“We know that this is just a single milestone, and your Commission is behind you. Here’s to 700 more; congratulations,” Mayor Pro Tem Clark said.

“I think we can all agree that we’re doing great work in that area. We say time and time again that this is more than tearing down; it’s about building up,” replied Mayor Lester Miller, pointing out the millions the Commission has put toward beginning the in-fill process.

The 700^th demolition happened at 1160 Holt Avenue, an abandoned house with a large hole in the roof, the foundation appearing to crumble, walls falling in, and obvious signs of fires inside.

And as Mayor Pro Tem Clark pointed out right before the demolition, it was also significant for the neighborhood. It was the 22^nd demolition in the neighborhood surround Central High and Miller Middle Schools,  showing a focus to remove dangerous structures from a specific area. When #BlightFight began, Code Enforcement began by looking at dangerous structures around schools and recreation centers to make the first improvements in areas where children and families would gather.

“For three years, we have focused on removing blighted and dangerous structures from our neighborhoods because people said they were tired of it,” Mayor Lester Miller told the assembled group at that time. “They were tired of how it looked…tired of the crime it can attract…tired of the creatures that live there. Tired of thinking their neighborhoods had been forgotten.”

“Our children – and my child does walk to school already, so this is very personal to me – deserve to start and end their school days with a pleasant walk, one where they can get focused on their day or prepare for evening activities,” he said. “Not a walk where the houses are falling in, rodents live, and present other dangers. They don’t deserve this view.”

At both the demolition and the presentation of the brick, the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem both reminded the community that the demolitions are just the first step – albeit a very visible and quick one – in the #BlightFight.

Currently, several groups are working on ways to build affordable homes or even get people to buy older homes to revitalize them. Macon-Bibb and the Peyton Anderson Foundation gave $1 million ($500,000 from each) to Habitat for Humanity to build eight homes, and the mortgage payments from those will be used to build even more in the future.  Additionally, $3.2 million ($1.6 million each from Macon-Bibb and the Knight Foundation) was given to NewTown Macon and the Historic Macon Foundation, and $7.5 million started a revolving loan fund to build even more housing.

The words spoken met the calmness of the people as they sat or stood among the trees near a soon-to-be more accessible lake in South Macon-Bibb. Despite nearby roads and houses, the only sounds were that of the cicadas and the discussions about the potential of the new park to be a gathering place for the neighborhood and community.  

“This area has been a significant part of our community for generations, and what we’re doing here is bringing it up to a space that more and more people can enjoy,” Macon-Bibb Director of Planning and Public Places Alex Morrison told the assembled group of 20 community leaders and partners. “And this space can be a place of relaxation and respite and communing with nature.” 

They were gathered to mark the beginning of a major improvement project for Cliffview Lake Park, located between Cliffview Drive, Bacon Street, Rutherford Avenue, Antioch Road, and Robert Henry Street. To watch the full groundbreaking ceremony, visit the Macon-Bibb County Facebook page at www.facebook.com/maconbibbcounty. 

“Thank you to everyone involved in taking another step forward in the efforts to reinvest and strengthen this area,” said District 2 Commissioner Paul Bronson. “This is just the beginning of a better future for the residents here in South Macon.” 

The improvement to Cliffview Lake Park is funded by the voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) and includes a new pavilion, trails, docks on the lake, and a complete resurfacing of Cliffview Drive and Bacon Street. It is also a project that is part of a larger strategy to help strengthen and improve the neighborhood around Houston Avenue. 

“Providing amenities for all of our citizens, no matter where live, whatever their zip code, is something we really value in Macon-Bibb County,” added Morrison, pointing out Cliffview Lake Park was one of the first projects he was given when he took on his role. “We want to make sure all people have access to high-quality public spaces, and that they have access to recreation.” 

The focus on this area is a joint effort by Macon-Bibb County and its departments, private contractors, First Choice Primary Care, Macon Area Habitat for Humanity, and more. In mid-April, crews tore down a blighted and abandoned commercial building on Houston Avenue as part of the ongoing #BlightFight. More than 150 blighted structures have been removed around Houston Avenue – and more than 700 from the entire county – in just a little more than three years.   

