the site’s monthly solar resource and solar radiation levels. Using Climate Consultant, students studied how tilting surfaces could vary solar gain results. The “max tilt” was found to gather the maximum solar radiation during winter months. Most projects had a max tilt between 23 and 35 degrees. Common elements in design proposals included: Direct and indirect solar gain to extend the thermal comfort season into March and November; adaptable and climate oriented buildings; accessible and inclusive spaces; low cost buildings; and moveable insulation. Student designs successfully extended the thermal comfort season utilizing proper thermal mass, windows, and insulation. The use of moveable insulation was an important aspect of this project and made a notable difference in performance. However, proper performance of moveable insulation relies heavily on a quality seal around its edges. If a proper seal cannot be maintained, moveable insulation should not be used.Item Open Access Linking Nature and History(University of Oregon, 2017) Goldberg, Landon; Ribe, Robert; Finney, KevinAlbany has a vibrant historic downtown and a beautiful waterfront park. However, the links between the two are not particularly frequent, inviting, or pedestrian- friendly. This proposal analyzes natural site conditions and the existing built environment to locate the optimal spots where such links could most productively be strengthened. Surface geology conditions, topography, existing railroad crossings, view corridors from public transit, and vehicle circulation factors converged to suggest several points of intervention. This proposal recommends the addition of crosswalks, bus shelters, entrance markers such as arches and planter boxes, a new small park, and stormwater quality planters in order to make the connections between the downtown and the riverfront safer, more pleasant, more active, and more visible. Additionally, this proposal o ers suggestions on the possible redevelopment of Water Street to enhance that transitional zone. Two possible zoning priorities are suggested: The street could become an extension of the park, providing a larger open space that can host more recreation opportunities and services, or alternatively, it could be a place for mixed-use development, which could draw people from the shops of historic downtown to enjoy co ee or dinner along the water, and will bring more residents to the area who can shop downtown and enjoy the river. Either proposal would make the crossings between the waterfront and the downtown more enjoyable and desirable.Item Open Access Bicycle Transportation in the City of Albany(2017) McNeill, Mikaila; Schlossberg, MarcThis report documents the ideas, methodologies, and proposals produced by students of the University of Oregon’s Bicycle Transportation class for the City of Albany, Oregon. Albany saw much of its growth during a period when the individual freedom given by automobiles was considered the main viable form of transportation, and all other forms of transportation were shifted away from mainstream society. Like other small cities, Albany developed as an auto-centric highway town. For this reason, the development of infrastructure has been based largely on the automobile as the primary mode of transportation.Item Open Access Remote Sensing Technologies and Techniques for Parks and Historic Asset Management in Albany, Oregon(University of Oregon, 2017) Major, James; Kohler, Nick; Behrens, SylerThe City of Albany, Oregon has iden ed three main objec ves to assist city sta to manage, analyze, and visualize historic aerial images for the purposes of parks and recrea on, as well as manage historic assets. The University of Oregon Remote Sensing class, Geography 486/586, supported these e orts by genera ng the frameworks for these projects, mostly as descrip ons of proof of concept projects. Sample outputs from these projects, along with detailed descrip ons of how to recreate and expand upon them can help the city and its ci zens going forward as the technologies and techniques described within become more available and accessible, in both extent and cost. An example of this is LIDAR technology. LIDAR will become more common in the near future, allowing for ongoing change detec on and analysis. One of the class’s main objec ves was to look at the future possibili es and uses for remotely sensed data for park management and planning, for which LIDAR may prove to be cri cally important. Another important goal for the class was to examine the possibili es of remote sensing technology in historic asset management. Students worked on data storage and management techniques, including the crea on of databases and websites that can store and disseminate informa on as needed or desired. Another project explored the manipula on of historic aerial imagery using current technologies such as Structure from Mo on to create digital orthophotos and three-dimensional so ware to show what the City of Albany looked like from the air over eighty years ago.The class iden ed three objec ves to help Albany manage, analyze, and visualize historic aerial images for the purposes of parks and recrea on, as well as manage historic assets. These objec ves are: 1. Create a database of geospa ally registered images and maps. 2. Provide analysis and visualiza ons for park and historic asset management and planning. 