UDA agrees to new loft deal, exploring parking deck upgrades
The Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority agreed to a Residential Incentive Program for a 50,000-square-foot development at Seventh and Mulberry streets.
At Thursday’s meeting, the board approved attorney Blake Sharpton formalizing tax incentives for Ryan Sanders of Hephaestus Development to build 57 residential units with a pool, outdoor fireplace, athletic courts and dog walking area, according to plans submitted three years ago to the Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Commission.
The project meets pre-approval requirements set by the Macon-Bibb County Commission, Bibb County School System and the Macon-Bibb County Tax Commissioner several years ago when they created what was then known as the Heartbeat Pilot Program — that construction will boost assessed property values by at least 50% and include at least 10 lofts, Sharpton said.
The authority will formalize the deal with more details in the coming weeks.
UDA also agreed to hire Tony Long to paint the Mill Hill Community Arts Center and approved a painting contract for the Park Macon office on Cherry Street.
The Authority’s Mulberry Street parking deck will be getting a new surveillance camera system, UDA Executive Director Alex Morrison said, and the board is searching for the right facade treatment for the new parking deck under construction behind City Hall.
Cost estimates for decorative metal panels run from about $1M to $1.5M for the deck that is part of a residential loft project at the corner of Plum Street and D.T. Walton Way.
The UDA also is in negotiation with a potential streetwear designer to open a new clothing shop at 371 Third St., which most recently housed Ambitious Graphics.
Rosa Parks Square could be ready by fall
Renovations to Rosa Parks Square are expected to be completed by early fall after construction delays postponed work that initially was to be finished by summer.
Last month, Stafford Builders’ Walter Stafford explained to the Friends of Rosa Parks Square Board that relocating a Macon Water Authority line and replatting the property were not anticipated when the project broke ground in September.
To meet the $2.5 million budget constraints, Stafford also is looking at a less expensive and more readily available replacement for a huge awning that was part of the original design. A costly water feature was already scrapped in the current design due to maintenance concerns.
At last Thursday’s meeting, the board discussed its role, or lack thereof, when the park is complete, and whether they will remain in place to raise money for a statue that was part of the original plan, but not budgeted.
In the coming months, they will hone plans to honor local Civil Rights luminaries and rededicate an existing monument to Macon’s only Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Rodney Davis with a ceremony featuring local ROTC cadets.
Because all of the original members of the board rotated off, the current members plan to invite Mayor C. Jack Ellis and other charter members to the July meeting. Current board members want to learn more about the original intent for the park before final plans are set for those to be honored and the date is set for a ribbon cutting.
Macon Arts Alliance marks 40 years
Art enthusiasts will celebrate four decades of the Macon Arts Alliance by boosting the nonprofit organization’s ability to sustain and support local artists and musicians.
The community is invited to celebrate the Alliance’s 40th anniversary in a two-day celebration Friday and Saturday, May 16 and 17, at the Mill Hill Community Arts Center.
Partnering with the Urban Development Authority in the restoration of that center during creation of the East Macon Mill Hill Arts Village is one example of the organization’s efforts to brand Macon as a vibrant and creative community.
Pre-event tickets are $40 through eventbright.com for Friday evening’s 40th Anniversary Celebration from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and $50 at the door. The party includes food, complimentary drinks, music, art exhibits and free admission to Saturday’s Artist Market that runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Artist market tickets are $5 and will be sold at the door for those not attending the celebration.
Executive Director Julie Wilkerson and her board of directors set goals for this year to recruit 40 new supportive members, 40 new creative memberships for individuals, businesses and organizations, raise $40,000 in operating expenses, and build a $400,000 endowment fund to sustain the Alliance through tough budget years.
“Building up our endowment fund is really important for sustainability as we found during COVID,” Wilkerson said.
The organization gets about 8% of its budget from Macon-Bibb County’s hotel/motel tax.
Macon Arts Alliance also needs sponsors for the third annual Macon Mural Festival Sept. 12 to 14 where local businesses and organizations fund artists to paint 20 feet by 20 feet murals in downtown.
They are currently selecting from a pool of 90 national and international artists who have submitted samples of their work.
“The idea is that it’s a beautiful day in downtown Macon and all of Macon can come out and watch these artists paint on Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” said Maria Andrade, MAA’s project director.
Macon Arts Alliance also coordinates the Macon365 community calendar, hosts two ceramic festivals and the annual Cultural Awards, funds and supports the artist network 478 Creatives and runs a gallery at their office at 486 First St.
Downtown Macon offers more to fight about
French fry aficionados will be pleased to hear that NewTown Macon’s fourth annual French Fry Fight will be extended to three days July 9-11.
“We heard everybody’s feedback,” NewTown’s Main Street Manager and V.P. of External Affairs Emily Hopkins told the Downtown Macon Community Association on Tuesday morning. “They wanted more days to try the specials and restaurants wanting it to last longer.”
The event launched three years ago to drive sales at downtown restaurants.
Hopkins warned new business owners that downtown traditionally sees a slump in sales during the summer when more families travel.
Because July 4th falls on a Friday and some businesses will be closed, NewTown also plans to move the traditional First Friday event to July 11, which happens any time the first Friday is also a holiday.
“We’ll have two great Fridays in July,” Hopkins said.
Downtown business owner Gloria Stanley also reminded the Association of the upcoming Macon Make Music Day on Saturday, June 21.
More than five years ago, Stanley founded the event as part of the international festival begun in France in 1982 that is now in 1,000 cities in 120 countries.
This year’s “Boots on the Ground Downtown Boogie” features various free and family-friendly events downtown and beyond featuring the popular line dance, including a “Dance Happens!” event at the Atrium Health Navicent Wellness Center on Sunday, June 22 at 3:30 p.m.
For the latest information on scheduled events, visit makemusicday.org/macon.
— Civic Journalism Senior Fellow Liz Fabian covers Macon-Bibb County government entities for The Macon Newsroom and can be reached at fabian_lj@mercer.edu or 478-301-2976.
