Albany Museum of Art asks Dougherty County for $1.7 million to finish downtown move

The Albany Museum of Art asked the Dougherty County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 16 to contribute an additional $1.7 million to a $25.1 million downtown relocation project so the museum can put construction out to bid and break ground in 2025. "We respectfully seek the following funding for our downtown construction project. An additional contribution of $1,700,000 from Dougherty County, which would bring the county total to $3,000,000," said Andy Wolf, executive director of the museum.

Wolf described the new facility as a 58,000-square-foot museum — more than double the size of the current building — with expanded galleries, studios, a sculpture garden, a cafe and collection storage. He said the project would draw about 25,000 visitors annually, nearly double the museum's current year-to-date total, and estimated the museum's five-year contribution to the regional economy at roughly $21 million.

Wolf told commissioners the museum has completed an EPA brownfields cleanup and received $10 million in historic tax credits it plans to monetize in 2025. He said $3 million has already been spent on design and documents and that the current funding stack includes "$6 million from the City of Albany, $1.3 million from Dougherty County," plus private and foundation support that together bring the committed total to about $20.7 million.

Commissioners asked several questions about local economic benefit, procurement and operations. Vice Chair Gaines (District 5) pushed for the project to seed an art district along Washington Street and asked whether the city could increase its contribution; Wolf said the city’s $6 million may be a ceiling but would welcome additional help. Commissioner Johnson asked about the museum's permanent collection; Wolf said the institution holds more than 2,000 objects, including a noted Sub-Saharan African collection that would be given a permanent gallery in the new building.

Commissioner Edwards asked whether the county could attach participation or local contracting conditions (a 25–30% local participation goal had been discussed previously). The county attorney said he needed to review the mechanics of attaching conditions to a one-time contribution. Wolf said the museum will prioritize local contractors and suppliers "as local and homegrown as possible," but acknowledged some specialty trades may require outside firms.

The museum projected project construction would take 20 to 24 months once funding is secured. The board did not take an immediate vote on the county contribution; commissioners indicated support for moving the request to the Finance Committee for further review.