ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) —Albany city leaders are looking at new ways to bring people downtown as they work through what the next phase of downtown development could look like.

Central Commons was one of the major concepts discussed during a downtown development retreat.

The proposed project would transform the parking lot at the northeast corner of Washington Street and Pine Avenue into a public gathering space.

The concept includes a lawn for activities and events, a stage, a paved plaza, and planters. Parking would remain on the east side of the property near the Riverfront Resource Center.

City leaders discussed whether creating a new downtown gathering space could help generate the foot traffic needed to attract more private developers and businesses.

City leaders also discussed the possibility of adding a zip line attraction downtown.

One idea for the zipline location is from the Ray Charles Park green space to where the skatepark will be rebuilt.

The idea is based in part on data about what residents and visitors want to see in Albany, but the project is further down the city’s list of priorities.

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