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Albany commission approves streetscape plan, extends developer talks for downtown hotel projects
Summary
The Albany City Commission approved staff’s recommendation for standard streetscape light poles and a six-month extension to negotiate an MOU with Woodmont Lodging on two downtown redevelopment parcels. Commissioners also agreed to revisit pole change orders and related construction funding as grant approvals progress.
The Albany City Commission on Tuesday approved a plan to move forward with standard pedestrian light poles as part of a downtown streetscape project and authorized staff to negotiate a six-month extension of a memorandum of understanding with Woodmont Lodging for the Hotel Gordon and Rosenberg Building projects.
City planning staff said the consultant identified a shortfall in downtown lighting and recommended adding roughly 65 pedestrian poles to meet Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) minimum lighting criteria. Dr. Thredcraft, presenting the lighting study, said standard poles cost roughly $2,500 each (plus installation) while the “smart” poles run about $10,000 apiece. Staff recommended the lower-cost standard pole to reduce upfront construction costs while preserving the option to use an alternate manufacturer if a primary supplier is unavailable.
“The TAP grant is approved, and we’re extending that now,” Dr. Thredcraft said while reviewing funding and procurement timelines. Staff said the project’s construction phase is currently estimated at about $5 million and that Albany Utilities could self-perform some pole installations.
Separately, commissioners approved a request to grant Woodmont Lodging an additional six months to finalize an MOU and related legal agreements for two downtown parcels (126 Washington and 205–207 Pine Avenue). City staff said Woodmont completed due diligence and needs additional time to assemble financing and finalize a deal framework with a proposed 70/30 split on certain elements of the developments. Developer Elliot Estes told the commission he was confident the team could deliver a proposal within the extension period.
Why it matters: The lighting and MOU items both affect downtown safety, walkability and redevelopment timelines. The lighting decision moves the streetscape project closer to construction-bidding while the developer extension keeps two large downtown rehabilitation projects active without obligating the city to final terms.
Details and next steps: Staff will prepare change order documentation (change order 3) once a pole type is selected and will return to the commission for approval of construction-phase expenditures. The Woodmont team will continue negotiations and bring back any finalized MOU or legal documents for commission vote before any transfer of public funds or long-term commitments.
What the commission said: Mayor Bush (as identified in the meeting roster) thanked staff for outreach and emphasized timeliness; Dr. Thredcraft said copies of the lighting study would be made available to commissioners. Several commissioners asked staff to track grant reallocations and to notify the commission if funding opportunities change.
