Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Albany commission backs $2 million land‑bank MOU to spur housing near city assets and medical district
Summary
The commission reviewed a revised memorandum of understanding to provide $2 million to the land bank for housing initiatives, with commissioners directing portions to the medical district and South Side projects; staff will revise the MOU language to reflect the agreed allocations.
The Albany City Commission discussed and moved to refine a memorandum of understanding on June 3 that would make $2 million available to the local land bank for housing initiatives near city‑owned assets and in the medical district.
City Attorney Michael Custer told commissioners the revised MOU responds to earlier requests that one portion of the funds be targeted to the medical district and the remainder be used near city properties and investments. "These are the changes that have been made to the new proposed MOU," Custer said when summarizing modifications.
Commissioners debated how best to allocate the money. Mayor Pro Tem John Howard urged that some of the funds be used to stimulate investment on the South Side, including Story Road and neighborhoods near Dressler Gym and Ragsdale Park. "If we reshuffle this money that we may get a developer that would come and work to invest in the South Side of town," Howard said.
Several commissioners described the MOU as a compromise: one million to focus on the medical district and one million for projects adjacent to city‑owned assets. City Manager Terrell Jacobs confirmed that prior retreat discussion had reached consensus on splitting funds among the medical district and other city sites and that year‑end settlement money and other leveragable sources would supplement the allocation.
Land bank representatives joined the meeting remotely and described near‑term activity. A land bank official, Mr. Hawthorne, said a developer had purchased 18 lots in Ragsdale and planned to break ground on the first permitted house plans this month; the land bank and developer are seeking financial assistance to complete the subdivision. "We have 2 of those house plans that have been presented to the building department for permitting," Hawthorne said, adding the developer has requested financial support.
Commissioners asked staff to revise the MOU wording so it clearly assigns the medical‑district allocation and the land bank portion, and to return with a redlined agreement. No final transfer of funds was announced at the meeting; staff said the MOU would be revised for a future vote.
