PDA ‘tidies up’ BMW land purchase

ALBANY — The Albany-Dougherty Payroll Development Authority “tidied up” some unfinished business Thursday, voting to approve a resolution that will grant final authority for the sale of 3 acres of property at 801 E. Oglethorpe Blvd. to BMW of Albany.

The board had granted its attorney, Jay Reynolds, to move forward with the proposal at its September meeting, and Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission President Justin Strickland said Thursday’s vote was a needed formality.

“This (action) will tidy things up, and (the parties involved) will be able to close everything out,” Strickland said.

BMW of Albany had held an option on the property for the past 10 years and negotiated a deal, through Hudson Acquisition Co., to purchase the 3 acres for $150,000. The dealership had already made a $30,000 down payment on the purchase price before the agreement with PDA was finalized.

“I’m the new kid in town, but this resolution before you acknowledges that (BMW) is exercising their option to purchase the property,” former Albany Mayor Tommy Coleman, who sat in for fellow Perry and Walters attorney Reynolds for the meeting, said.

Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard, who serves as chairwoman of the PDA board, promised that next month’s meeting would include more action items.

“We’ve got a lot coming up next month,” Hubbard said.