ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — A tennis center proposed years ago in Albany is moving closer to reality after a local investor offered to donate property near the Albany Mall for the project.

Local investor Milan Patel is donating property he owns near the mall for the proposed tennis center. The center will include tennis courts, pickleball courts, a restaurant and bar as part of a full entertainment complex.

“I’ve always been on the business side of most endeavors. I’m learning more about the public side of things here recently just because of my time in it,” Patel said. “But over the last couple of years, I’ve looked at the relationship between both governments like a mom-and-dad relationship. I think they both have your best interest at heart — They just do it differently. We’re going to do it with both mom and dad permission.”

The city and county are being asked to approve a memorandum of understanding that would provide about $1.7 million in SPLOST funds from the county and about $1.2 million from the city. The agreement would establish a public-private partnership between the local government entities and Patel to build the center.

County attorney Alex Shalishali said this proposal represents the first real step toward building the tennis center, which was originally proposed years ago with SPLOST funds allocated for construction.

“Well, this one has a lot more teeth to it. We also have a site that has been mutually agreed to. At least to my knowledge, that has never been the case,” Shalishali said.

When asked if the deal could be seen as more symbolic than substantive given the project’s long history, Shalishali said the proposal has substance.

“I will encourage our citizens to get excited at the prospect that this is moving forward, assuming the city and county ultimately approve,” he said.

The Dougherty County Commission will vote on the memorandum of understanding at a special called meeting next Tuesday, Dec. 23.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2025 WALB. All rights reserved.