From the editor
“ A city on the grow.”
The phrase has become a cliche from its overuse, but in Valdosta’ s case the cliche is true.
In this issue of Valdosta Scene, we take a look at some of the larger community projects that are being built here.
Before you ask, we did not write anything on the twin roundabouts in north Valdosta because, as of our press time, ground has not been broken. Perhaps by the time you read this, the projects will be under way. We hope when they are finished they’ ll improve traffic flow in a difficult part of town.
But in the meantime, other local projects can dominate our attention.
Valdosta State University earned its spot on our cover by the sheer number of big projects either recently finished, under way or planned soon. Langdale Hall is being demolished. The university is planning a Greek Row of sorority houses. The new Performing Arts Center is rising piece-by-piece after its groundbreaking last October. Read about these and other projects in reporter Bailey Wilson’ s story in this issue.
Not far from VSU’ s north campus, South Georgia Medical Center is in the middle of the largest project in its history: a new tower to house emergency care and women’ s and infants care. The tower will add 145,000 square feet of new space to the hospital and reorient it so the main entrance faces Woodrow Wilson Drive. SGMC Health officials expect it to be open late next year. Bailey Wilson, who covered the hospital’ s topping out ceremony in July, updates the project for Valdosta Scene.
The hospital broke ground on the tower project in September 2024, but that month will go down in local history for a far less pleasant reason: Hurricane Helene hit Sept. 27. Among the casualties of the storm was the Willis L. Miller Library on Julia Drive. The headquarters of the South Georgia Regional Library System suffered a roof collapse that has kept the building closed ever since. But hope springs eternal: Renovations are under way that are expected to have it up and running by Fall 2026. Reporter Rachel Larson brings you the latest in this issue of Valdosta Scene.
Valdosta Scene— like our sister publication, The Valdosta Daily Times newspaper— is here to tell the stories of Valdosta and Lowndes County. If you know of a story we should be telling, please send me an email at kevin. hall @ valdostadailytimes. com.
Kevin C. Hall Editor The Valdosta Daily Times and Valdosta Scene
6 Valdosta Scene | October 2025