MACON, Ga. — A multi-million dollar renovation is currently underway to revamp the heart of Macon.
Phillis Habersham Malone, the owner of Habersham CD’s Record & Tape Shop, was born and raised in Macon.
At 75 years young, she says she's pleased to see signs of progress.
"I look at it and admire that we have a park for Rosa Parks in Macon. I think that's a great honor to her, and a great honor to Macon," Malone said.
She walks through the park between work and the bus stop every day.
"I was 13 years old before I could ride in the front of the bus," Malone said. "At that time, we were discriminated against because we were black, but now we don't have to worry about being discriminated against. We can sit anywhere we want. I'm grateful that she did what she did so I could ride the bus wherever I wanted to as a regular citizen of the United States."
And for the civil rights activist that paved the way for so many, the current state of Rosa Parks Square is only a glimpse of what's to come.
This week, dozens of trees were knocked down to stumps.
Caution tape currently lines the south side of the park, and a small bulldozer stands as another sign of progress for the long-awaited project.
The Friends of Rosa Parks Square Board worked to get these renovations in motion since 2019.
13WMAZ spoke with board chair Andrea Cooke at the groundbreaking ceremony last month, who says the renovations will not only honor Rosa Parks, but other local civil rights leaders as well.
"This has been a 50 year goal for Macon-Bibb County and for the Urban Development Authority," Cooke said. "But it's also keeping the promise that was made to so many people so many years ago."
The blueprint includes new benches, a stage, picnic tables, greenery and a memorial wall.
Stafford and Builders, a black-owned Macon business is leading the efforts.
The project is expected to be complete in Spring 2025.
But Malone is already feeling that sense of pride.
"I just thank god for Rosa Parks standing up for her rights so we can live as first-class citizens," Malone said. "It makes me feel real good to be a Maconite."
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