On June 21, Macon-Bibb County was notified it is receiving a grant from the State Road & Tollway Authority (SRTA) to extend the Second Street Corridor’s “Vision Block” for two more blocks to the site of the future Mid-City Square. The grant is being provided through the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB), which is a revolving infrastructure investment fund created in 2008 by Georgia legislators and administered by the SRTA.

“The GTIB program continues to be an important funding resource for local governments and community improvement districts throughout Georgia to jumpstart the completion of critical transportation projects. The projects receiving awards today will benefit communities across our state, enhancing mobility in local communities and helping Georgia’s economy continue to thrive,” says Governor Deal in a press release.

“We want to replicate along all of Second Street the infrastructure improvements and ensuing development that has happened between Cherry and Poplar Streets,” says Macon-Bibb County Mayor Reichert. “This is a critical section of the Corridor because it continues the link to Mid-City Square and is the next step in connecting all of Downtown between I-16 and I-75.”

The $1.5 million grant and the required local match will allow Macon-Bibb to make much-needed improvements and upgrades along Second Street that will help attract new businesses, foster a more walkable and bikeable Downtown, and support already announced development, like Central City Commons. The Vision Block (between Cherry and Poplar Streets) features bike lanes, reverse angle parking, landscaping, shade trees, benches, improved sidewalks, an irrigation system, and more.

“Private investment is revitalizing Downtown Macon’s buildings, and our public spaces have to catch up,” says Josh Rogers, NewTown Macon President & CEO. “Improving our streetscapes will grow our momentum and extend private investment everywhere that’s easy, fun, and beautiful to walk and bike.”                                  

“To have Macon-Bibb actively work to improve its roads and sidewalks so that our students and faculty could more easily and more safely get from campus to the heart of our city shows us they value our presence here, that they support us, and that they want to build a community where our students will want to stay and live,” says Mercer University President Bill Underwood wrote in his letter of support for Macon-Bibb receiving the grant.

“This could not have happened at a better time for our development or Macon-Bibb County,” says Miller Heath with MMI Capital, which is leading the Central City Commons development on the block of Poplar Street between Second and First Streets. “Ten years ago, downtown was Cherry Street in the minds of many people, but today it is much bigger. What we think of as downtown is quickly changing and expanding, and this will accelerate that process, reconnecting neighborhoods in ways they have not been since the 1950s.”

“SRTA continues to see broad and growing interest in the GTIB program from across the state, as more communities seek ways to move their important projects forward. We are grateful for the ongoing support for GTIB from Governor Deal and the Legislature, and we are pleased to be able to help these local areas meet the vital transportation needs of their communities,” said SRTA Executive Director Chris Tomlinson.

Macon-Bibb was one of 22 local and state governments, and Community Improvement Districts, to receive about $23.6 million for transportation infrastructure projects. 41 applications were submitted for this competitive grant process that provides funding from the GTIB for capital expenses related to road and bridge infrastructure projects. Criteria for grant selection included: transportation/engineering merit, economic merit; local, state, and federal matching funds; and project specific like phase and feasibility.

This year’s awards represent the fifth round of award given since the program began. Since its inception, the GTIB program has provided more than $105 million in grants and loans throughout Georgia. For more information about the GTIB program, visit www.georgiatolls.com/gtib.

*Second Street Corridor

*Central City Commons conceptual rendering.