ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Albany city leaders are reconsidering plans for the former Pretoria Fields brewery, with staff now recommending the rejection of the only bid received for the space and a shift toward a multi-use development model.

Socius Beer Collective submitted the sole bid to take over the building last summer. City leaders say concerns about operating costs — including utility bills near $7,000 a month — and the size of existing brewing equipment have raised questions about whether a microbrewery could sustain operations there.

Bid rejection recommended

Ward 2 City Commissioner Willie Weaver said the brewing tanks currently in the facility are too large for the Albany market.

“I’m told those tanks for mass distribution throughout the United States are just too large for Albany and too large for that facility,” Weaver said. “I repeat that a brewery alone, from what I understand, is not something that’s popular anymore. And it won’t be sustained if it comes just to be a brewery. It won’t have a long life.”

Multi-vendor model under consideration

Staff is now recommending the city reject the Socius bid and explore a different vision for the space. Albany Downtown Manager Lequrica Gaskins said data support pairing a brewery or winery concept with additional anchor tenants.

“What we have learned is that the data shows that the brewery and the wineries are more successful when they come along with other anchor tenants,” Gaskins said. “And those tenants can include things like our food, being able to offer restaurant opportunities and eatery opportunities as well.”

The proposed concept would include food, a full bar, and entertainment options aimed at drawing a college-age crowd.

Rebid timeline and Socius still in play

If leaders choose to rebid the project, the process could take another 30 to 60 days. Socius Beer Collective would not be excluded from the new process and could participate in a multi-use plan.

The original owners of Pretoria Fields were previously encouraged by the mayor to play a role in the site’s future, but city leaders say those owners are no longer interested in returning.

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