“The Blight Fight is about more than just demolition…it’s about strengthening neighborhoods, which is why we’re investing in major improvement projects like Cliffview Lake Park,” said Mayor Lester Miller. 

First Choice Primary Care – thanks to investments from Macon-Bibb’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds, the Peyton Anderson Foundation, and more – is opening a healthcare facility and pharmacy nearby to better serve families in the area. 

“Our Board has had a longstanding commitment to this neighborhood, but we are now, with support from the County and other funders, we are building a new primary care medical facility,” said Katherine McCleod, CEO of First Choice Primary Care. “We’ll be able to provide primary care to anyone, regardless of their ability to pay. We will also have a pharmacy that will be open to anyone, and you may notice there are no other pharmacies in this area of town.” 

In the past year, Macon-Bibb opened the new Frankie E. Lewis Park which includes a playground, pavilion, trail, and basketball courts…and replaces several blighted structures that were there previously. Just starting is the development of a new Cliffview Lake Park, which will provide the community a place to fish, walk trails through the woods, and more. Both projects are funded by the voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. 

“We must be purposeful and intentional about strengthening our neighborhoods, and I’m proud of the work being done here along Houston Avenue to remove the blight and begin building it all back up,” said Mayor Miller. 

An additional $500,000 in ARP funds – which was matched by the Peyton Anderson Foundation – was provided to Habitat for Humanity to take the newly created empty lots in nearby Lynmore Estates, build new homes, and help families become strong homeowners. The mortgage payments from those homes will create a revolving fund that would help build new homes for many years to come. 

“We must leverage all of our resources in our neighborhoods to truly address the needs of our friends and families because it doesn’t matter which side of the county we live in, what happens to one of us…happens to all of us,” adds Mayor Miller. “We are all in this together.” 

“The Blight Fight is about more than just demolition…it’s about strengthening neighborhoods,” said Mayor Lester Miller, noting this would be the 688^th demolition of the Blight Fight, which began in April 2021. That includes more than 150 just in the Houston Avenue area. “Removing blight is just the first step…we must reinvest in these areas to help keep more blight from happening. And that’s what we’re working toward in many areas, including here along and around Houston Avenue.”

“Being a child of Bloomfield, this particular area holds a lot of memories for me. It means a lot to me, and it means a lot to my family,” said District 7 Commissioner Bill Howell before relating his own memories of different stores and restaurants that used to exist along Houston Avenue. “I’m proud to be standing here with all the partners involved. And while I and others have memories here, sometimes we have to move forward so others can make good memories here.”

The focus on Houston Avenue is a joint effort by Macon-Bibb County and its departments, private contractors, First Choice Primary Care, Macon Area Habitat for Humanity, and more. First Choice Primary Care – thanks to investments from Macon-Bibb’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds, the Peyton Anderson Foundation, and more – is opening a healthcare facility and pharmacy nearby to better serve families in the area.

“Our Board has had a longstanding commitment to this neighborhood, but we are now, with support from the County and other funders, we are building a new primary care medical facility,” said Katherine McCleod, CEO of First Choice Primary Care. “We’ll be able to provide primary care to anyone, regardless of their ablity to pay. We will also have a pharmacy that will be open to anyone, and you may notice there are no other pharmacies in this area of town.”

In the past year, Macon-Bibb opened the new Frankie E. Lewis Park which includes a playground, pavilion, trail, and basketball courts…and replaces several blighted structures that were there previously.

“We must be purposeful and intentional about strengthening our neighborhoods, and I’m proud of the work being done here along Houston Avenue to remove the blight and begin building it all back up,” said Mayor Miller.

An additional $500,000 in ARP funds – which was matched by the Peyton Anderson Foundation – was provided to Habitat for Humanity to take the newly created empty lots in nearby Lynmore Estates, build new homes, and help families become strong homeowners. The mortgage payments from those homes will create a revolving fund that would help build new homes for many years to come.

