The owner of the 478 Lounge on Shurling Drive will have to wait at least two weeks to learn whether she will be granted an alcohol license after Macon-Bibb County commissioners tabled the matter.
Lanita Hunt surrendered her license in 2022 after it was suspended following a fatal shooting of a security guard at her Rodeo Bar and Grill on Pio Nono Avenue, and sheriff’s deputies discovered the video camera system was not recording, as required by law.
In 2025, Hunt secured a five-year lease for 478 Lounge at 1715 Shurling Drive and opened under a temporary alcohol license, but on Nov. 4 commissioners denied her application due to concerns over her history.
At Tuesday’s meeting, they reconsidered their decision following a December administrative hearing and remarks made by former mayor and attorney Robert Reichert, who was representing Hunt.
The matter was tabled after two commissioners who originally supported the license changed their minds after Hunt and Reichert left Commission Chambers. .
Also from Tuesday’s agenda, the commission approved $2.75 million in 2018 SPLOST interest money to finish renovations at the City Auditorium, including building bathrooms on the main floor.
Commissioner Bill Howell applauded the move on behalf of handicapped citizens like his wife, who struggled to make it to the bathrooms in the basement.
Pickleball players will see the courts resurfaced at Tattnall Square Park with nearly $103,000 from 2018 SPLOST funds.
The county also appropriated another $60,000 for A1 Monitoring under the Macon Violence Prevention program. The company helps Bibb County reduce jail overcrowding by monitoring detainees and non-violent offenders who don’t necessarily have to be behind bars.
Mayor Lester Miller explained that the original contract could not foresee how many people would be monitored or for how long, so a supplemental payment was needed.
Commissioners also approved an extra $22,000 for the Probate Court to purchase online index books.
After the Knight Foundation funded a nationwide search for a new Chief Information Office, CIO, for the IT department, Macon-Bibb selected a woman with Middle Georgia ties.
Commissioners approved the appointment of Tekquell Watson who most recently worked in Washington, D.C., as CIO for the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences.
The Air Force veteran worked at Robins Air Force Base in the Special Missions Division and received multiple medals and awards for her service.
Watson earned her masters in Information Technology with magna cum laude honors from Grantham University in Kansas City, Kansas, and graduated from Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville with bachelor’s in Computer Information Technology.
The county honored Howard High School multi-sport athlete Ta’Shawn Poole, the school’s first All-American who is being recruited by premier college football programs including the University of Georgia, Ohio State, University of Tennessee, Florida State and the University of Michigan.
County Manager Keith Moffett declared Feb. 17 as Ta’Shawn Poole Day in Macon.
Here are highlights from the meeting captured in social media posts.
— 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.
