January 10, 2025 * Issue 412 | |
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Pardon our progress at City Hall while we get a new parking deck! On Tuesday, January 7, the Urban Development Authority (UDA), Macon-Bibb County, and development partners held a ceremonial groundbreaking to celebrate the first phase of the Lofts at D. T. Walton project.
“This is a piece of property that is right at the heart of so many things that we’re planning,” said UDA Executive Director Alex Morrison. “Being a surfaced parking lot, we’re able to turn it into something that generates revenue for the city, provides greater benefit to the business owners downtown, and provides opportunities for new residents to join us in the revitalization of Downtown Macon.
Phase 1 of the project includes a parking deck for Macon-Bibb County employees and the public, with 363 parking spaces. Phase 2, which is set to begin later this year, includes 146 apartments, retail, and office space.
“The apartment mix is going to be a really good one for this area, because we’re going to have a really wide variety of units,” said Gateway/75 Developer Scott Thompson. “Ranging from 600-square foot 1-bedroom units to some town house units.”
This project coincides with other projects happening along First Street in downtown.
“We’re grateful for the UDA and Gateway/75’s commitment to making our downtown a better place,” said Mayor Lester Miller. “This project is more than just parking spaces, it’s part of our mission to reimagine First Street. We’re already seeing progress being made with Rosa Parks Square, the space where the abandoned hotel was imploded, old Macon health club, and more.”
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Gardens at Brookdale grows
4 tons of food since start
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Fresh tomatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers, peas, and SO much more came through the kitchen at the Brookdale Resource Center and into the bellies of residents there. In fact, more than 4 tons of food has been harvested at the Gardens at Brookdale since the first seeds were planted on April 11, 2023.
“Our second year at Brookdale surpassed my expectations, not just in the quantity of food we produced but also in the incredible support from volunteers and various community groups,” said Gardens at Brookdale Manager Susan Fisher. “Through the hands-on classes we conducted, we educated people on growing their own food while spreading awareness about Brookdale. It has truly been and continues to be a collaborative team effort in every way!”
In 2023, the Gardens produced 4,230 pounds of produce, and this year, while slightly under, they grew and harvested 3,965 pounds. This food was planted and maintained by Fisher and volunteers, then made into delicious meals by the Resource Center chefs for residents staying there.
“I am so proud of how this project has grown – literally,” said Mayor Lester Miller. “This started off as an idea and has evolved into something so special and beneficial for so many people in our community.”
The Bibb County Cooperative Extension provides a variety of opportunities to help out at the Gardens, while also learning helpful gardening tips. Click here to follow for updates.
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The first Macon Mental Health Matters (MMHM) Wellness Weekend is happening this weekend. It kicked off with the Women’s Mental Health Meetup on Thursday, January 9 at Chic Culture, Inc. (446 Cotton Avenue). This meetup happens every second Thursday of each month in conjunction with Wellness Weekend.
Yoga in the Plaza, which is typically on Friday, and the Healing Hike, which is typically Sunday, are cancelled due to freezing temperatures.
The Pop-Up Gym will happen on Saturday, January 11, at the Booker T. Washington Community Center (401 Monroe Street) from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. People will be able to enjoy a drum circle, yoga, therapy, and fresh produce. They will also be able to preview the new Sensory Room by Leadership Macon Class of 2024.
A sensory room creates a safe space in a building where children can go to self-regulate and decompress using calming, therapeutic features. The Class converted a room in the Center by painting the walls calming colors and adding special lighting, soft chairs, therapeutic toys, sound machines, and more.
“This is a new year and a new opportunity to take care of your mental health, and we want to help,” says MMHM Director Andrea Cooke.
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East Macon announces inaugural EastSideOutLoud Unity Day | |
From Macon Black Culture - The East Macon community is thrilled to announce the establishment of EastSideOutLoud Unity Day, a vibrant annual celebration set to debut on Sunday, January 19, 2025 from 2-6pm. This groundbreaking event, strategically scheduled on MLK Weekend, aims to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while fostering unity, pride, and progress within the East Macon community.
EastSideOutLoud Unity Day will kick off with a spirited parade starting at Burdell Hunt Elementary School, winding down Maynard Street, and concluding at Rosa Jackson Recreation Center. The parade will showcase the diversity and spirit of East Macon, featuring students, parents, educators, community leaders, and residents from all walks of life.