“We must leverage all of our resources in our neighborhoods to truly address the needs of our friends and families because it doesn’t matter which side of the county we live in, what happens to one of us…happens to all of us,” adds Mayor Miller. “We are all in this together.”

The full press conference was broadcast live and can be watched by clicking here.

“It’s a great day…a new day…thanks to each of you,” Mayor Lester Miller told more than 700 people gathered at the Macon City Auditorium for the annual State of the Community, hosted by the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce. “Just like you can’t ignore the sunrise and the promise of a new day that it brings, you can’t ignore the progress we’re all making and the impact it will have on our future. “

To watch the the video highlighting the previous year, click here.

The State of the Community is a chance for the Mayor and Chamber and Mayor to look back on the work of the previous year and set the stage for coming projects and improvements. This year, the Mayor focused on making sure the community realizes that it’s our people that make us strong, are the ones making the projects (both big and small) successful, and are creating a new day of opportunity and success for all people.

“You can’t ignore the people of our community. The ones who live here, who call this place home, who raise their families here, who go to events here, who patronize our businesses and restaurants, who help and support others in need,” he said. These are “the people who understand our history. Who know our strength and potential. Who understand our challenges and know the solutions to overcome them. Who know each of us and our shared story, and how we are working together to take advantage of this new day.  

Mayor Miller pointed out the success of many projects that required people to work together as a team, including:

• advancing the chance to have Georgia’s first national park,
• the historic drop in homicide rate thanks to Macon Violence Prevention,
• the revitalization of the Macon Mall around government offices, Rhythm & Rally (the world’s largest indoor pickleball facility), and the already successful Atrium Health Amphitheater.
• three years and 700 demolitions of the Bliht Fight,
• increasing pay and budgets for public safety,
• building new affordable housing,
• major industrial developments,
• the thousands of people served by the Brookdale Resource Center and Macon Mental Health Matters, and,
• significant increase in tourism.

Looking ahead, he announced the beginning of a new facility at the airport, pay raises for all government employees, new developments in East Macon, a full rollout of the Paving the Way program to repair all roads, an increase in sports tourism, and more.

“It’s a new day in Macon because we are betting on US. We are investing in ourselves and our homes. And we are all in,” he announced. “It’s a new day in Macon-Bibb because we’re looking inward…into ourselves and into the people around us, to the people who live here…for solutions to our challenges and to help keep us on the best path forward.”

He thanked the gathered group and public because without their input and support, none of the successes the past year or three years would’ve been possible. The thanked them for caring for their home and being willing to do whatever it takes to make people’s dreams a reality and the impossible, possible.

“These are our lives…our future…and the future for so many children. We are investing in ourselves and each other because we live here. This is our home. We know what’s needed, and we’re strong enough to make it happen. 

To watch the the video highlighting the previous year, click here.

“For three years, we have focused on removing blighted and dangerous structures from our neighborhoods because people said they were tired of it,” Mayor Lester Miller told a group of several dozen standing in a vacant lot on Holt Avenue. “They were tired of how it looked…tired of the crime it can attract…tired of the creatures that live there. Tired of thinking their neighborhoods had been forgotten.”

“I have been so impressed with the professionalism, technical ability, and thoroughness of this group to get the job done, and it makes me proud our community is supported by such dedicated public servants,” Mayor Pro Tem Seth Clark said of the assembled team, each person representing a group that plays an active role in the ongoing #BlightFight.

They both stood with several dozen people from departments, agencies, utilities, schools, and the community for the demolition of 1160 Holt Avenue, an abandoned house with a large hole in the roof, the foundation appearing to crumble, walls falling in, and obvious signs of fires inside. This demolition marked the 700^th demolition of the #BlightFight, a major milestone in the progress to strengthen neighborhoods.

And as Mayor Pro Tem Clark pointed out, it was also significant for the neighborhood. It would be the 22^nd demolition just around the two nearby schools, showing a focus to remove dangerous structures from a specific area. When #BlightFight began, Code Enforcement began by looking at dangerous structures around schools and recreation centers to make the first improvements in areas where children and families would gather.

