Construction of the new Macon Arena could bring at least 320 jobs over the next two and a half years, according to MFA program management’s senior project manager, Will Christenbury.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the Macon-Bibb County Commission approved the selection of Barton Malow, a century-old construction firm launched in Detroit, to build the 10,000 seat facility to replace the aging Coliseum.
Over the last five years, Barton Malow has built $3.4 billion in sports and entertainment centers across the country, and completed 100 projects in Georgia. In 2017, Barton Malow finished the nearly $863 million Little Caesars Arena where the Detroit Pistons and Red Wings play.
“That shows they have the expertise and experience to build what Macon-Bibb County is trying to do here,” Christenbury told commissioners before the vote.
Ranked as Building Design + Construction magazine’s No.4 of the nation’s top sports contractors, Barton Malow will work with local contractor Sheridan Construction, which has completed over 500 Macon projects totalling over $600 million over the last 25 years.
In June, the county hired MFA to oversee the 10,000-seat arena project from the bid selection to completion. In September, Christenbury and his colleagues announced PBK Design and Planning will design the arena. They expect a cost estimate on the project to be available in the next few months.
For Middle Georgia Regional Airport, commissioners approved a $29,000 contract for Signal Aviation Consulting to provide marketing, industry analysis for potential new flights, social media support and on-call consulting. The airport fund will cover the contract as the county is expanding the runway and building a new guitar-shaped executive terminal.
Commissioners also approved dipping into the airport fund for nearly $30,000 for additional furniture to update the secure area of the current passenger terminal.
For Carolyn Crayton Park, commissioners agreed to hire Middle Georgia Outdoor Lighting to install $628,000 in additional lighting through pre-approved 2018 SPLOST funds.
Counseling funds, Rogers tribute
When Mayor Lester Miller learned the Family Counseling Center expected a 50% drop in federal and local funding related to victims’ services, he stepped in to offer $50,000 from interest earned on the county’s American Rescue Plan Act fund.
Commissioners approved funding the center, which has been a partner in the Macon Violence Prevention Program.
The center’s executive director, Christy Henry, said they expect to hold 4,500 counseling sessions serving more than 1,200 people this year. Those statistics amount to a 47% increase in sessions and a 20% increase in clients over 2024, she said.
“Our greatest growth in crime type are survivors of homicide related to the triple homicide in May, including 30 clients, eight of them children,” Henry said. “This funding will provide victims of crime in Macon-Bibb free counseling without a wait, as timing is critical.”
Crime victims are her most vulnerable clients and lack of timely care can have severe consequences such as unsafe coping, family instability, suicide and perpetuation of violence and crime.
Macon-Bibb County also plans to honor the late Josh Rogers, CEO of NewTown Macon who collapsed and died of a heart attack while on a run through downtown nearly a year ago.
Third Street between Poplar and Cherry streets will be designated Josh Rogers Way. Commissioners approved spending up to $500 for the memorial signage in the media park.
Also on the agenda, commissioners reversed their denial of the alcohol license for Sonni Gas Venture at 4331 Pio Nono Ave. after the owner paid overdue taxes.
The county also approved alcohol licenses for Reliance Food Mart at 3609 Pio Nono Ave. and Quick Zip at 3518 Jeffersonville Road.
Here are highlights from the meeting captured in social media posts during the proceedings.
— Civic Journalism Senior Fellow Liz Fabian covers Macon-Bibb County government entities and can be reached at [email protected] or 478-301-2976.
