Albany city commission approves zoning for Academy Sports and Outdoors to Albany Mall
ALBANY, Ga. – The Albany City Commission has reached a decision when it comes to brining a major company to a new home here at the Albany Mall.
The commission has approved the zoning ordinance for Academy Sports and Outdoors to build a store on the Albany Mall’s property.
Ward 1 Commissioner, Jon Howard talks about the decision and why it’s sorely needed.
“We voted overwhelmingly to do it. And, for those that may be watching, tonight it’s one of the fortune 500 companies and it has over 275 stores nationwide. So, it would be a plus for the Albany Mall,” said Jon Howard, Ward 1 Commissioner, City of Albany.
The city is hoping that with this bringing academy in that it will be a small shot in the arm for the city’s economy.
“Local citizens have to patronize these type of stores. However, on Saturday and Sunday, you have hundreds of folks in Albany who will drive to Macon, Columbus, Tallahassee, to patronize stores. We certainly want them to keep the money in the city of Albany, Georgia,” said Commissioner Howard.
As well, they’re hoping that it will generate some interest in the area round the Albany Mall…
With much of the land on the property being left empty and unused…
“Cause the mall opened back in 1974. And, certainly, we have seen a lot of stores, especially your mom and pop stores cannot compete with all the big franchises,” said Commissioner Howard.
But… the city is hoping that developers will be making progress on the mall in the near future.
“The developers said that they should have had in some time in the fall of this year,” said Commissioner Howard.
Howard says the city wants people from around the area to come spend their money at Academy, but that they’ll need to keep working to make the most of the land.
Howard says the city also approved zoning decisions for a pair of hotels in the area near where Academy Sports will operate.
Brian Roche reporting.
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