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14490 full.pdf - Georgia Department of Community Affairs

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6. PLANNED AND PROPOSED<br />

According to area planning and building <strong>of</strong>ficials, there are no projects either under<br />

construction or planned for the market.<br />

A spokesperson for the Albany Economic Development Commission stated that<br />

downtown Albany is currently undergoing significant commercial redevelopment.<br />

She noted that renovated downtown housing, though not currently being<br />

redeveloped, would be forthcoming as part <strong>of</strong> the <strong>full</strong> downtown redevelopment<br />

process. The proximity <strong>of</strong> this site to the redevelopment in downtown Albany<br />

enhances the value <strong>of</strong> the proposed South Albany Village.<br />

I. INTERVIEWS<br />

The following summarizes interviews with area leasing agents, government <strong>of</strong>ficials,<br />

and economic development department representatives regarding the proposed<br />

subject development and/or the overall apartment market.<br />

According to Albany area apartment managers, city development <strong>of</strong>ficials, and the<br />

Albany Economic Development Commission, Albany is in need <strong>of</strong> new, quality<br />

housing, particularly in the downtown area. One apartment manager said there “isn’t<br />

much nice housing in downtown Albany.” Much <strong>of</strong> the housing that used to exist has<br />

been torn down since a major flood occurred in 1994. That which is still standing is<br />

low in quality and appears dilapidated.<br />

Albany Economic Development Commission member Linda Moore said there are<br />

“pockets <strong>of</strong> downtown Albany with very substandard housing.” She said downtown<br />

needs new, affordable housing to compliment the commercial revitalization that is<br />

currently going on downtown. This revitalization will include significant upgrades to<br />

<strong>of</strong>fice and retail space and a downtown riverfront park that will be in proximity to the<br />

proposed site.<br />

Another apartment manager said she “gets a lot <strong>of</strong> prospective tenants at her Tax<br />

Credit property, but none <strong>of</strong> them can get in because the property is always 100%<br />

occupied.” Many people she has to turn away would likely qualify for the proposed<br />

Tax Credit units.<br />

In summation, most seem to agree that the Albany area, particularly downtown, needs<br />

quality, affordable housing, especially with the economic growth that revitalization<br />

and the addition <strong>of</strong> a riverfront entertainment park should bring to downtown.<br />

IV-53

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