MICHAEL FERGUSON II: Commissioner or consultant? Warbington’s economic advocacy raises eyebrows

A fresh controversy over zoning at 600 2nd Ave. has reignited long-standing concerns about whether City Commissioner Chad Warbington has blurred the lines between public servant and private developer.

The issue came to light at the July 10 Planning Commission meeting, where
Warbington submitted a rezoning request to convert a property previously owned by Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital from commercial to multi-family residential. Though Warbington did not sit on the board reviewing his request, his dual role has sparked an ethics review now pending before the city attorney.

This is not the first time Warbington’s hands-on role in development has raised questions. During the May 2023 proceedings for the Davis Exchange Redevelopment, the commissioner took a notably proactive role in rallying support for a multimillion-dollar public-private partnership involving developer IDP Properties, an out-of-town firm with a
track record of securing federal tax credits and city-backed financing.

The $18.5 million plan called for adaptive re-use of Albany’s first skyscraper, transforming the historic Davis Exchange Building into mixed-income housing. While that alone may sound promising, Warbington’s enthusiastic support and the push for city-backed loans ranging from $1.75 million to $4.5 million raised more than a few eyebrows.

“I watched the hearing closely,” one community member said. “Commissioner Warbington wasn’t just asking questions, he was pitching the project to the council. It started to feel like he was lobbying, not leading.”

The resemblance between the Davis Exchange project and the current 2nd Avenue rezoning request is striking:

— In both cases, Warbington is connected to real estate development efforts that benefit from city zoning decisions or financial support.

— In both cases, he is perceived by some as leveraging his public office to further or facilitate private sector outcomes.

In response to growing concern, Planning Commission member Aaron Johnson made a motion to postpone Warbington’s rezoning request for 600 2nd Ave., calling for an ethics review. The motion passed 5–1, with Commissioner King Randall abstaining and Commissioner Art Brown voting no. The matter remains pending as the city attorney
conducts the ethics review.

Community advocates and watchdog groups are urging City Hall to establish clear conflict- of-interest rules and transparent recusal protocols for elected officials engaged in private-sector business that intersects with city governance.

“Whether intentional or not, this kind of crossover behavior undermines public trust,” a local ethics advocate said. “If you’re voting on policies that benefit your clients or your future investments, you shouldn’t be sitting at the table.”

As Albany continues to court developers and revitalization projects, the question remains: Can public officials lead the charge without personally cashing in or making friends rich off taxpayer dollars?

My mood is, “Fight the Power” performed by Public Enemy.

Michael Ferguson II is an Albany Herald columnist, a community activist and a U.S. Army veteran.