Following the parade, attendees will gather for an exhilarating pep rally at Rosa Jackson Recreation Center. The rally will feature:
• Live music from a local DJs
• Activities & Resources
• Local vendors showcasing their talents and goods
• Special recognition of community achievements
A highlight of the celebration will be the honoring of local sports champions, Northeast Raiders, All-City Champions, Regional Champions, and Georgia State Champion Runner-Ups. These young athletes embody the values of determination and teamwork that East Macon holds dear.
“EastSideOutLoud Unity Day is more than just a celebration; it’s a movement that embodies Dr. King’s vision of peace, unity, and collective strength,” said Community Organizer Marshall Talley. “This event will serve as an annual reminder of the power we hold when we come together as one community.”
The organizers envision EastSideOutLoud Unity Day as a new tradition that will strengthen community bonds, celebrate local achievements, and provide a platform for every voice in East Macon to be heard.
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New year, new calendar! Our Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is making it easy for you to stay up to date, while also staying safe. EMA has officially released its 2025 Community Preparedness Calendar.
“These calendars were such a hit the first year, we knew they needed to come back again,” said Emergency Management Director Spencer Hawkins. “One of the best parts of this project is working with the Bibb County school kids who provided all of the art for the calendars. This also would not have been possible if not for the generous donation by Irving Tissue.”
Students from different Bibb County Schools participated in an art contest in September, making art that shows how people should stay safe ahead of and during a disaster. Along with the artwork, EMA provides helpful tips and information you should know to be prepared.
Students who are featured in the calendar include Kennidy Mitchell, Atia Traynham, and Myrah Reeaves from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School; Herra Buenaventura, Jesse Jiang, and Tessa Smith from Sonny Carter Elementary School; Za'Darius Center and Daindre Center from Westside High School; Jace Hall, Kiersten Jones, Liliana Serrano, Sawyer Hawkins, and Sylvia Jones from Vineville Academy; and Shiasa Roach from John R. Lewis Elementary School.
“This project was led by our Special Projects Officer, Sophie Rosen. She worked for months with the Bibb County School District, the individual schools and the Hutchins Career Academy print shop to bring this amazing calendar to you,” said Hawkins. “I am very proud of her efforts and hard work.”
Irving Tissue donated $2,000 to support the EMA’s mission of sharing vital disaster preparedness information with the residents of Macon-Bibb County.
You can pick up your calendar at 18 different locations, but you can also download a PDF file here.
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Kazoo Exhibit on display at the Tubman Museum | |
From Visit Macon - Visit Macon and the Tubman African American Museum are pleased to announce that this February, the kazoo will return home to Macon, Georgia as part of a special Black History Month exhibit in partnership with the Kazoo Museum & Factory of Beaufort, SC.
A VIP opening reception for the exhibit will be on National Kazoo Day, January 28th from 5-6:30pm. The media is also encouraged to attend for additional announcements. The exhibit will remain up through the entirety of February & March. Museum hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday 9am-5pm. Standard admission is $10 for adults and $6 for ages 3-17. AAA, AARP, Senior, Student, Educator & Military discounts are available, as well as, group rates. Please visit tubmanmuseum.com to learn more.
This pop-up exhibit has been created and customized for Macon and the Tubman Museum, by the original designer/curator of the Kazoo Museum. The exhibit celebrates more than 150 years of kazoo history featuring rare and historic kazoo archives from around the world and colorful, interactive, made-for-selfie photo opps. The booming music city (where Little Richard, James Brown, The Allman Brothers and Otis Redding all got their starts) will feature the instrument and the musicians who ultimately became fans like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and more.
Legend has it that freed slave Alabama Vest created the musical instrument we know and love as the kazoo in Macon, Georgia in the 1840s. Inspired by the African horn-mirliton or onion flute, Vest brought his original prototype- made from a simple wooden tube with a piece of paper attached to it- to local clockmaker Thaddeus Von Clegg. Together they produced a design that they officially debuted at the Georgia State Fair in Macon in 1852, calling it a "Down South Submarine."
Curator Boaz Frankle describes the exhibit as:
- “A playful, educational and interactive exhibit that celebrates the kazoo and Macon’s role in its creation
- over 150 years of unique and fascinating kazoo history
- rare and historic kazoos from around the world
- bright, colorful and ready for selfies
- We’ll highlight how kazoos played an integral role in early blues and jazz music and how the instrument crossed paths with personalities including Questlove, Mister Rogers, Dionne Warwick, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and many others.”
“We believe this brightly colored exhibit featuring a favorite hometown legend of the kazoo is an exciting addition to the Tubman Museum, and our role as the largest museum of its kind in the southeast dedicated to educating people about the art, history and culture of African Americans.” explains the museum’s Executive Director, Harold Young. “The story of Alabama Vest as a black inventor is an important one to Macon, Georgia and we are proud to continue educating the world about it.”