3. Discuss future needs and possibili es for the use of remote sensing technologies for park and historic asset management and planning. In order to sa sfy these goals, students completed individual nal projects that explored speci c ways to assist the City of Albany with their objec ves. Student projects can be classi ed into three general categories: Uses of current remote sensing technologies, manipula on of historical imagery with current technologies, and data storage and management.Item Open Access Communication Plan for Albany Parks & Recreation Strategic Planning and Cases(University of Oregon, 2017) Rasubala, Rian; Matthews, KelliThe City of Albany’s Parks & Recrea on Department (P&R) worked with public rela ons students at the University of Oregon to nd solu ons to increase community engagement and improve trust among Albany residents. The following report includes recommenda ons from ve di erent plans created by student teams during the academic term, with each team developing solu ons to increase community engagement in the City of Albany. Separated into individual team projects, this report includes strategies and tac cs for social media, strategic partnerships, event planning, media rela ons, promo onal materials, and content crea on as tools for increased community engagement and trust. By targe ng various publics, including children, adults, senior ci zens, and the La no community, Albany P&R has the opportunity to increase community engagement and public trust.Item Open Access Activating Albany's Downtown Waterfront(2017) Heese, Brianna; Ribe, RobRecently, the City of Albany, Oregon, carried out a major revitalization of its historic First Avenue and restored much business and activity to its downtown district. However, historic Water Avenue, which was a site for logging mills and industry along the riverfront, remains relatively unused. The primary purpose of this road in relation to downtown is its many parking lots and access to the Dave Clark River Trail. The city desires to bring new life to its old industrial waterfront by incorporating Water Avenue back into the heart of downtown. In addition, the city would like to see Monteith Park, a local gem for summer concerts, reconnected with downtown and allied to the new Historic Carousel attraction that will open across the street from the park. With these goals in mind, students were tasked to provide the city with detailed designs that explored multiple options for the future development of Water Avenue and Monteith Park.Item Open Access Historic Preservation Campaign(University of Oregon, 2017) Robertson, LanceThe City of Albany primarily uses its website to provide information and resources concerning the historic districts for homeowners. However, the homeowners have to seek this information out themselves rather than the City of Albany reaching out and having a proactive communication strategy. We recommend a communication strategy that targets historic building owners, current and prospective, and begins the line of communication so that the City of Albany’s mission is disseminated efficiently. While general awareness about the historic districts is high, misconceptions and false information are common due to the lack of proactive communication from the Historic Preservation Department. Instead of having Historic Preservation as its own section on the city’s website, users have to click on Departments, click on Community Development, then go on to Historic Preservation. Even though Historic Preservation does not need to be the featured page on the website, having to search for the information does not help create awareness. It would be beneficial for the City of Albany to create a Facebook page specifically for the Historic District and Preservation and link it to the front page of the City of Albany’s site or create a tab for the department that isn’t hidden.Item Open Access Nonprofit Strategy Optimization in Albany, Oregon(2017) Loigman, Dylan; Mason, DyanaProfessor Dyana Mason’s Nonprofit Consultancy class worked in three groups to advise Albany community members and city staff in three distinct subject areas. Students assessed the current state of the Albany Senior Center Foundation (ASCF), the Albany Parks and Recreation Foundation (APRF), and the Albany Parks and Recreation Department (APRD) to provide detailed recommendations for the future goals of these organizations.Item Open Access Geographic Information Systems Housing Analysis in Albany, Oregon(University of Oregon, 2017) Portwood, Paige; Kohler, NickThe University of Oregon’s GIScience 2 students collaborated with the City of Albany, Oregon, to gather, organize, synthesize, and map geospatial information. Albany is interested in better understanding the segregation patterns of underrepresented demographic populations like racial/ethnic minority groups, low income individuals