Herald, city of Albany complete purchase of property

ALBANY — The I’s have been dotted and the T’s crossed on the contract. Now, after a 33-years-and-counting tenure in a historic downtown building that had over the years become synonymous with the Albany Herald, the newspaper’s staff will be leasing back space from the city in the grand old building while searching for a location that has what Herald President Scot Morrissey calls “the right fit for our staff.”

The city of Albany finalized the deal with Herald management on Friday, closing on the $850,000 purchase that gives the city ownership of a strategic piece of property sitting in the heart of a downtown renovation that has gained considerable momentum since the first of the year. City officials have made it clear that they don’t plan to hold onto the property long.

“We actually have an RFP (request for proposal) out on the streets already for the two adjoining buildings,” City Manager Sharon Subadan said Monday afternoon. “We’re kind of testing the market with those buildings, and we’re certainly interested in public input. We’ll do the same with the big building (at 126 N. Washington) soon.”

But Subadan said the strategic parking lot that sits at the northeastern corner of North Washington Street and Pine Avenue, which many saw as a key part of the deal, is not for sale.

“We’re going to hold onto that,” the city manager said.

Morrissey said it didn’t make sense for the newspaper’s staff to remain in the historic building that was designed and built for hundreds to occupy.

“With all of our employees working digitally, less space is needed, and we want to create a more modern interactive space for our employees and customers,” the Herald president said. “Finding the right open-space environment near the core of the city is our top priority.”

Morrissey has led the Herald’s quest to serve the community’s expanding interest in timely digital content while making sure the newspaper serves its loyal print readers with their morning newspaper.

“Was there a need, a sense that we had to get out of the 126 N. Washington St. property as quickly as possible? Absolutely not,” Morrissey said. “But was it the best use of this building and the best business practice for our staff to remain here given the changes in this business? No, it was not.

“I think this is a win for the city as they look to develop the property that was purchased as part of this deal. And it allows us to find a more modernized space while continuing to expand our digital footprint across southwest Georgia.”

In addition to the former Rosenberg’s Building at 126 N. Washington St., the city purchase includes property at 118, 200 and 210 N. Washington St. and 132, 133 and 138 Pine Ave.

“We felt it was prudent to purchase that property before someone bought it and just sat on it, letting it deteriorate,” Subadan said. “Plus, we didn’t want to see something inconsistent with what we’re doing downtown in that location. I don’t know if you were aware, but not long ago a flea market was proposed for that area. That would not have lent itself to our agenda.

“There’s nothing wrong with flea markets, but not there. That would not have benefited the taxpayers’ investment in downtown.”

Morrissey said the newspaper will continue to lease the 126 N. Washington property on a month-to-month basis as it finalizes a move of its Albany Herald and AlbanyHerald.com offices.

“We’re not being forced out of this building (as some local news reports have suggested), nor is (the sale and move) in any way an indication that we are ending publication of this newspaper that has been a part of this community for 128 years,” Morrissey said. “This was just a smart, strategic move for us and for the city as well. We are proud to be a part of the ongoing efforts to revitalize downtown Albany. (Keeping The Herald here) is certainly not the most upward use of the property, and we are excited to see the buildings become part of the centerpiece of downtown.”

The Herald properties were initially marketed for $1.4 million, according to an Oct. 12, 2016 article in the newspaper, but the agreement with the city came at a reduced price. Subadan told Albany city commissioners at a special called meeting at which they agreed to purchase the property that “we’re not going to hold onto this property. Our plan is to market it to developers looking to be a part of our downtown.”

J. Car Development of Chicago is planning a mixed-use $13 million development at 207 Pine Ave. that sits diagonal to The Herald building, and The Flint restaurant and event center is scheduled to open on Pine Avenue in the next few weeks.

File Photo
File Photo

File Photo