New business roundup: Albany eyesore to transform into multi-purpose building

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – Right now, contractors are demolishing an Albany eyesore that has sat on a busy intersection for years. City leaders say the new project at the old Dawson Road Rite Aid building will create new opportunities for the area.

“Some of these corners that have kind of been sitting vacant and we kind of get frustrated as a community,” said Chad Warbington, an Albany commissioner. “I really believe there’s going to be more commercial developers coming along finding these ways to repurpose these buildings.”

The city commission rezoned the property a couple of months ago. The property will become home to several amenities including Temp Coffee, Planet Smoothie and an Italian Ice Shop. The BP across the street will also be demolished and become a part of the lot. The development will cost roughly a million dollars, including purchase price and construction.

“We’re just really excited for this project to get started. To really take a property that was vacant and dilapidated and to turn it into something, that’s going to be really great for the community,” Warbington said.

While the development shows some progress in economic development, some neighbors say they can’t help but think about all the businesses that have shut down.

“We need new business all the time. New business drives more people to come move into the city instead of leaving. I believe people are leaving Albany more than they’re moving in. These high prices. It’s just tough to start a business right now,” one Albany resident said.

That’s not stopping some small businesses from opening their doors. TCBY, a yogurt shop has returned to Albany after several years of being closed.

“It’s scary to go out on a limb to do something not knowing if it will be successful or not,” said Clay Wiggins, owner of TCBY. “If you want other businesses to come and bring more people to our community, then the people who live here that are residents here have to invest in it.”

Warbington said he believes that will happen over the next couple of years.

“We just hope that some of this growth is happening in other parts of the city will kind of spill into the entire city limits of Albany,” he said.

City leaders expect to have the Dawson Road project finished in the new year.

Here is a list of other developments in the works:

• Warbington said there are $30 million of projects happening around the Albany Mall including Academy Sports and a new hotel
• A new Asian Buffet is coming to Westover Boulevard
• Bath and Body Works has opened a second store in the Dawson Road plaza near PetSmart
• The Historic St. Nicholas Hotel is being renovated in Downtown Albany

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