On Friday, November 17, Mayor Lester Miller, Alex Morrison with the Urban Development Authority (UDA), and partners announced the UDA will take over the former Macon Health Club and building and parking lot across First Street in an effort to revitalize and rejuvenate the entire block.

“This has been a long time coming and I’m so excited we are finally getting the ball rolling with this project,” said Mayor Miller. “This collaborative effort will allow us to bring life back to this area of Downtown Macon very soon.”

“This couldn’t be a better opportunity for Macon-Bibb,” said Karla Redding-Andrews, Vice-President and Executive Director of the Otis Redding Foundation. “Mayor Miller, I applaud you for your risks, for your tenacity to make Macon-Bibb the best that it can always be. This is going to be an amazing project for so many people.”

“The exchange of properties aligns the respective authorities more to their mission, providing opportunities for new growth and development, both at the Health Club and former bankers building,” said Morrison.

The exchange of properties leading up to the announcement will allow the UDA to begin making plans for what can be done with the buildings, and what will best serve Downtown and entire community.

“We want to bring the health club back to life by creating another space for people to work out Downtown, but we also want to see more living spaces and restaurants in this area,” said Mayor Miller. “If we can continue to get that foot traffic, we’re going to continue to move things forward.”

The redevelopment of the buildings will build upon the momentum created by Otis Redding Foundation’s move to nearby, the opening of Hotel 45, and the major, SPLOST-funded renovation of the City Auditorium. It will also provide the area with more parking through the use of the parking deck.