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'It was a bit of a sore thumb for many years': Downtown Milledgeville nuisance building gets a makeover

The Baldwin Investment Group began demolition of crumbling buildings on South Wayne St. that have caused the city and nearby businesses grief for years.

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — Six years, multiple formal requests for cleanup, and one court case later, the properties between 107 and 115 South Wayne Street are finally being demolished.

“It's a relief– it's a relief for everybody, for the City of Milledgeville,” said David Sinclair. 

He’s part of the development group Baldwin Investment Group, or BIG.

Sinclair says this project has been a long time coming. 

“Around five years ago, there was a roof collapse and the building became unoccupiable and dangerous,” he explained. 

It sat rotting as the city and their lawyers tried to get the previous owner to do something.

“It was quite disturbing,” Sinclair said. “The roof was in imminent danger of collapse and that's why the city took action to closer off the footpath." 

Fences went up to protect the public from the crumbling facade, but it hurt businesses in a big way. 

It blocked off parking spots, sidewalks, and blocked the view of other stores.

“So, it was a bit of a sore thumb for many years,” Sinclair said. 

He said after years of trying and the help of the City of Milledgeville Main Street, his group bought the properties. 

“Living here, we're part of the community. We feel that the people of Milledgeville deserve a lot because they’re good people,” he said. 

The nuisance on South Wayne Street will be getting a new look in a big way.

“A micro-brewery and also a wine shop, and an open courtyard is in the middle, yeah,” he explained. 

It will also change the community in a big way. 

“You know, an investment in Milledgeville to me is a great opportunity.  So, we’re here to help the city and Baldwin County to make a difference.” 

Sinclair says demolition will cost over $100,000 and reconstruction will be around $2 million.

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