MACON, Ga. — In a couple of years, you might notice more folks and more traffic on Bass Road.
Macon-Bibb Planning and Zoning Monday approved construction for a new apartment complex.
The new complex will be located behind Tru by Hilton Hotel and next to Watercrest Assisted Living and Holiday Inn Express & Suites.
It looks like trees right now, but in 2024, you'll see a 132-unit apartment complex called Whitney at Bass Road.
The heart of Bass Road is about to welcome another build.
"It's been really cool to see where it started at and see where it's come from now," Jordan Jackson said.
Jackson lives just up the road from the future site of Whitney at Bass Road. He welcomes new neighbors.
"Just for like families in general who are looking to come to Macon or ones who are already here in Macon and are looking for a change in scenery, somewhere different to settle down, I think it offers them another option for living," Jackson said.
Piedmont Construction Group started planning about a year ago. CEO Scott Thompson says the complex will include a lounge, gym, swimming pool, and outdoor patio and TV area with a grilling station.
"We tried to design something in harmony with the Watercrest here as well as people who are no longer wanting to own a house, but thinking, 'I'd like to live in an apartment instead where I can shut the door and I don't have to worry about it and I don't have to cut the yard.' I think the approval was a great thing for the city and the area. We are bringing more housing stock to people who are tired of mowing their lawn. I think it's going to be a real enhancement to the area. We think this is a growing corridor in middle Georgia and this is going to be a nice addition," Thompson said.
"As long as the people who run it, it's fine, because I've seen some of them get rundown pretty quick," Thomas Brockman said.
Several times a week, Brockman and Susan Koenig-Brown each go to Publix across the street.
"I don't think north Macon needs another apartment complex. Just with north Macon and the way it's growing, I think another apartment community would just lend to increased traffic and possibly crime. I think Macon has reached its potential for having apartment complexes and I used to work in the apartment industry," Koenig-Brown said.
"We want to be good neighbors. We don't want to have anyone resenting the fact that we are building," Thompson said.
Thompson says there will be two access points -- one to the stoplight near the CVS and the other by Watercrest of Providence Boulevard. However, he says, apartment tenants won't be able to get to their apartments through the Providence neighborhood.
"So, we won't be going in and dumping more traffic into the neighborhood. There is a lot of traffic there. The county and GDOT are working on it. We are happy to lend our support. That's not really part of my project. My project is really just to get these apartments," Thompson said.
"I'm a fan of it. I really do think that it provides a lot of benefits for us both economically and just for those who are looking to start a new life here. I can understand that concern about the traffic. I think that is something you always have to think about, but I think the benefits of having that apartment complex there outweighs the potiental issues with the traffic. I am sure they have accounted for that. As the area grows, they'll probably take steps and measures to try and alleviate the traffic in the area, so I think it's a good idea," Jackson said.
Now that the plans have been approved, Thompson said his team will be working on financing details and construction drawings.
Thompson says the construction process will take about 18 months long.