Lake Tobesofkee residents should not fear an intrusion on their lifestyle from an unsolicited proposal to transform Macon-Bibb County’s recreation areas, Mayor Lester Miller said during this month’s Ask Mayor Miller program. (8:38 into video)
Miller addressed multiple topics, including mental health issues and trauma, (0:42), curbing violence, (3:06), a $50 million SPLOST campaign for road repair, (17:31), Macon Mall shopping options, (12:45), courting Trader Joe’s, (15:15) the mayor’s possible future run for Georgia governor, (19:19), and Lovejoy Capital’s $23 million plan for the lake.
“It’s going to be not very intrusive at all. We’re not giving up all control of the lake. I want to get that out there to start with,” Miller said. “We’re not going to give up all of our employees at the lake. This is going to be an amenity that’s added to the lake in certain spots.”
While nearby neighbors raised concerns about disturbing the Lake Tobesofkee Duck Ponds at the old fish hatcheries off Bonner Gilbert Road, Miller said new glamping facilities and elevated trails are proposed within a couple hundred acres of undeveloped land the mayor removed from the county’s surplus property list.
“This property would have already been sold for private development. Who knows what might have happened. Might have been apartment complexes out there, for all I know,” he said.
The natural beauty of the Duck Ponds and its wildlife inspired Miller to dream of what was possible in enhancing the lake’s attractions and economic viability, he said.
Instead of the county pumping nearly $500,000 a year to cover the lake’s expenses, Lovejoy’s proposal projects about a $1 million in county revenue in just the first year from profit sharing and hotel-motel tax. Another $200,000 is expected to be invested annualy in protecting Tobesofkee’s natural resources.
Just as Claystone and Sandy beaches and the Arrowhead campgrounds are currently out of sight from the roads and nearby neighborhoods, the new sustainable tents and accommodations also will be embedded in the natural woods.
Unlike existing traditional campgrounds, these planned tree pods and small dwellings will be immersed in the natural setting and can be repositioned, if necessary.
“The glamping sites are very unique. I mean, it’s kind of the new thing. They’re not ugly. They’re good looking things that we put right there by the lake, so give people opportunities to actually stay there,” Miller said. “It’s going to be very eco-friendly.”
He also stressed that this plan is only a proposal at this point. The county will request other proposals for 90 days before making a decision.
Miller does not see enhanced tourism as hurting the natural resources but preserving them.
“It’s going to get better access and utilization of the lake to make it more sustainable over a period of time, so our children, our grandchildren and our great grandchildren can have a place to do and not have an abandoned place there that loses money every year,” he said.
More glamping and an intricate world-class maze are planned for the defunct Sandy Beach Water Park that closed last year after struggling to stay open for eight years.
Roads, development, violence, mental health
The mayor is banking on voters approving a 2025 SPLOST proposal to include $50 million for road work. After years of neglect, he believes the funds would allow the county to pave more roads in “one swoop” than they have in the past 25 years.
“We can hit every road in Macon that needs to be repaired or replaced. You know, we haven’t done a good job of repairing them in the past, I’ve said that,” he said. “So, we need to replace all those roads and areas that have been neglected for a while and every district will be hit.”
Miller received a few comments related to bringing more stores and less offices to Macon Mall, and one inquiry about what it will take to land a Trader Joe’s in Macon.
Retail establishments have struggled in the age of online shopping, he said. (13:16)
“So, you’re not going to have stores just chomping at the bit to come into a mall. It’s a kind of a thing of the past. So, one way to make sure that we have the foot traffic necessary is to make sure that we have a diversified use there,” Miller said.
The new library branch, government offices and the Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections bring people to the mall, which could help recruit new businesses. (12:05)
Miller also wants a more diversified use of the amphitheater and is considering an advisory board to identify new options such as a seafood festival, skating and food truck events.
The county is getting more inquiries from restaurants and retail establishments interested in that area of town, he said. Miller also expects a new hotel and residences along the Eisenhower corridor in the future.
Trader Joe’s is often mentioned as a desired grocery store, and Ask Mayor Miller participant Jamie Marks asked Miller what can be done to encourage them to locate in Macon.
Marks has tried an online campaign.
“Going to the websites and doing that is not going to move the needle forward,” Miller said. “We’re doing some things behind the scenes. Trader Joe’s is aware of Macon-Bibb County. We are on the map. We’ve got some other things that have to happen before that, and we’re working on that.” (15:31)
The mayor also expects Congress to vote this fall on the proposal to establish a national park at Ocmulgee Mounds and adds that the East Bank development process is progressing. (21:33)
“So, a lot of wonderful things on the horizon and I think I can’t wait to be able at least to share a little bit about that to the public,” he said.
Macon-Bibb also continues to fund the Macon Violence Prevention Program, which announced its third round of grants this week through the Community Foundation of Central Georgia.
The MVP program won a State Visionary Award and Miller hopes the county’s research and focus on mental health and Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs also will serve as a statewide model. (00:43)
“We need to make sure that we recognize that we do have some serious issues, especially through mental trauma for our youth and how we can address those,” he said.
Miller plans to coordinate resources through the Mental Health Matters program to help those struggling to overcome childhood trauma and adversity, and share findings and best practices with other communities.
The mayor also discussed his recent polling for a potential bid for governor and hinted about a possible third term as mayor, which would require a charter change. (19:19)
“I will say that I’m pleasantly surprised at the polls,” he said. “So, we’ll see where it takes us. Right now, I think the opportunity is to be the best mayor I can be and I want to be here as long as the people will allow me to be here.”
During this month’s Ask Mayor Miller program, several candidates for 13WMAZ’s Junior Journalist team shared their thoughts and concerns with the mayor.
Submit your question to [email protected] and we’ll bring you some answers next month.
—Civic journalism senior fellow Liz Fabian covers Macon-Bibb County government entities and can be reached at [email protected] or 478-957-2829.
