ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — Albany’s historic Ritz Cultural Center is one step closer to restoration, with federal authorization secured and final design plans submitted to commissioners.

The building has been shuttered since 2011. In 2025, city leaders vowed to revive it.

In a memo from Mayor Bo Dorough, the city said it recently received authorization from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to move forward with the project. According to the memo, an architect presented final design plans to commissioners, and a bid package could be released within two weeks of approval.

Ward 4 Commissioner Chad Warbington said the project has required years of planning and more than $2 million in federal funding secured through Congressman Sanford Bishop’s office.

“We’re at a point where we’re ready to put the project out for bid and citizens can really, hopefully soon, start to see some work happening and see this venue come to life,” Warbington said.

Warbington said once bids are accepted, construction is estimated to take roughly a year. If the project stays on schedule, officials say the Ritz Cultural Center could reopen as early as fall 2027.

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