With a full county commission in attendance for the first time this year, Macon-Bibb County got approval to condemn blighted properties, hire architects for a new convention center complex, accept more than $400,000 in judicial and public safety grants, and staff lifeguards at Lake Tobesofkee.
The special called meeting was the first for newly-elected District 5 Commissioner Andrea Cooke, who was sworn in the day before in Commission Chambers at City Hall. Cooke will finish out the term of former Mayor Pro Tem Seth Clark who resigned in January to launch a bid for lieutenant governor, but decided not to run.
A lengthy executive session dominated the meeting before Interim County Attorney Duke Groover explained how the county will exercise eminent domain to gain control of blighted properties “that pose a threat to public safety and health,” whose owners have not responded to county demands to clean them up.
Owners of a handful of the 17 properties on the list requested to meet with Groover after the evening’s public hearing to discuss their plans to rebuild or renovate.
Each property was independently assessed and inspected, if necessary, and Superior Court of Bibb County will review each case separately, according to the resolution. Houses the county acquires could be offered for sale through the Macon-Bibb County Land Bank Authority.
Prior to Tuesday’s meeting, the county made offers of “just compensation” to the owners but they did not come to voluntary agreements to acquire the property.
Through Macon-Bibb County Code Enforcement, the county identified hundreds of blighted properties and demolished many of them. More delinquent properties are expected to come before commissioners in the future to explore eminent domain options in those cases.
Convention Center, grants, lifeguards
Commissioners also authorized Mayor Lester Miller to enter into a $1.1 million professional services agreement with TVS Design to provide initial designs for a new $165.5 million downtown convention center and hotel on county land bordered by First and Walnut streets and Riverside Drive.
The county will use interest earned on American Rescue Plan Act funds for the work to include conceptual and schematic designs following up on the master plan TVS completed last year.
Convention Center plans call for up to 50,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 20,000-square foot ballroom and 20,000 square feet of meeting space. A connecting 200-room, 145,000-square-foot, 11-story hotel will include a restaurant and bar with seating for up to 90 people and nine floors of guestrooms.
Also on Tuesday’s agenda, commissioners approved $1.27 million in 2018 SPLOST funds for IT upgrades to the county courthouse, and approved nearly $690K for Tyler Technologies to provide internet software.
Grants from Georgia’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council will allot $65K for counseling and treatment for felony drug court, and fund domestic violence programs under the Victims Against Women Act with $84.5K for the District Attorney’s Office and $75.8K for the Solicitor General’s Office.
The Macon-Bibb County Law Enforcement Foundation awarded nearly $176K for new vehicles for animal control and the commission authorized the extension of a contract with the Apparel Authority for fire department uniforms, as needed.
Commissioners also approved a $150,000 contract with Aquatic Management to provide lifeguards for the summer season at Lake Tobesofkee, and authorized necessary budget adjustments within county department’s line items.
Here are agenda highlights captured in social media posts during the meeting.
— 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.
