Macon-Bibb County District 9 Commissioner Al Tillman will hold a public forum on Monday, October 10, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. at New Pilgrim Baptist Church (4388 Robinson Road). This will be a chance for people to hear an update about Filmore Thomas Park and Log Cabin Drive, to learn more about the upcoming Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) continuation vote, and to ask questions about Macon-Bibb County.
The new Park is being funded with approximately $1,700,000 from the voter-approved SPLOST, and it will include a pavilion, a splash pad, a playground, basketball courts, sidewalks and trails, landscaping, and more. The community, government, and partners celebrated the start of construction of the Park in December 2015. To watch MBTV’s feature on this milestone event, click here.
“One of the first things I was told when I showed an interest in representing these neighborhoods was that people wanted to finally see the promise of a new Filmore Thomas Park fulfilled,” says Commissioner Tillman. “Thanks to the vote of the public that approved the SPLOST and the work of our Recreation Department, architects, and contractors, we are finally able to say that, after 30 years, we will be able to fulfill that promise.”
In addition to the new Park, approximately $1.5 million in SPLOST funds are being used to make Log Cabin Drive safer for pedestrians and drivers. The project includes a new pedestrian bridge and repairs to the current roadway bridge over Rocky Creek; constructing new curb and gutter, sidewalk, drainage swales, drainage structures and driveways; realign the intersection of Hollingsworth Road and Log Cabin Drive; adding a northbound left-turn-lane on Log Cabin Drive at Hollingsworth Road; and more.
In August, Commissioners approved plans to place the continuation of the SPLOST on the November 8, 2016 ballot. The County has hosted a series of community meetings to hear from people about what they want to see done with the next SPLOST. The $280 million plan includes the next phases of recreation projects, federally-mandated closure of the landfill, courthouse renovations, runway extension at the Middle Georgia Regional Airport, stormwater repair and upgrades, public safety projects, and more. Should this be approved, it would continue the penny tax once the current one expires in March 2018. This would not be an additional penny on top of what people already pay.
To see the active and completed projects covered under the current SPLOST program, visit the detailed SPLOST site. You can also follow Macon-Bibb County on Facebook, Twitter (@MaconBibb), and Instagram for pictures, videos, and updates about the projects, as well as many other community-improving initiatives.