Master Planning Focus Groups, December 17, 2008 at Centenary United Methodist Church
The Master Planning team, led by Scott Page at Interface Studio, returned on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 to host several focus groups and present a few preliminary ideas for improving the College Hill Corridor. Each of these focus groups will meet for 2 hours at Centenary Methodist Church’s sanctuary, 1290 College St., Macon, GA 31201 (map). Over 60 people participated.
8am-10am, Business Owners, Area Employees
11am-1pm, Students, Faculty and Staff of Academic Institutions
1pm-3pm, Neighbors
4pm-5:30pm Regular Monthly Commission Meeting
Neighborhood Bonfire, 6pm, December 17, 2008 at 900 Hazel St.
We held a small neighborhood bonfire at 900 Hazel St. in Beall’s Hill at 6pm on Wednesday, December 17, 2008.
Second Sunday Gospel Brunch, Sunday, December 14, 2008 at 12pm at Washington Park
We held our Second Sunday Gospel Brunch on December 14 from 12pm to 2pm in Washington Park on the corner of Magnolia and College Sts. Mark Brooker and the Soul Proprietors performed live at 12pm. Brunches from Michael’s on Mulberry were sold for $5 and a cash bar with Mimosas and Bloody Marys was available. Stop by before, after or instead of Sunday services and enjoy a relaxing Sunday morning with a cold drink and good friends. Download the Gospel Brunch Flyer for more information and to help advertise.
Second Visit, Master Planning Process, November 19, 2008 at 7pm at Newton Chapel
Join us for a public meeting for Interface Studio’s second visit to Macon in the Master Planning process. The College Hill Corridor Commission will host a public meeting to hear the results of our planners’ intensive study of the area on Wednesday, November 19 at 7pm at Newton Chapel at 1480 Coleman Ave. Download the Flyer to help us advertise. Interface Studio from Philadelphia, PA will be creating the Master Plan for the College Hill Corridor over the next several months. The team of specialists includes urban planners, architects, traffic engineers and economists from Interface Studio and its partner firms Land Strategies Inc. , Civic Economics and Polis Studio.
Second Sunday Gospel Brunch, Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 12pm at Washington Park
Join us for our Second Sunday Gospel Brunch on November 9 from 12pm to 2pm in Washington Park on the corner of Magnolia and College Sts. Mudcat will be performing live at 12pm, although you’re welcome to drop by earlier to relax in the park. Brunches from Michael’s on Mulberry will be for sale for $5 and a cash bar with Mimosas and Bloody Marys will be available. Stop by before, after or instead of Sunday services and enjoy a relaxing Sunday morning with a cold drink and good friends. Download the Gospel Brunch Flyer for more information and to help advertise.
Screen on the Green, Saturday, November 8, 2008 at 7pm at Tattnall Square Park
Please join us for a Screen on the Green this Saturday, November 8, 2008 at 7pm at Tattnall Square Park. We will be showing The Princess Bride (1987). Jittery Joe’s Coffee will be catering coffee and hot chocolate so be sure to grab a sneak peek of Mercer Village’s newest business. The event is free and open to the public and everyone is welcome to bring a picnic. Please download the Flyer to help us advertise.
First Visit, Master Planning Process, October 13-15, 2008
Interface Studio from Philadelphia, PA will be creating the Master Plan for the College Hill Corridor over the next several months. The team of specialists includes urban planners, architects, traffic engineers and economists from Interface Studio and its partner firms Land Strategies Inc. , Civic Economics and Polis Studio. The team’s first visit to Macon was October 13, 2008. The public had two opportunities to meet with these specialists and brainstorm. A public bicycling tour took place on Tuesday, October 14 at 6pm and a walking tour was held on Wednesday, October 15 at 10am. Both tours departed from the W.G. Lee Alumni House at 1270 Ash St., Macon, GA 31201 (Tour Flyer). For more information read the Press Release and see Interface Studio’s interview PowerPoint Presentation.
Master Planner Interviews, August 28 and 29, 2008 at Cox Capitol Theatre
The College Hill Corridor Commission has culled a list of twenty-one famous design firms from across the country down to three finalists. Architects, designers and city planners competed against each other over the past two months for the chance to come to Macon, GA and help the community improve the College Hill Corridor. The three remaining firms are coming to Macon this week to interview with the public. With your input we will choose one of these firms to create a master plan for the Corridor.
On Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 11am at the Cox Capitol Theatre, John Thomas and his team from WK Dickson from Savannah, GA will give the first interview. At 1pm on the same day Scott Page will visit from Philidelphia, PA to lead Interface Studio ’s presentation. On Friday, August 29, 2008, Dhiru Thadani from Ayers Saint Gross in Washington, DC will deliver his presentation at 4:30pm. Each interview will be recorded and then posted here on our website for viewing. You can also use our blog to discuss the finalists and their presentations. Please download the Press Release for more information.
Knight Foundation Awards Major Planning Grant
Macon, GA Neighborhood Revitalization Grant Announced.
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has awarded Mercer University $250,000 planning grant to create an alliance of redevelopment efforts and design a master plan for the College Hill Corridor. Mayor Robert Reichert and President Bill Underwood announced the grant at a public press conference on Friday at Mercer Village. By working together, the City and its partners can leverage greater investment, invite new residents and businesses back to the city and make intown and downtown a better place to live and work. The College Hill Corridor Commission has released a RFQ for Master Planning to find design firms to conduct design charrettes with the public to decide how to make the Corridor friendlier for cyclists and pedestrians. For more information, download the Press Release.
Neighborhood Meeting, Wednesday, July 2 at 6pm at Centenary Methodist
We held an informative and interactive public meeting with neighborhood redevelopment professionals from the University Park Alliance in Akron, OH. The UPAlliance has had great success in helping neighborhoods restore old homes, bring back neighborhood businesses and make life better in the heart of their city. We will meet from 6pm-8pm at the fellowship hall of Centenary Methodist Church on Ash St. on Wednesday, July 2. Download the Meeting Minutes to find out more.
Press Conference, June 6, 2008 at 4pm at Mercer Village Fountain
Macon Mayor Robert A.B. Reichert and Mercer University President William D. Underwood held a news conference at 4 p.m. Friday, June 6 to announce a major foundation planning grant to facilitate an alliance of redevelopment partners aimed at coordinating plans and leveraging new development in Macon’s central city. The news conference took place at the Mercer Village fountain, 1645 Montpelier Avenue, across the street from the Mercer campus. Following the news conference, participants were invited to a question-and-answer session with light refreshments at Ingleside Village Pizza at Mercer Village. Both events were free and open to the public. Download the Press Release for more information.
Living it Up Downtown Week, April 20-25, 2008
The Georgia Municipal Association declared April 20-25, 2008 Georgia Cities Week. Cities across Georgia celebrated this year’s theme “Living It Up Downtown.” The City of Macon, College Hill Corridor Commission, Economic and Community Development Department, Historic Macon and NewTown Macon worked together to plan this week of exciting activities. The week included a jazz picnic at Riverside Cemetery, a public symposium to encourage downtown living, a presentation by nationally renowned economist Laurie Volk, a champagne and chocolates loft tour, and our second Screen on the Green. Please download the Press Release for more information.
Bike Week, March 24-28, 2008
In the last week of March, the College Hill Corridor Commission in cooperation with Mercer University student group Students for Environmental Action (SEA) hosted a week dedicated to increasing bike ridership in the Corridor. The Commission is still accepting donated bikes and accessories for this week. Please drop off donations at Bike Tech in Macon or email SEA at bearbikes@gmail.com to arrange for pick-up of bikes or accessories anywhere in Middle Georgia. Bikes and equipment are accepted in any condition. See how much fun riding bikes in the Corridor can be in our photo gallery .
Dhiru Thadani, Ayers Saint Gross, November 29. 2007
The College Hill Corridor Commission was pleased to host a community meeting with Mr. Thadani on November 29, 2007 at Centenary Methodist Church. Mr. Thadani is a well-noted new urbanist architect and town planner. He has also completed significant research and design of College Town’s across America. His presentation revealed that College Towns depend on business from the community as much if not more than from students. Mr. Thadani recommended filling the existing commercial spaces with a mix of tenants at different price points. Mr. Thadani also recommended that any new development face the streets in a traditional manner.
Screen on the Green , October 27, 2007
On October 27, 2007 around 100 neighbors and students gathered at Tattnall Square Park to watch the original Ghostbuters movie and enjoy popcorn and hot chocolate. View the photos here .
Michael Wallwork, Alternate Street Design, September 20, 2007
Michael Wallwork led a community meeting in September 2007 where neighbors, business owners, students and professors all worked together to design their “dreams” for the Mercer Village area. Mr. Wallwork’s recommendations included two roundabouts and multi-story mixed use buildings arranged around a courtyard. You can download his drawings in our Gallery.