The Community Foundation of Central Georgia presented Macon Arts Alliance with a challenge grant of $211,000 from an anonymous donor, to raise additional funds for the restoration of the Old Bibb Mill Manufacturing Auditorium in Mill Hill: East Macon Arts Village. The challenge was met by county commissioners with appropriated blight bond funds. Restoration of the auditorium and the development of the park will begin on January 6.
Built in 1920s by the Bibb Manufacturing Company, the auditorium is a key asset of the neighborhood. Once renovated, the auditorium will return to its original purpose, to provide entertainment and showcase local talent.
“The last time we gathered here was for the unveiling of the Macon Action Plan. It’s hard to believe that was only 10 short weeks ago. By working with residents, churches, businesses, and organizations both public and private, an idea became a movement. With collaboration, anything is possible,” states Jan Beeland, Executive Director of the Macon Arts Alliance.
“On behalf of an anonymous donor, the Community Foundation of Central Georgia was proud to award a $211,000 challenge grant to Macon Arts Alliance for the restoration of the Auditorium in Mill Hill according to the Macon Action Plan. The Foundation is pleased that this grant was the catalyst to raise all of the remaining funds necessary to renovate the auditorium and jumpstart the Mill Hill: East Macon Arts Village project.”
The Macon Action Plan is a community-driven plan to assist in the regeneration of Macon’s urban core. Mill Hill: East Macon Arts Village is one of two early action projects recommended by the plan in partnership with Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority, Historic Macon Foundation, community residents, local churches, Macon Housing Authority, and area businesses.
“There are few challenges that cannot be solved with teamwork, and this is yet another example of what has become a trademark of Macon-Bibb County. Together, we will take a building that was well on its way to demolition and make it the cornerstone of this neighborhood’s revitalization and a signal of the growth of Macon’s urban core,” said Alex Morrison, Executive Director of the Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority. “It is a testament to our community that so many players came together to make this project happen.”
Regeneration continues throughout Macon, now specifically in the “birthplace of Macon” to “create an unparalleled Urban Core experience,” as noted by MAP. Mill Hill: East Macon Arts Village reduces blight and increases access for public parks, residential living, and programming to amplify connectivity.
“We know from our work in Beall’s Hill, Village Green, and Downtown that neighborhood revitalization takes a focused and concentrated effort by multiple groups working together,” says Macon-Bibb County Mayor Robert Reichert. “By bringing a focus to Mill Hill, we are looking to bring back one of our first neighborhoods and support our vibrant arts community, and I couldn’t be more delighted about what the future holds for this area.”
Six county commissioners leveraged blight bond funds in the amount of $813,000 to attract another $211,000 dollars in private investment into this project. Larry Schlesinger of District 2, Gary Bechtel of District 1, Ed Defore of District 6, Mallory Jones III of District 4, Al Tillman of District 9, and Elaine Lucas of District 3 lead the charge for the challenge grant, turning an idea into reality.