The Historic Beall’s Hill neighborhood will soon start seeing construction as the Historic Macon Foundation builds 12 new apartments.

On Thursday, December 2, Historic Macon along with Mayor Lester Miller, the Land Bank Authority, and the Knight Foundation broke ground where the six duplexes will go. The project is being funded by $600,000 in American Rescue Plan (ARP) that the Macon-Bibb County Commission approved earlier this year. The Knight Foundation is also matching that money with a $600,000 grant, for a total of $1.2 million.

“We’re working together to make transformational change in people’s lives and lift our entire community for years to come,” said Miller. “Partnerships like this are what make Macon-Bibb County a great place to live.”

The rental units will be built on a 3.5-acre area between Jackson Street and Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church on Oglethorpe Street. Each apartment will be 600 square feet, with one bedroom and one bathroom. Two of the apartments will be accessible for those with disabilities.

“As we wind down our work here over the next couple of years, we want to ensure that anyone who lives in Beall’s Hill has that opportunity,” said Historic Macon Executive Director Ethiel Garlington. “The timing is key to assisting many of our neighbors directly impacted by the global pandemic.”

Construction is expected to start in January, with a goal to complete all apartments by summer 2022.