City leaders tour blighted neighborhood, dilapidated properties in East Albany

ALBANY, Ga. – Albany city leaders are giving an eye-opening look at dilapidated properties in East Albany and are asking the community for solutions.

The city hosted a walking tour through an East Albany neighborhood Tuesday to take a look at a few blighted properties…

Followed by giving residents a chance to ask questions about what the city is going to do.

“What are the resources that you need to pass on to them so they can sustain what has been provided for them? When you look at a neighborhood, it makes you feel a little sad about how some folks are living. That’s one of the things we talked about, when the community comes in…” said Chief Michael Persley, Albany Police Department.

The area toured was incorporated into Albany’s Ward 1 following the 2020 census.

Many of the people who spoke up to city leaders during the Q & A session wanted a concrete idea on how the city can start improving it.

“I wanted to see what their vision was in the city to turn this place around. I wanted to see how they will coordinate and develop the city that has been begging at this point for help to create a difference and change. And what their tactics are for coming together on a common agenda,” said Alexis Parker, East Albany resident.

Many of the people we spoke to during the tour off camera say that the neighborhood’s only major problem is poverty…

And, that makes the potential solution a little more abstract.

“When we look at discussions we have in the future about the City of Albany, even today, these are things we always take in to consideration. What ever matter it is we’re discussing, but that’s just from my perspective…” said Chief Michael Persley, Albany Police Department.

But, with a couple of passion filled questions from long-time residents, they hope that city leaders understand the message.

“The people, the non-profits, the community members, we have to continue to come together on a common agenda, to continue to put that pressure on the people we elect, because they are our spokespeople. So it’s to persevere, to keep going and we’re doing what we can to continue to show up,” said Alexis Parker, East Albany resident.

While Tuesday’s walking tour is just to get the ball rolling, Commissioner Howard and other city leaders are hoping the public feedback and deep questions can stir some significant change.

Ward 1 Commissioner Jon Howard also spoke about renovations to public buildings like the Bill Miller Community Center, which had been built in the 1970s.

Brian Roche reporting.

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