or families, people with disabilities, and seniors. GIS students used these potential segregation factors and compared them to access or availability of amenities and services. The students were divided into ve groups to cover a greater variance of ndings: Housing Patterns and Needs, Access to Opportunity, Segregation/Integration of Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups, Publicly Supported Housing Analysis, and Disability and Access Analysis. City of Albany sta will be able to utilize this report to visualize spatial patterns of segregation, areas of concentrated populations, and potentially use this information as a reference in the future to promote greater integration.Students were divided into ve groups and focused on di erent areas of fair housing: Housing Patterns and Needs, Disparities in Access to Opportunity, Segregation/ Integration of Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups, Publicly Supported Housing Analysis, and Disability and Access Analysis. Within these categories, each student chose a speci c topic to focus on; individually, students compiled data, conducted spatial analyses, and created a map(s). In collaboration with City of Albany sta , students used existing city data, plans, market strategies, and maps as frameworks to create quality maps using Geographic Information System (GIS). The fair housing group concentrations are de ned as: 1. Housing Patterns and Needs based on disproportionate opportunities for population or household characteristics such as tenure availability, race/ethnicity, income, family status, or housing age. 2. Disparities in Access to Opportunity measures the accessibility of certain population groups to living amenities such as transit, parks, schools, or grocery stores. 3. Segregation and Integration of Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups displays how racial/ ethnic groups are dispersed or concentrated, while also identifying racial/ethnic groups that may experience the highest level of segregation. 4. Publicly Supported Housing Analysis seeks to identify demographic patterns of residents who live in public housing or in surrounding areas. 5. Disability and Access Analysis is a spatial analysis showing where persons with disabilities are geographically dispersed or concentrated and what services are accessible, or within close proximity to where they live.Item Open Access Reinterpreting Culture and Nature as Productive Infrastructure East Thornton Lake Natural Area(University of Oregon, 2017) Sund, Nicholas; Abelman, JacquesThe City of Albany owns a 26-acre property beside Thornton Lake that is slated to become a future park and nature preserve. The site has historically been used for private homesteading and agriculture but has since become wild elds and woodlands. The community supported the City of Albany’s interest in purchasing the land to protect it from private development and preserve its natural character. A new public park at Thornton Lake would create new opportuni es for the community while protec ng a piece of its unique natural landscape. This project aims to support recrea on and community agriculture, and to restore habitats for endangered species. In each of these endeavors, the project strives to educate visitors about Albany’s rich history and invites them to imagine its future.In order to be er understand the context of our project, our team studied Albany’s environmental, social, and economic background. Our team collected background informa on for the project from personal site visits, interviews with city sta , and previous studies and plans. Through our research, we iden ed current strengths and weaknesses that could inspire the design process and iden ed possible opportuni es and challenges that could impact the project. Our research is divided into ve themes that range in scale from the en re city to the project site itself: • Current Condi ons • Culture and Economy • Environment and Ecology • Agriculture and Food Systems • Urban DevelopmentItem Open Access Cartographic Visualization of Parks, Trails, and Recreation Centers in Albany, Oregon(University of Oregon, 2017) Miley, Emily; Meacham, James; Hendricks, LaurenIn order to aid the City of Albany’s Park and Recreation Department (P&R) in the creation and visualization of their 2017 P&R Master Plan and to help serve the growing population, Albany partnered with the Sustainable City Year Program (SCYP) at the University of Oregon. SCYP students strive to aid the Parks and Recreation Department in e ectively showing areas of access, opportunity, and amenities across Albany. P&R hopes to expand funding to areas that may serve greater areas of the population while the City of Albany hopes to connect riverfront parks and amenities with other areas of the city by means of trails and bike networks. They also hope to utilize the results produced by students to analyze areas for increased funding to promote usage by the public. In order to help visualize accessibility, cost, and location variables, the City of Albany collaborated with an Advanced Cartography class at the University of Oregon, to nd