Public invited to provide input into East Bank development

The Macon-Bibb County Office of Planning & Public Spaces is inviting the public to share their thoughts on the future of the former Bibb Mill site, which is now known as the East Bank Project. The opportunity to provide feedback will be November 21 at the Mill Hill Community Arts Center (213 Clinton Street).

During the event, there will be two presentations followed by a Question & Answer session with the planners, and those will happen at 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. In between those times, people can drop in to provide their feedback.

"We want to hear from our community what they think of this area and what they want to see their in the future, from the buildings, trails, public spaces, and more," says Director of Planning & Public Spaces Alex Morrison. "This is a critical junction between Downtown, East Macon neighborhoods, Centreplex, and the Park, and we only get one chance to get it right and make sure we are meeting the needs of our community and its residents."

"I hope that residents and businesses surrounding the Park and Downtown attend and help us create a new gateway into our community and into our past," says Visit Macon President & CEO Gary Wheat. "With Macon-Bibb leading this process, we can ensure the development complements the National Park, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, East Macon, Downtown, and all we have going on to move our community forward."

"We want to see everyone's ideas of how to make that area of Macon thrive - as well as feedback on the issues and obstacles the area faces - that can be included in the National Park strategic planning process that will begin in 2025," says Matt Chalfa, Director of Strategic Planning for the Ocmulgee National Park & Preserve Initiative. "We're especially interested in the local knowledge and perspective that residents of East Macon and Fort Hill can provide as to what they think would benefit their neighborhoods and what role the Park can play in that."

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.

By buying the property, Macon-Bibb County gained 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. Because of the size of the property, its location on the interstate, and its proximity to Downtown, the Convention Center, and the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, estimated it could attract $350 million in private investment.

"When people get off the interstate to come to shows at the Centreplex or go to a conference at the Marriott or head Downtown, we want to make sure they're greeted with something that makes them want to stay longer, to see all that we have to offer," says Mayor Lester Miller.

"We are being very intentional to make sure this development benefits locals above all while being the front porch of Macon-Bibb to the new visitors who will be coming for the national park," adds Morrison. "That we are at a stage where we can consider projects of this scope is a testament to years of diligent and exceptional work in developing downtown, Mill Hill, and the trail system."