“Our children – and my child does walk to school already, so this is very personal to me – deserve to start and end their school days with a pleasant walk, one where they can get focused on their day or prepare for evening activities,” he said. “Not a walk where the houses are falling in, rodents live, and present other dangers. They don’t deserve this view.”

The demolitions are just the first step – albeit a very visible and quick one – in the #BlightFight. Both the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem thanked the community partners that are undertaking the longer part of the process.

“This isn’t just about demolishing structures…what we are celebrating today is but the first step in clearing the way for new and affordable homes, stronger families, and better futures,” said Mayor Pro Tem Clark. “I’m proud of how we’ve worked with partner organizations and made millions of dollars in funding to rebuild homes in our neighborhoods.”

“It’s about strengthening neighborhoods. Removing the blight is just the first step…we must reinvest in these areas to help keep more blight from happening,” said Mayor Miller. “Neighborhood revitalization takes more than just one group or organization because each provides different services and has different resources…but working together as a team means we can do so much more in a shorter amount of time.”

Currently, several groups are working on ways to build affordable homes or even get people to buy older homes to revitalize them. Macon-Bibb and the Peyton Anderson Foundation gave $1 million ($500,000 from each) to Habitat for Humanity to build eight homes, and the mortgage payments from those will be used to build even more in the future.  Additionally, $3.2 million ($1.6 million each from Macon-Bibb and the Knight Foundation) was given to NewTown Macon and the Historic Macon Foundation, and $7.5 million started a revolving loan fund to build even more housing.

“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.

“We don’t want to just tear things down. This is about building our community up, something that we intend to do,” said Mayor Lester Miller. 

The two properties are near the Mill Hill Community Arts Center and will be  donated to the National Park Service as part of the expansion of the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. Clearing these dangerous and dilapidated houses will add more life to the Mill Hill rejuvenation. 

The past 10 years, the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and the Macon Arts Alliance have led the effort to rejuvenate  the Mill Hill: East Macon Arts Village, including buying, rehabbing, and reselling properties assessed under $10,000 . Those have all been sold to new occupants and have added $1.1 million to the Macon-Bibb tax base.  

“This has been years in the making,” said UDA Executive Director Alex Morrison. “The houses demolished on Dewitt Street were also acquired by the UDA, but not just part of the Mill Hill effort but as the bigger picture of what’s going on in East Macon and the cultures that preceded us as Macon for thousands of years.” 

“Without that long term vision, we wouldn’t be at the precipice of creating America’s 64th National Park and Preserve, which is slated to happen this year,” said Mayor Pro Tempore and Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative Executive Director Seth Clark. “Congress will not do that unless they see progress from the gateway communities in the United States of America that are stewards of that park and this, is what they are looking for.” 

One of Mayor Miller’s early actions (based on community feedback) was to be more proactive with removing blight from neighborhoods, especially since there were blighted structures that had sat vacant and deteriorating for nearly a decade. So he launched the #BlightFight in April 2021, bringing together multiple agencies, departments, and companies to remove the dangerous structures from neighborhoods more quickly. 

During the press conference, District 3 Commissioner Elaine Lucas praised Mayor Miller for his efforts in speeding up the process to remove dangerous and abandoned structures from our community. Later that day during the Commission meeting, Commissioners presented a brick from one of the two houses with a plaque and ordinance to commemorate his leadership. You can watch that here.  

“Until this present time, we were very, very frustrated at the slow pace of taking care of things like this,” said Commissioner Lucas. “Under your administration Mayor, you’ve not only done the talking, but have done the walking as well, and you have put money into projects like this to get it done. That’s what we as Commissioners have wanted for years and years, and that’s why it makes me sentimental to be here. It’s a tremendous day.” 

The Blight Fight does not stop at 500. Our Code Enforcement Department is working hard every day to get more blighted structures identified and in the process for demolition. If you would like to report a blighted house in your neighborhood, click here.