Downtown Albany development includes attractions, residential, retail

ALBANY — Latoya Cutts is not one given to over-zealousness. The soft-spoken downtown Albany manager is one of those “I-let-the-work-speak-for-itself” kind of individuals.

But even Cutts has a hard time holding back her enthusiasm as she talks about the momentum building in the development of Albany’s Central Business District, long abandoned by all but a few die-hard businesses.

“I’d like to take credit for what we have going on, but the truth is we have leadership in place that recognizes the importance of a thriving, viable downtown,” Cutts said during a lengthy conversation about Albany’s revitalization efforts. “One of the greatest things about this role (as downtown manager) has been working on a project that the people who make decisions — the city manager (Sharon Subadan) and the City Commission — are 100 percent behind.

“We’ve done our homework, and there has not been any push-back across the board. As the momentum has built, as we’ve gotten more and more private involvement, I think the community recognizes that we’re on the verge of something really substantial.”

Cutts points to the mix of projects either underway or pending downtown as her primary reason for optimism. With tourist-based attractions, residential development and retail establishments all in the mix, downtown could have a completely new look soon.

“We’re talking about tourist-based attractions with a microbrewery and perhaps even the Museum of Art, a residential component that everyone sees as vital, and retail establishments that will fit with what we’re trying to bring downtown,” she said. “All of these components add to the synergy that’s developing.”

Cutts points to the Pretoria Fields craft brewery being constructed by Dr. Tripp Morgan and the development of the Flats at 249 by Pace Burt as catalysts for downtown development. Both project principals, she notes, are Albany natives.

“Dr. Morgan and Pace Burt are locals, and the people here know and trust them,” Cutts said. “They lend a huge measure of credibility to downtown. These two very legitimate projects by respected citizens in the community were critical to generating interest in the district.

“And, going back to our city leadership, they provided the tools that allowed these projects to happen. The city used its downtown investment fund to help structure the microbrewery project, and by buying the former Albany Heights building, the city made it feasible for Pace to create that development.”

The two projects, Cutts noted, also have something of a symbiotic relationship.

“Without the microbrewery, I don’t know that Pace would have had as much interest in Albany Heights,” she said. “And, of course, with residents living downtown, now Dr. Morgan’s development will have potential customers who will be downtown after 5 p.m.”

Burt, who has established himself as the go-to developer for urban renewal development throughout the Southeast, said he’s pleased with the progress being made on the Flats at 249 and with the potential for retail development that will attract tenants.

“Our commercial people (who will occupy space on the first floor of the six-story development) are ready to go, but we’re still about 30 days away from focusing on retail,” Burt said. “But we’re doing things the right way. Like I was hoping we could keep the air-conditioning system that was in place, but I don’t think that’s what we need to do. This place hasn’t really been cleaned out in 15 years, so we’re finding things as we go.

“The way things are progressing, we’re looking at getting our retail folks in by late summer and opening the apartments to tenants late fall.”

Burt said there has been no lack of interest shown by potential retail tenants.

“We have Envy, the clothing store, looking at space; 229 Yoga; Kris Morrill’s cross-fit operation; a bike store, and a place that will serve food,” the developer said. “They’re all ready to go. But we’ve got to get to a point where the construction that’s going on with the apartment units doesn’t disrupt what they’re trying to do.”

Burt said the momentum downtown is due primarily to a couple of factors.

“The city has finally bowed up and realized they’ve got to support and work with developers,” he said. “And developers have realized they have to put some of their own money into it to make things work.”

Meanwhile, members of the Albany-Dougherty Inner City Authority and Downtown Development Authority will meet Wednesday to discuss ongoing efforts to start work on three of 10 downtown units purchased by the city for redevelopment purposes. Those units have been cleaned out and have had new roofs installed, but the city’s Front Street Market plan calls for bids to upgrade the property for prospective retail tenants.

Cutts said the Front Street Market units will be developed in groups, the first of which includes storefronts at 100 and 104 Pine Ave. and 127 Front St. Architect David Maschke told the ADICA board at its last meeting that the estimated cost for getting those properties white-box ready is $257,403.

“We chose those three properties as our first group for improvement because we have tenants who are very interested in them,” Cutts said. (A delay in approving the work by the ADICA board at that body’s April 18 meeting has, however, cooled the interest of one prospect.)

“But I can tell you that there is indeed strong interest, and that three of the businesses interested in retail development have the track record and the wherewithal to operate a business in a revitalized downtown district,” she said. “One of those interested parties is what I would call an anchor tenant that will draw attention to one of the city’s greatest assets, the Flint River.”

Along with the interest shown by the Albany Museum of Art board of directors in making a move downtown, Cutts said another key component to future development in the inner city is working with Albany State University to bring students from both of its campuses to the Central Business District.

University staff have already taken steps to facilitate more student involvement downtown by working with Albany Herald and city officials to start a weekly downtown walking tour called Get Fit!, and the city and university have reached an agreement to include three-times-hourly bus runs between ASU’s east and west campuses. Those routes, called the “Ram Rush,” will include stops downtown.

“It’s very encouraging to hear (Albany State President) Dr. (Art) Dunning and his leadership team are committed to being a part of downtown,” Cutts said. “I think that, as we add to the tourist, housing and retail components downtown, and the Ram Rush brings Albany State’s students by to see what’s going on, you’re going to see those students become more actively engaged.

“Our relationship with Albany State is a lot like the other things you see going on downtown right now. In the past, there was a lot of talk, but little to no initiative. Now, you’re seeing action.”