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City staff warns property-acquisition bottlenecks are delaying $22M in SPLOST/T-SPLOST projects
Summary
Planning and engineering staff told the commission that limited legal and acquisition capacity is blocking dozens of projects tied to SPLOST/T-SPLOST funds and recommended retaining acquisition counsel and a decision framework for judicial acquisition when voluntary acquisition fails.
Planning and engineering staff told the Albany City Commission on Feb. 17 that property-acquisition delays are holding up more than $22 million in SPLOST and T-SPLOST projects across the city.
Staff described a recurring pattern: smaller easements and right-of-way needs stall because the city lacks dedicated legal capacity to finalize transfers or pursue judicial acquisition when voluntary agreements expire or fail. "We have over $22,000,000 in SPLOST and T-SPLOST projects that are either currently being delayed, have had extensive delays, or will be delayed," a senior planning official said, urging a deliberate solution to avoid repeating the delays.
Presenters reviewed examples where minor property needs — for stormwater work, sidewalk easements or a groundwater monitoring well for the Albany Theater project — have prevented bids or construction even though engineering plans are complete. The consultants recommended two actions: (1) a decision framework so commissioners understand and can pre-authorize judicial acquisition in narrowly defined circumstances; and (2) retention of specialized right-of-way/property-acquisition counsel to support the city attorney’s office when negotiations stall.
Staff said the existing acquisition consultant (a retired GDOT right-of-way expert) supports engineering but the city attorney’s office does not have dedicated support for the volume of title/easement work required. Commissioners asked for a staffing analysis and for staff to present a recommended decision matrix and cost estimate for outside counsel and acquisition support. Staff promised to distribute a briefing paper and to return with specific options.
