ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – The Dougherty County Commission voted Monday, Dec. 23, to approve a new entertainment complex near the Albany Mall. This marks a major milestone for a project that\u2019s been in the works for nearly two decades.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a great way to end 2025, but also going into 2026 with activity and commitment to action on something that will benefit our community,\u201d said Russell Gray, Ward IV County Commissioner.<\/p>\n
A Nearly $3 Million dollar Investment<\/b><\/p>\n
The county and city of Albany plan to invest approximately $2.9 million in SPLOST funds \u2014 $1.7 million from the county and $1.2 million from the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cThink of birthday parties, think of fellowship, think of bar grill. Think of arcade games, think of outside, maybe like a grass area that has some type of live music, some type of a beverage component,\u201d local private investor, Milan Patel, said.<\/p>\n
Patel said the entertainment venue will be mixed with active recreation, creating what he believes will be a unique destination in Georgia.<\/p>\n
Regional Draw<\/b><\/p>\n
Patel said the complex isn\u2019t just local residents \u2014 he expects it to become a hub for Southwest Georgia.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just an Albany thing. It\u2019ll be Albany, Lee County, Terrell. It\u2019ll be Sylvester. It\u2019ll be Randolph County. They all will come here,\u201d Patel said. \u201cThat\u2019s one of the greatest economic triggers of Albany, is that we are an economic hub for Southwest Georgia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Economic Catalyst<\/b><\/p>\n
Commissioner Gray said was eager to vote in Monday\u2019s meeting. <\/p>\n
\u201cOnce they see [the studio drawing], it will help stimulate additional interest in development and there\u2019s lots of retail availability around that area,\u201d Gray said. \u201cI think it becomes a force multiplier for the entire commercial area.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gray said the project has gone through multiple iterations for almost two decades before reaching this point.<\/p>\n
\u201cKind of sat on the back burner and went through a lot of different iterations,\u201d Gray said. \u201cBut it is with the help of the private sector that helped create a dream and helped put this into action.\u201d<\/p>\n
2027 Projected Completion<\/b><\/p>\n
Patel said the immediate next steps include design work and approval through the planning process \u2014 a phase he estimates will take about four months.<\/p>\n
He said construction could begin as early as summer 2026, with completion targeted for late spring 2027.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s whether it\u2019s going to happen. I think it\u2019s when it\u2019s going to finish,\u201d Patel said. \u201cMid-2027, you should see a very beautiful amenity for this community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Location Details<\/b><\/p>\n
The entertainment complex will be located on the southeastern side of the former Albany Mall property, where the old Sears building once stood. The site is part of a larger redevelopment of the mall area that also includes a proposed hospitality campus being developed by another local entrepreneur.<\/p>\n Gray said seeing the conceptual studio drawing helped visualize how the pieces will fit together.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hard to think of the pieces and how they\u2019ll fit when you see asphalt and the foundation of the old Sears building sitting there with its tilt wall,\u201d he said. \u201cBut I think the rendering is great. I think it really will help taxpayers and citizens and fans of pickleball and those looking for other entertainment options see what is on the very near horizon.\u201d<\/p>\n Patel expressed hope that the project could serve as a model for other communities.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe other people will copy us,\u201d he said. \u201cWhy not someone look at Albany, Georgia and say, look what they did down there. And other communities say, well, that\u2019s working. It\u2019s successful. It could be a model for other communities to mirror what we\u2019ve done here.\u201d<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? <\/i>Let us know.<\/i><\/a> Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/i><\/p>\n To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on <\/i>Facebook<\/i><\/a> and <\/i>X (Twitter)<\/i><\/a>. For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the <\/i>Apple Store<\/i><\/a> or <\/i>Google Play<\/i><\/a>. <\/i><\/p>\n Copyright 2025 WALB. All rights reserved.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Dougherty](\"https:\/\/gray-walb-prod.gtv-cdn.com\/resizer\/v2\/PCWRX6H7VJGC5IWHFF6W7DGZTI.jpg?auth=e398c7a3cc594814128b0660aac3afeea5dcfb90ba80cd5d3743e99c59f00f30&width=980&height=551&smart=true\")
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