As Macon-Bibb County moves into a new year, The Macon Newsroom previews 25 things to look for in 2025. The five-part series will publish on Dec. 24, 26, 30 and Jan. 1 and 3 and includes a variety stories from government, industry, education, business, arts and entertainment.
Terminal Station stars as ‘Daily Planet’ in Superman movie
When the summer blockbuster “Superman” opens July 11, millions of movie-goers will see a Macon landmark starring as the “Daily Planet.”
On Dec. 19 on the social media outlet “X,” writer-director James Gunn unveiled the movie’s trailer which features glimpses of the fictional newsroom of Clark Kent. The clips reveal Terminal Station’s gilded ceiling, arches and doorway.
In April, The Macon Newsroom broke the news that the Warner Bros. film was looking for extras in the Middle Georgia area to be available in May and June for filming.
Scaffolding and a huge drape went up in front of the old train station, presumably to enable green screen technology and controlled lighting.
The movie trailer also shows images of people running through sand in scenes that may have been filmed in Macon, but no landmarks are visible.
In addition to a general call for adult extras, the local casting call sought South Asians of all ages who “will be asked to run in the sand with loud sounds going off occasionally around you.”
DC Studios is producing the new “Superman” film which is reportedly the first for Gunn and Peter Safran in their reboot of the DC Universe.
In 2021, Terminal Station was featured in Marvel’s “Black Widow” and has been used as a backdrop for multiple films in recent years.
World Cup soccer team scouts headed to Macon
Representatives for some of the world’s greatest soccer teams could visit Macon in 2025 looking for accommodations needed during the FIFA World Cup 26.
In November, FIFA included Mercer University in its expanded base camp brochure that gives “unprecedented flexibility” for the 48 teams who will be playing across North America in 16 host cities, including Atlanta and Miami in the Southeast.
Over 70 sites are on the list, so not every location will get to host a team as they prepare for matches.
“You expect that as teams take a look at the brochure that FIFA’s published we will see some site selection visits just to kind of get a sense of who we are and what we have to offer,” Visit Macon’s Aaron Buzza said.
After the December 2025 Final Draw picking geographic zones for group matches, the teams will decide where they would like to stay, train and practice over six weeks during June and July.
Buzza likes Macon’s odds because some of the world’s best teams might prefer to be out of the limelight of a big city.
The potential host hotel, Macon Marriott City Center securely sequestered the cast and crew of the “Go Big Show” during two shows taped during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Proximity to the Middle Georgia Regional Airport also is a plus as teams would not have to fight traffic on Interstate 75 headed to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, he said.
Teams are expected to book accommodations for 130 people over six weeks, which amounts to 5,460 room nights over that period.
“It’s a pretty significant amount and it’s just team and associated personnel, not fans, etc. who might come in. So, it would be pretty significant for the community,” Buzza said during Visit Macon’s December board meeting.
Other hotels and businesses could see a boost, too, with visiting fans and media.
Under the agreement, hosts would be required to provide law enforcement escorts using lights and sirens when the team travels in the city.
Heightened security could be needed if Macon lands Spain or Portugal, Buzza said.
“But it’s probably worth it because we could make more money in hotel rooms,” he said.
New Neel Lofts to begin leasing with more downtown units on the way
By the end of 2025, the new Neel Lofts fronting Cherry and Third streets will begin leasing tenants for apartment units that are expected to open in early 2026.
Developer Robbo Hatcher said construction on the L-shaped building is expected to wrap up at the end of the new year on the multi-story building with retail space on the ground floor of each street.
The team of developers behind the long-awaited Central City Commons apartments at the corner of Second and Plum streets hopes to break ground in 2025.
“We’re happy to share that we continue to make significant strides with the project,” said Naomi Mirsky of Opterra Capital, the investment partner on the project.
Although the project also calls for a hotel fronting Poplar Street and a parking garage in the interior of the block, Mirsky said those aspects of the plan could be delayed.
“One option we are currently evaluating is beginning with the multifamily building before moving on to the hotel and garage,” she said. “Determining the exact timing and phasing involves careful consideration of many factors, and we’re focused on making the best decisions for the success of the project.”
The Newman Building at the corner or First Street could be renovated as part of the hotel project, but that project might be years away.
In a recent Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning application for the nearby Wagsworth Hotel pet kennel, MMI Capital, the Central City Commons development partner that owns the buildings, stated it would be at least three years before having new tenants on the street.
Behind City Hall, Gateway 75 plans to break ground early in the year for a six-story, V-shaped loft building with retail and some townhouses on the ground floors of D.T. Walton Way and Plum Street.
The Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority is working with developers to build a municipal parking deck to be used by county workers, apartment residents and the public.
The downtown loft building boom could be coming to an end as urban planners shift focus to the western sector of downtown beyond the so-called Mid-City Square near Atrium Health Medical Center that could become a business or healthcare innovation district.
UDA Executive Director Alex Morrison said the Macon Action Plan XL encourages revitalization of neighborhoods on the outskirts of downtown, such as Pleasant Hill, Napier Heights and Huguenin Heights instead of building more apartments in the urban core.
Macon-Bibb Board of Health alters meeting schedule
The Macon-Bibb County Board of Health won’t hold its first meeting of the year until Feb. 10.
During its December meeting, the board voted to discontinue monthly meetings in favor of a bi-monthly schedule.
Every other month, the board will meet at 1600 Forsyth St. on the third Monday, although some dates vary due to scheduling conflicts like Presidents Day falling on Feb. 17.
The other 2025 meeting dates will be April 21, June 16, Aug. 18, Oct. 20 and Dec. 8, but are subject to change.
Health Department Administrator Dr. Jimmie Smith said board members will keep open on their calendars the third Monday of alternate months in case there is a need for a called meeting.
Board of Health member David Gowan said there could be times when the board needs to take action sooner.
“If environmental health brings us some variances, we would not want to wait 60 days to have a meeting,” Gowan said
Macon-Bibb County is one of 13 counties in Georgia’s North Central Health District, which is officially opening its new HOPE Center location on Jan. 9 in suite 415 at 3920 Arkwright Road.
The HOPE Center helps care for the medical needs and wellness of those living with HIV/AIDS under the federal Ryan White Comprehensive Aids Resources Emergency Act.
Christ Church marks Bicentennial
Macon’s oldest church will mark its 200th anniversary on March 5, 2025.
Just two years after the birth of Macon, Episcopal Rev. Lot Jones founded Christ Church while on a missionary tour of Georgia. It was the city’s first organized congregation and the mother church of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta.
The church’s Bicentennial Committee began celebrations with a fellowship brunch in August, but continues to mark the anniversary into the New Year.
Christ Church will host a Bicentennial History Forum on Feb. 16 and commemorate the milestone at a Bicentennial service on Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. with special music, guest clergy and a reception.
A Bicentennial Gala is planned May 1 in the church’s Great Hall, and the congregation is compiling a coffee table book to tell the 200-year history.
The committee’s fundraising efforts will help renovate the sacristy and sponsor concerts in February and May.
The current Gothic Revival church building on Walnut Street was built in 1851 and hosted the marriage of poet Sidney Lanier in 1868.
The worship space and exquisite stained-glass windows were restored in 2000.
— Civic Journalism Senior Fellow Liz Fabian covers Macon-Bibb County government entities for The Macon Newsroom and can be reached at [email protected] or 478-301-2976.
