2024 had no shortage of new business openings and projects underway in Albany, but not all of them made it to completion. Here’s a look at delayed Albany projects that missed their 2024 openings and what we’ve learned since.
What happened to Dimension X?
In spring 2024, developers shared their plans to build a Dave & Busters alternative entertainment and food venue in Albany. It was named Dimension X and designed to be a destination for young and old with a mix of technology, games, and food.
At the time, much of the planning was already completed and 229 Life was told many of the gaming and entertainment pieces were already purchased.
It was set to open over the summer of 2024. But a handful of delays kept pushing back any kind of opening. 229 Life was told there was issues with the anticipated location.
Months went by and the updates went quiet. As of January 2025, 229 Life does not anticipate this location to open as originally planned.
What happened to Ridezilla?
Another spring announcement appeared around the same time in Lee County. Developers placed large banners on the former Harveys grocery store building that said a Ridezilla would be opening there. Ridezilla is the new name of what used to be Power Sports Plus in Northwest Albany, which sells outdoor power sports equipment like ATVs and dirt bikes.
The banners on the building said “Opening Summer 2024.” But, summer 2024 came and went with no visible progress on the building. In a recent conversation with a local manager of Ridezilla, they told 229 Life that plans are still in the works to open the location in the future, but they do not have a timeframe on when that will happen.
What happened to Grand Island Park?
Just over the county line from Ledo Rd in Albany is the former Grand Island golf course and country club property. That’s where a small group of developers announced plans for an entertainment destination in late 2023. They said it would be called Grand Island Park, and it would be a family-friendly place for entertainment and games.
The announcement came as a collective sigh of relief for the Albany area, as the last remaining skating rink, Stardust 2, had just been sold and demolished. That property was converted into an automated car wash. Grand Island Park promised to remedy the skating rink loss.
The planned location, on a chunk of the former country club property, boasted a future indoor skating rink, a “gamified golf experience” similar to Top Golf, food and drink choices, and outdoor pickle ball courts.
But delays pushed back the original opening goal of Spring 2024, then pushed the opening goal back indefinitely. In a conversation with Terry Ho, one of the project’s local primary developers, he told 229 Life the project is still in the works.
Get the best of South Georgia in your inbox with the 229 Life Newsletter.
Looking Ahead
While these Albany area projects missed their openings in 2024, plenty of others opened or successfully began construction:
- Construction started on the new Academy Sports + Outdoors next to the Albany Mall.
- New restaurant locations like Jack’s and 3 Squares Diner opened.
- New coffee shops like Ellianos Coffee opened and 7Brew Coffee started construction on their location.
- New ice cream shops like TCBY and Milkster opened to the public.
- The former Piggly Wiggly building was demolished to make way for a handful of new businesses to be built.
What do you make of the delays and changes across these Albany area projects? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Copyright 229 Life 2025. All rights reserved.
