Macon-Bibb County leaders packed into the Douglass Theatre on Wednesday morning to be some of the first to see the final design for the new Macon Arena that is expected to break ground this summer and open in 2028.
Unlike earlier prototypes that featured massive glass facades, the circular heart of the building is trimmed in what Mayor Lester Miller called “Lizella mud” bricks.
PBK Architects features a fly-through video of the new arena on its homepage, and immersed itself into Macon’s culture while designing the 230,000-square-foot facility that could accommodate up to 12,000 people at one time, including its flex space.
A building accent that rises up from the top of the first floor wing pays homage to the Ocmulgee Mounds. Macon’s music heritage is highlighted by what looks like record groves on the roof’s overhang, and a wall along Second Street has lighted bands that resemble guitar frets.
The 180-degree concert configuration, state-of-the-art sound system and sight-line studies that were conducted mean there is not a “bad seat in the house,” MFA Project Management’s Will Christenbury said.
In addition to the “bowl seating,” luxury suites, club suites and loge boxes give options for premium seating.
Concession stands are designed with the main arena still in view so fans won’t miss any of the action while getting snacks. PBK also is looking at arranging technology to allow visitors to order food and beverages from their seats.
A 300-space VIP parking garage will attach to the arena, and another 500-space, standalone parking deck may be added on the Piedmont Macon Medical Center side.
The hospital currently uses parking spaces at the Coliseum.
Bibb schools partner
While the design stole the show, “The Big Reveal” also announced the integral role the Bibb County School System will have as a partner in the project.
A nearly 35,000-square-foot “flex hall” will attach to the arena to house three basketball or volleyball courts with another layer of ice underneath to supplement the hockey rink in the main arena.
Superintendent Dan Sims explained plans for a future career center to be added onto the flex hall which will allow students to learn trades such as graphic design, audio-video skills and catering and hospitality.
Hands-on learning is key to landing jobs in today’s market, Sims said.
The arena also will be the district’s graduation venue for decades to come.
Sims pondered what it will be like for Bibb County students to attend events, learn job skills and graduate from the Macon Arena.
Visit Macon CEO Gary Wheat is so excited about the possibilities for the new venue that he came back from his family vacation to attend the unveiling.
Wheat emphasized that major events will draw people who will spend the night and bring millions of dollars of additional revenue to the community.
He predicted his staff’s phones will be ringing off the hook to book events at the arena once the world gets a look at the design.
Miller, who said he’s about as old as the Macon Coliseum, recognized people are nostalgic for the memories they made in that venue that opened in 1968, but that the facility can no longer keep up with the demands of modern performers, conventioneers and audiences.
“Memories will remain, but Macon-Bibb County is looking ahead, not behind,” Miller said.
The county is “going big and bold” to build a facility that will be the envy of the state and draw people to town from all around and make them want to come back again and again, he said.
Miller also said the new arena would be a great complement to the expected national park designation for the Ocmulgee Mounds, which will also create more economic opportunities in the region and especially at the proposed East Bank development across Coliseum Drive from the arena.
The Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority agreed to up to $350 million in bonds to fund the project with terms that cap the interest rate at 6% and limit payback on the Series 2026 bonds to $29 million annually.
The following is a summary of social media posts sent during the arena design reveal.
— Peyton Anderson Civic Journalism Senior Fellow Liz Fabian covers Macon-Bibb County government entities and can be reached at [email protected] or 478-301-2976.
