Albany City Commission considers zoning request for former Sears mall property

ALBANY – A new 55,000-square-foot sporting goods store could take shape in a parking area at the Albany Mall, bringing a store that provides everything from shoes and clothing to golf, tennis and hunting supplies.

The 5.09-acre tract, located on the southeast portion of the mall footprint, would bring $12 million in investment. It would sit between the Chik-fil-A restaurant and the hotel that is to be located on part of the former Sears site, a project that received zoning approval last month from city commissioners.

CP Albany Partners has requested special approval zoning from the Albany City Commission that would allow for the development and operation of the property. The property currently is zoned C-7, mixed-use planning development district.

The Albany-Dougherty Planning Commission recommended approval of the request by a 5-0 vote.

The future land use map for the area recommends commercial development for the property, Paul Forgey, director of planning and development services, told city commissioners during a Tuesday zoning hearing on the issue.

The store would have entrances from Dawson Road and Stuart Avenue, Forgey said. Dawson Road has a daily traffic flow of about 20,000 vehicles, and the sporting goods store would add between 633 and 2,000 trips per day, he said.

Milan Patel, who was part of the group that purchased the former Sears property at the mall, said that the sporting goods store would bring new life to the mall area.

“This creates new traffic,” he said. “That’s the key news there. It’s new traffic. This stops people from going to Dothan, Columbus, Tallahassee (or) Valdosta, and the people stay here.”

The mall also should benefit by bringing more shoppers to the area, he said.

The dual Hilton brands hotel is expected to be completed in 24 months or less. The four-story hotel, one-half traditional hotel rooms and the other extended-stay rooms, will have 162 rooms.

The City Commission could vote on the request for special approval at its meeting next week.

Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]