Montgomery buys former Advertiser building, taking step toward new convention center

Montgomery took a step toward a new convention center earlier this week.

The city council approved a $5.5 million purchase of two lots on Molton Street in downtown, buying the former home of the Montgomery Advertiser.

While no definitive plans are in place for the property at this point, surveys are expected to happen in the coming months for what could be done at the site including exploring the possibility of building a new convention center.

New Montgomery Convention Center?

Montgomery mayor Steven Reed first spoke about plans for a new convention center in 2023. He is confident the upcoming surveys will prove this site can be the home of a new arena-style convention center for the city.

The property is currently vacant but it used to be the home of the Montgomery Advertiser. The historic newspaper spent more than two decades at the site located at 425 Molton Street before moving in 2023.

Monday’s city council vote was 5-3 with one abstention. The vote was originally delayed during the Dec. 2 city council meeting.

While some councilors believe there was no reason to rush into a purchase, others believed that controlling the land was a priority even before deciding what to do with it.

Earlier this year, the city already set out $6 million for demolition of blighted properties in the city including the former Governor’s House Hotel and Convention Center.

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