“Visit Macon is excited to bring another small piece of our city’s music history home!” states Gary Wheat, President & CEO of Visit Macon. “And we know that, while the exhibit may be small, it will make some noise in our efforts to draw attention to all that our destination has to offer. There will be more announcements shortly about all that we have planned for the fascinating little historical connection of this instrument to Macon, Georgia. …You could even say one for the record books!”
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NewTown Macon, Macon-Middle Georgia Black Pages announce winners of the Downtown Diversity Initiative | |
From NewTown Macon - In partnership with the Macon-Middle Georgia Black Pages, NewTown Macon completed the fifth round of the Downtown Diversity Initiative (DDI). Today, NewTown Macon and the Macon-Middle Georgia Black Pages announced the winners of the 2024 Downtown Diversity Initiative at Upper Echelon WRLD Clothing on Forsyth Street.
Since its launch in 2018, the Downtown Diversity Initiative has trained 167 entrepreneurs, graduated 99 participants and provided $120,000 in grant funding to participants. Now in its fifth year, the program continues to serve as a catalyst for disrupting the racial wealth gap and building a thriving, inclusive downtown community.
“The Downtown Diversity Initiative was inspired by the idea that downtown Macon, the heart of our community, should be where everyone has the opportunity to shape their financial future,” said Alex Habersham, publisher of the Macon-Middle Georgia Black Pages. “Through this program, we have equipped entrepreneurs with the resources they need to run successful and sustainable businesses while filling downtown’s storefronts at the same time.”
Over the past five years, DDI has advanced NewTown Macon’s strategic goal of increasing Black-owned businesses downtown. Since 2021, the percentage of Black-owned businesses increased from 18% to 27.96%, with 53 Black-owned businesses now operating in the downtown area. Simultaneously, downtown storefront occupancy has hit a record high of 83%.
“Downtown Macon is where vision meets opportunity,” said Lauren Marshall, vice president of community development at NewTown Macon. “The Downtown Diversity Initiative empowers local entrepreneurs to turn their dreams into thriving realities by providing the tools, training, and support needed to create successful, sustainable businesses that enrich our community.”
The Downtown Diversity Initiative is a six-session business training program designed to attract more Black business owners and customers to Macon’s urban core. Through group learning and presentations by local industry experts, participants developed an informed and complete business plan and set of financial projections. The program curriculum focuses on helping entrepreneurs develop their value proposition, target customer, customer success delivery, financial reports, and sustainable business funding and wealth-building strategies.
Twenty-five entrepreneurs successfully presented their concepts and graduated as part of the 2024 cohort. The five entrepreneurs with the highest scores from the pitch contest were awarded $5,000 thanks to Wells Fargo’s generous sponsorship of the program. These awards will enable entrepreneurs to start or scale their current businesses. Winners include:
Alison Booker – Wonder Media: A multimedia production company capturing the essence of every story through video creation and photography, delivering impactful and innovative imagery.
Rachel Solomon – TheRadiantPop: A digital advertising and marketing agency serving small businesses and nonprofits, offering professional services and educational support for well-informed decision-making.
Kia Nikole Sutton – Fee Simple Law: Specializing in real estate closings, Fee Simple Law provides exceptional legal services for purchases, sales and refinances, offering mobile closings across Metro Atlanta and Middle Georgia.
Keysha Foster Washington – Simply Grace Aesthetics: A multicultural facial studio offering elevated luxury skin care therapy and total body wellness, focusing on healthy skin results.
Lonzo Whitfield – Upper Echelon WRLD Clothing: A downtown Macon streetwear boutique featuring a curated collection of rare, one-of-a-kind fashion that sets trends.
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The Hub is Macon-Bibb County's source of information for employees, residents, businesses, and partners. With this regular e-blast, the Office of Communications provides a consistent flow of information about the efforts and successes of the consolidated government and partners to strengthen Macon-Bibb as the Hub City of Middle Georgia.
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The Office of Communications include Media Relations, event planning, photography and video services, criss communication, and more. Its goal is to provide people information about the consolidated government and partner organizations,
and to give them the chance to provide feedback, ask questions,
and request services.
The Office has earned multiple
recognitions for its efforts.
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Macon-Bibb County
Macon-Bibb County is the fourth largest city in Georgia. Created on January 1, 2014 after being approved by the voters, it is Georgia's newest consolidated government and serves about 155,000 residents and thousands more visitors.
Its governing body consists of 10 Commissioners, with the Mayor serving as its Chair and the Chief Executive Office of the administration.
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