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Macon-Bibb SPLOST Update
Below are links to our most recent financial statements for the voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), as well as milestones for several projects, feature videos from MaconBibbTV, and media coverage. In the coming weeks, we will be celebrating additional milestones, including the opening of Fire Station 110, completion of improvements to the Round Building in Central City Park, the reopening of Second Street to vehicle traffic, and more.
Second Street Corridor Work Begins
Macon-Bibb County celebrated the start of improvement efforts for the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funded Second Street Corridor Vision Block with a Groundbreaking Ceremony on July 28. At the end of this portion of the project, the Vision Block will have bike lanes, reverse angle parking, landscaping, shade trees, benches, improved sidewalks, an irrigation system, and more. In addition to the work being completed with SPLOST funds, Georgia Power will be upgrading and improving its electrical system to meet the growth taking place Downtown.
While construction is happening, the block of Second Street between Cherry and Poplar Streets will be closed to vehicle traffic. People will still be able to walk along the sidewalks, and businesses along that block will remain open. Two lanes of Second Street are to take 10-12 weeks to complete, with the complete street reopening in three to four months. The parking deck exit from the SunTrust Building remains open, and crews will post signs during construction on which way to turn to exit safely.
For more details about the work occurring, click here.
Thomas Jackson Juvenile Justice Center Opens
Macon-Bibb County fulfills its dream of a modern and comprehensive Juvenile Justice Center for both youthful offenders and those who have been offended against. Click here as MaconBibbTV takes you into the new Center and the celebration of its opening by the community.
A proud day for the community, the opening of the Thomas Jackson Juvenile Justice Center on August 4 – the construction of which was funded by the voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) – demonstrates the power of vision and collaboration buoyed by concern for children.
College Street, Roundabout Open
No traffic lights, no poles, no wires. Macon-Bibb County, Mercer University, the Bibb County School District, and other partners reopened the improved block of College Street by Tattnall Square Park on Friday, August 15. Improvements include the roundabout at College and Oglethorpe Streets, new sidewalks, road improvements, utility relocation, crosswalks, a new pedestrian crossing system, new lighting, and tree planting.
To watch a feature video from MaconBibbTV about Macon-Bibb’s new roundabout, click here. To learn more about traveling through a roundabout and the traffic pattern at Alexander II Magnet School for parents, click here.
The roundabout was part of an extensive road and safety improvement project by many organizations and people to improve the entire area. Primary funding for this project came from a Georgia Department of Transportation TE Grant, the Macon-Bibb Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), Mercer University, and the Knight Foundation. Other partners are helping with the relocation of utilities.
Fort Hawkins Visitor Center Opens
The Fort Hawkins Commission held a Grand Opening Ceremony for its new Visitor Center at the corner of Emery Highway and Fort Hill Street on Friday, August 29. As part of the Grand Opening, the Fort and Visitor Center were open to tour for free that weekend. The construction of the Visitor Center and other improvements was funded by the voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST)..
Parks & Recreation Opens New Boxing Rings
Macon-Bibb Parks and Recreation, in partnership with the Macon-Bibb United & Conditioning Boxing Club, hosted “The Rebirth: Bringing Boxing Back to Macon” on September 6 at Freedom Park Community Center. Funded by the voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), the gymnasium features two rings, 600 bleacher seats, new flooring, and more.
For more information about the Club, visit its Facebook page or call 478-751-9280. To stay up-to-date about activities for children, adults, and families, follow the Parks & Recreation Department on Facebook.
Animal Welfare Center
At the Macon-Bibb Commission Meeting on September 2, an additional $435,000 in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funding was approved to be reallocated from another completed project. These funds will be used to complete the new Animal Welfare Center located on Fulton Mill Road. The Center is expected to be open by Spring 2015. To keep up with Animal Welfare events and animals available for adoption, follow the department on Facebook.
Tattnall Square Park Tennis Center
At the Macon-Bibb Commission Meeting on September 2, an additional $200,000 in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funding was approved to be reallocated from another completed project. These funds will be used to complete work on the tennis center to compliment the new courts that were installed.
Macon-Bibb County’s work on the courts and center is part of a larger effort by many organizations and people to improve the entire area, including the safety improvements along College Street, the new roundabout at the corner of College and Oglethorpe Streets, planting of trees, new sidewalks in the park, a rain garden, new entrances into the park, and more.
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Additional Information
SPLOST Financials (September 2014)
SPLOST_Financials_(August_2014)
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