MACON, Ga. — An old Macon recreation center that's been abandoned for almost three decades could soon have a new life.
Macon-Bibb County is discussing again whether or not to spend the funds to fix the Train Recreation Center, located off Oglethorpe Street.
Ethiel Garlington with Historic Macon says this property was sold to the county back in 1966.
“The Train Recreation Center as it's known is named after Robert Train, one of the early presidents of the Bibb Manufacturing Company,” said Garlington.
It was used as a recreation center, then a daycare until it closed in the 90s.
“This is where they had events. They used to play basketball here, they had a swimming pool here,” said Garlington.
Now the building is in danger of demolition due to neglect. Garlington says Historic Macon has a plan for the deteriorating historical building.
“There’s this perfect use for this building by getting the county's (UGA) Cooperative Extension Office, which would save the county money, because they wouldn’t have to pay to rent their current office space, and they can use one of their facilities,” said Garlington.
The deed to the property requires the county use it for "public" or "charitable" purposes. Last year Historic Macon and the county's blight consultant, Cass Hatcher, proposed spending about $1.5 million from blight bond proceeds to rehabilitate the facility, but that motion was tabled.
“It needs a whole rehab, but the nice thing is it's in pretty good shape today. So if we get in now, and we’re able to fix the problems today, we will be able to save ourselves and the taxpayers a lot more money going down the road,” said Garlington.
Garlington says he hopes commissioners will make a motion to un-table that proposal and make the old recreation center useful again.
He says the city could use blight bond funds for the project.
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