ways to seamlessly present large amounts of information in one layout. By utilizing basic design principles, the students worked with ArcMap and Adobe Illustrator to e ectively portray existing and proposed trails, park locations, maintenance costs, and accessibility, and recreation center access.City of Albany P&R sought to visualize recreation facilities within the city in order to help increase accessibility for the growing population. The students used parks and recreation data to map existing amenities as well as possible areas for growth and funding. Students mapped recreation trail systems, as well as parks, recreation centers, and park and facility maintenance costs. Students used cartographic principles to e ectively display the parks and recreation amenities for the P&R Master Plan.Item Open Access Historic Preservation and Revitalization of Albany(University of Oregon, 2016) Matthews, KelliThe City of Albany Historic Preserva on Program partnered with the University of Oregon (UO) School of Journalism and Communica ons’ Public Rela ons Strategic Planning and Cases class to improve historic homeowners’ involvement, interest, and awareness in historic preserva on while revitalizing rela onships with the Albany Heritage All-Star Community agencies. Students addressed these issues in ve teams and created original strategic communica ons plans containing several sec ons: History and Background; Internal and External Analyses; Communica ons Audit; Problem and Goal Statements; Objec ves, Strategies, and Tac cs; Key Publics; Key Messaging; Evalua on; Calendar; and Budget. Each group developed several di erent strategies and tac cs to help solve Albany’s pressing communica ons needs. Key strategies and tac cs include: • Redesign and update informa on related to the Historic Preserva on Program on the City of Albany website. • Strengthen communica on and coordina on with the Albany Heritage All-Star Community agencies, in par cular the Albany Visitors Associa on, as well as other historic preserva on stakeholders. • Conduct more outreach to homeowners, realtors, developers, and contractors via social media, newsle ers, open houses, special events, handouts, presenta ons, and other tools. • Increase the number and types of events that take place during Historic Preserva on month (May). • Update codes, ordinances, and regula ons where possible.Item Open Access Eat, Play, Shop: Downtown Albany Re-Imagined(University of Oregon, 2016) So, Kevin Eugene; Moore, JosephThis report summarizes the student design proposals for redeveloping three sites in downtown Albany, Oregon. University of Oregon Architecture students were tasked with iden fying op ons to increase ac vity within the respec ve sites in the downtown region. The projects were divided into three separate proposals; these three integrated architectural components consis ng of the categories “eat, shop, and play” worked together to increase downtown ac vity. Students conducted site analyses for the respec ve project loca ons, developingdesign proposals with assistance from city o cials, and architectural and business professionals. Students presented to the City of Albany sta and elected o cials during both beginning and nal phases of their design concepts. Architecture students at the University of Oregon completed design proposals for redeveloping the City of Albany's downtown. The class, led by architectural professional and adjunct professor Joseph Moore, ar culate solu ons that increase ac vity and vitality in downtown Albany.Working within the goals of the Albany Retail Re nement Plan, students approached downtown revitaliza on through the lens of equity. Three sites iden ed for redevelopment cover three unique programs that focus around the concepts of food equity, economic equity, and social equity. Each student designed for one of these three sites. This report is a summary of students' work and recommenda ons.Item Open Access Operating and Capital Funding Proposal(University of Oregon, 2016) Deiters, MaryBeth; Lewis, RebeccaThere are a total of 36 city parks in Albany and the city aims to build a community where everyone within the city limits lives within two miles of a park. Albany’s Parks and Recrea on (P&R) Department is responsible for the maintenance of these parks as well as maintaining a pool, senior center, veteran’s memorial, eight trails, and an urban forestry program (Hodney, 2016). The P&R Department further coordinates sports and recrea on programs, and promotes several fes vals and a concert series drawing signi cant tourism into the city (City of Albany, 2016). Through these parks, programs, and center, Albany’s P&R Department increases the quality of life for its residents, as well as the city’s recrea onal opportuni es. In collabora on with Ed Hodney, P&R Director, and P&R sta , graduate students in the Public Budget Administra on class were tasked with researching, evalua ng, and recommending new funding strategies. Opera ng and capital budget needs were considered separately by student groups. Three groups focused on opera ng needs and four focused on capital needs. While addressing