Albany commissioners overturn preservation decision

Phoebe Health Systems CEO Scott Steiner reacts to Albany High repurposing plan

ALBANY, GA- Following an appeal hearing this morning, the Albany City Commission voted 7-0 to overturn the Historic Preservation Commission’s decision that prevented Phoebe and Albany Technical College from moving ahead with plans to build a living & learning community on the site of the former Albany High/Middle School on Jefferson St.

“We are pleased to be able to move forward with our partnership with Albany Technical College to build a living and learning community on our main campus,” says Phoebe CEO Scott Steiner.

” This transformative project will dramatically increase the number of new nurses in our area and is critically important to our healthcare workforce development efforts.  In response to the worsening nationwide nurse staffing crisis, we must quickly increase the pipeline of available nurses in our region to ensure residents in and around Albany continue to have access to safe, quality, comprehensive healthcare.  We will seek proper construction permits immediately and will begin work on the project as soon as possible.

We are grateful that Albany City Commissioners recognize this project is entirely in keeping with the character of the surrounding area and the historic use of the premises for education and that they support the positive impact the living and learning center will have on the delivery of healthcare and the economy in our community for generations to come.  We thank commissioners for their vote today and are excited about the benefits the people of southwest Georgia will reap because of their decision.”