ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - The Dougherty County Commission voted Tuesday, Dec. 23, to approve a new entertainment complex near the Albany Mall. This marks a major milestone for a project that’s been in the works for nearly two decades.

“This is a great way to end 2025, but also going into 2026 with activity and commitment to action on something that will benefit our community,” said Russell Gray, Ward IV County Commissioner.

A Nearly $3 Million dollar Investment

The county and city of Albany plan to invest approximately $2.9 million in SPLOST funds — $1.7 million from the county and $1.2 million from the city.

“Think of birthday parties, think of fellowship, think of bar grill. Think of arcade games, think of outside, maybe like a grass area that has some type of live music, some type of a beverage component,” local private investor, Milan Patel, said.

Patel said the entertainment venue will be mixed with active recreation, creating what he believes will be a unique destination in Georgia.

Regional Draw

Patel said the complex isn’t just local residents — he expects it to become a hub for Southwest Georgia.

“It’s not just an Albany thing. It’ll be Albany, Lee County, Terrell. It’ll be Sylvester. It’ll be Randolph County. They all will come here,” Patel said. “That’s one of the greatest economic triggers of Albany, is that we are an economic hub for Southwest Georgia.”

Economic Catalyst

Commissioner Gray said was eager to vote in Monday’s meeting.

“Once they see [the studio drawing], it will help stimulate additional interest in development and there’s lots of retail availability around that area,” Gray said. “I think it becomes a force multiplier for the entire commercial area.”

Gray said the project has gone through multiple iterations for almost two decades before reaching this point.

“Kind of sat on the back burner and went through a lot of different iterations,” Gray said. “But it is with the help of the private sector that helped create a dream and helped put this into action.”

2027 Projected Completion

Patel said the immediate next steps include design work and approval through the planning process — a phase he estimates will take about four months.

He said construction could begin as early as summer 2026, with completion targeted for late spring 2027.

“I don’t think it’s whether it’s going to happen. I think it’s when it’s going to finish,” Patel said. “Mid-2027, you should see a very beautiful amenity for this community.”

Location Details

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 that also includes a proposed hospitality campus being developed by another local entrepreneur.

Gray said seeing the conceptual studio drawing helped visualize how the pieces will fit together.

“It’s hard to think of the pieces and how they’ll fit when you see asphalt and the foundation of the old Sears building sitting there with its tilt wall,” he said. “But I think the rendering is great. I think it really will help taxpayers and citizens and fans of pickleball and those looking for other entertainment options see what is on the very near horizon.”

Patel expressed hope that the project could serve as a model for other communities.

“Maybe other people will copy us,” he said. “Why not someone look at Albany, Georgia and say, look what they did down there. And other communities say, well, that’s working. It’s successful. It could be a model for other communities to mirror what we’ve done here.”

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