the deferred maintenance de cit was not a part of the project, several funding strategies include ways to cover these expenses as well.Item Open Access Water Reclamation Facility Biosolids Market Analysis(University of Oregon, 2016) Skov, JoshuaThe University of Oregon Master of Business Administra on and Master of Accoun ng students collaborated in Joshua Skov’s graduate-level course in Industrial Ecology (MGMT 641), inves ga ng the possibili es for the marke ng and sale of outputs from the treatment of wastewater (sewage) at the Albany Water Reclama on Facility. In the city’s previous wastewater treatment facility, sludge was processed into Class B Biosolids and given to grass seed farmers in the area. In the city's current wastewater treatment facility, the city conducted a compos ng pilot project. The goal of this project was to iden fy markets for the composted biosolids as well as poten al local partners, and make recommenda ons for the structure and details of poten al projects. In addi on to considering the exis ng grass seed market, the class researched the poten al markets by conduc ng surveys of farmers around Albany, Oregon. The farms include hops, pears, dryland wheat, blueberries, and christmas trees. Students selected these markets based on the environmental bene ts of biosolids to agriculture, forestry, and land reclama on. Students researched best prac ces from around the country and summarized successful implementa ons. They selected and researched treatment facili es with similar loca ons, community size served, an existence of public- private partnerships, and/or classi ca on of biosolids and their subsequent applica ons. They then explored the types of poten al bulking material. The addi on of bulking material is a cri cal component to the compos ng process for crea ng higher class biosolids. Students examined bulking materials in use across a wide range of biosolids and other organic waste compos ng processes. Research revealed three primary types of compost opera ons: Aerated Windrows, In Vessel, and Anaerobic Biodiges on. Lastly, the class assessed the possibility of a public-private partnership. Students met with several private corpora ons that partner with public ins tu ons to create value for all stakeholders in a solid waste management system. The research revealed the chemical and environmental value of biosolids, but that given public percep on, biosolid-derived fer lizer cannot compete against plen ful, cheap synthe c fer lizers derived from natural gas. The class suggests a series of considera ons for Albany. They also suggest immediate explora on of a partnership deal under a Design-Build-Operate (DBO) model. The City of Albany can seek reduced cost funding under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF).Item Open Access Preparing for a Cultural Inventory in Albany, Oregon(University of Oregon, 2016) Tully, Hillary; Flood, BillThe Community Cultural Development class in the Arts and Administra on Department at the University of Oregon was asked to present a plan to the City of Albany, Oregon, that would help the city develop a cultural inventory. Throughout the term, students researched about the city using online resources and in-person interviews. Students also surveyed a broad range of cultural inventory methodology and examples from around the country. The class created a list of ac on steps for Albany to complete their own cultural inventory. They documented the input of leaders in the community on local assets and project design. Students also compiled a list of preliminary cultural assets. The class makes recommenda ons to include youth engagement, communica on, and informal and occupa onal arts in Albany’s cultural inventory. Community cultural development is a collabora ve e ort between ar sts and community members to ar culate a community’s iden ty, concerns, and aspira ons through the arts and communica on media. The Community Cultural Development class in the Arts and Administra on Program at the University of Oregon was asked to develop recommenda ons that would help the city envision and implement a cultural inventory. A cultural inventory is a list of the arts- and culture-oriented assets that enrich community life in the city.Item Open Access Albany Water Avenue Corridor Revitalization: Challenges and Opportunities(University of Oregon, 2016) Johnduff, Michael; Margerum, Rich; Parker, Robert; Rosenburg, StacyThe City of Albany partnered with the Planning, Public Policy, and Management Department through the Sustainable City Year Program to help the city generate ideas for ac va ng the Water Street corridor and to consider its connec ons to the downtown historic core through analysis and research of catalyst sites. This document summarizes the methodology, ndings, and recommenda ons. These include: an entertainment complex, targe ng the need for ac vity in the area; a historical walk, addressing the changing iden ty of the district; a parkway, addressing the need for connec vity in the site; an innova on district, diversifying the economy in the area; and a food hub, genera ng needed commercial synergy.