Old downtown Oconee Center building the site of proposed apartment development

EDITOR'S NOTE: Photos courtesy of Google Maps

Downtown Milledgeville's most prominent developer currently is going through the steps to convert an old office space into apartments.

The City Council recently had a "first reading" for the property at 131 North Jefferson St., located directly north of the Golden Pantry downtown. The property is owned by "Frank Pendergast," according to the first reading, and the plan is to convert the building into six two-bedroom apartments and eight one-bedroom studio apartments.

The property previously was occupied by the Oconee Center, a behavioral health and rehabilitation provider. The property sale hasn't been updated on the Tax Assessor's website, which currently lists the owner as "Chester Gunby."  Pendergast is asking the city government to re-zone to property to "Multi-Family Residential 2."

Pendergast, who led downtown's revitalization years ago after opening The Brick and Buffington's, has acquired a number of downtown properties over the years, and the list is relatively long:

 •205 East Hancock St. – purchased in 2007 for $168,612 (apartments across from Golden Pantry)

• 107 West Hancock St. – purchased for $145,000 in 2003 (old Prestwood graphics building/Bollywood Tacos)

• 111 West Hancock St. – purchased for $64,877 in 2006 (The Hair Bar)

• 136 West Hancock St. – purchased for $255,000 in 2001 (The Brick)

• 119 North Wayne St. – purchased for $265,000 in 2014 (old Dennis building/Smoothie King, Oconee Radio Group office)

• 124 North Wayne St. – purchased for $450,000 in 2017 (old Do Do's pool room/old Opera House

• 117 North Wayne St. – purchased for $181,500 in 2012 (loft apartments/Local Yokel/Firefly Boutique)