Albany Downtown Manager Don Buie says the downtown area is ready for expansion
Downtown Manager Don Buie says the $6 million dollar bond issuance needs to move forward in order to get things rolling in Albany.
During Wednesday night’s Albany-Dougherty Inner City Authority meeting, Buie said several major developers are waiting for the bond to pass before they make a commitment to the downtown area. In February, a Dougherty County citizen moved to intervene in the process and Judge Willie Lockett granted a continuance in the case. The Dougherty County Taxpayers Association is concerned that ADICA wants to use the money without explaining how the money will be used. Buie tells FOX 31 News that competition with other cities prevents a detailed explanation.
“Do we give item by item specifics? No. Why? Because we're in a very competitive world right now with other cities, other large towns and neighborhoods, knew who we were talking to they may try to put a proposal in front of that same developer and then that could be a lost opportunity for us,” said Buie.
Also during the meeting; the Riverfront Skate Park renewed its lease for three years, and Buie announced that the Albany Dollar Square store is scheduled to open downtown next week.