On Thursday, June 8, Macon-Bibb Public Works began tearing down the abandoned and blighted building at 155 Coliseum Drive, the site of the former Bibb Mill. This was demolition #536 in the ongoing Blight Fight, but it represents a major step forward in economic development and revitalization for that area of East Macon.

“Blight in one neighborhood impacts every neighborhood, and we made our community a process to attack it more aggressively than it ever has been before,” says Mayor Lester Miller. “This isn’t just a regular demolition; this is one that is opening an area for future development and will greatly impact our already growing tourism industry.”

“With shops and restaurants and entertainment here, they’ll be more easily be able to walk to them, all them to enjoy the same amenities many other people already enjoy,” says District 3 Commissioner Elaine Lucas. “We’ve all worked so hard to make this happen, and I’m so pleased it’s finally taking ship.”

Local leaders – from elected officials to development professionals to community groups – have long seen the potential of the former Bibb Mill site on Coliseum Drive. It’s the perfect location to become a vibrant center of activity and a gateway from I-16 into both East Macon and Downtown.

“Our city has been talking about this property as a gateway into Downtown and into the Ocmulgee Mounds for so many years, and now it’s becoming a reality,” says Trish Whitley, Director of Destination Development for Visit Macon. “With this site getting developed in a way that compliments the Park and supports the growing and strengthening Downtown, as well as the Convention Center and Coliseum across the street, we know it will bring even more people to our community.”

Macon-Bibb County recently bought the 21 acres and is actively looking for a developer to build something where people will be proud to live, to come to work, to jog and bike, and to give people a better first look at our community. Because of the size of the property, its location on the interstate, and its proximity to area attractions, it’s estimated it could attract $350 million in private investment.

“This is a direct and intentional investment in the future of East Macon and the entire community,” says Commissioner Paul Bronson. “With a development of this scale, we’ll be better able to serve the needs of people in the surrounding area, all while bringing more people here to find out who we are.”

By owning the property, Macon-Bibb County has control over what’s built there, to make sure it fits the overall community vision for the area and its future. And its location means that its redevelopment will have a major impact on many aspects of our lives and the future of other efforts in the city.

That includes being able to attract larger conferences to the Convention Center, providing more affordable housing during Downtown’s resurgence, creating a more accessible entrance to the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, providing more funds for infrastructure improvements in the neighborhoods, increasing sales tax revenue (thus reducing property taxes), and more.