The Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority (UDA) and Bibb County Sheriff’s Office (BSO) will hold a public hearing on downtown parking on February 2, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in Commission Chambers at Macon-Bibb County Government Center (700 Poplar Street). This forum will the first step in creating a parking accessibility plan that will be implemented by the UDA.

The purpose of the forum is to hear concerns from property and business owners, residents, downtown employees, and other stakeholders on parking needs and concerns. The will be a short presentation at the start of the meeting before allowing people to make suggestions and comments, and to ask questions. There will also be discussion on solutions to increasing available parking spots and availability throughout Downtown.

Anyone unable to attend the meeting can email their thoughts on parking issues, needs, and solutions to Alex Morrison, UDA Executive Director, at amorrison@maconbibb.us. The next forum will be scheduled to present a draft plan and seek further feedback.

About the Downtown Parking Plan

Parking is the first and last experience most users of downtown’s businesses, residents, and institutions. Making this experience as positive as possible is crucial to a growing and vibrant urban core. Feedback received as part of the Macon Action Plan showed that most respondents listed parking as a negative experience due to a lack of available and convenient spots. It was pointed out that most people using on-street parking were exceeding the two-hour limit and spaces were not turning over enough to support a robust retail environment.

The UDA is leading a public process to determine appropriate strategies and work with parking deck managers, business owners, and the Sheriff’s Office to develop a comprehensive on-street and off-street parking plan. This goal is to increase parking spot turn over and overall business activity in Macon-Bibb’s urban core.