Key Takeaways
- The Dougherty County Commission has approved a new entertainment complex near the Albany Mall, with a nearly $3 million investment from the county and city.
- The complex will feature a mix of active recreation, arcade games, and entertainment options, including a bar and grill, and is expected to become a regional draw for Southwest Georgia.
- The project is expected to be completed by late spring 2027, with construction beginning as early as summer 2026.
- The entertainment complex will be located on the southeastern side of the former Albany Mall property, where the old Sears building once stood.
- The project is seen as a major milestone for the community, with the potential to stimulate additional interest in development and become a force multiplier for the entire commercial area.
Introduction to the Entertainment Complex
The Dougherty County Commission has voted to approve a new entertainment complex near the Albany Mall, marking a major milestone for a project that has been in the works for nearly two decades. The complex will feature a mix of active recreation, arcade games, and entertainment options, including a bar and grill, and is expected to become a regional draw for Southwest Georgia. According to Russell Gray, Ward IV County Commissioner, this is a great way to end 2025 and start 2026, with activity and commitment to action on something that will benefit the community.
Investment and Funding
The county and city of Albany plan to invest approximately $2.9 million in SPLOST funds, with $1.7 million coming from the county and $1.2 million from the city. This significant investment is expected to have a major impact on the local economy, with the potential to stimulate additional interest in development and become a force multiplier for the entire commercial area. Local private investor Milan Patel expressed his excitement about the project, saying that it will be a unique destination in Georgia, featuring a mix of active recreation, arcade games, and entertainment options.
Regional Draw and Economic Impact
The entertainment complex is expected to become a hub for Southwest Georgia, drawing visitors from surrounding counties, including Lee County, Terrell, Sylvester, and Randolph County. Patel believes that the complex will become a major economic trigger for Albany, which is already an economic hub for the region. Commissioner Gray also expects the project to have a significant economic impact, saying that it will help stimulate additional interest in development and become a force multiplier for the entire commercial area.
Project Timeline and Location
The immediate next steps for the project include design work and approval through the planning process, which is expected to take about four months. Construction could begin as early as summer 2026, with completion targeted for late spring 2027. 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, which also includes a proposed hospitality campus being developed by another local entrepreneur.
Community Benefits and Potential
The entertainment complex is expected to have a major impact on the local community, providing a unique destination for residents and visitors alike. Patel expressed hope that the project could serve as a model for other communities, saying that maybe other people will copy us and look at Albany, Georgia as an example of a successful project. Commissioner Gray also believes that the project will have a significant impact on the community, saying that it will help stimulate additional interest in development and become a force multiplier for the entire commercial area.
Conclusion and Future Plans
In conclusion, the approval of the entertainment complex near the Albany Mall is a major milestone for the community, with the potential to stimulate additional interest in development and become a force multiplier for the entire commercial area. With a projected completion date of late spring 2027, the complex is expected to become a regional draw for Southwest Georgia, providing a unique destination for residents and visitors alike. As the project moves forward, it will be exciting to see the impact it has on the local community and the region as a whole.
