MACON, Ga. — Construction crews could soon be on the way to Macon's Coliseum Drive working on the county's East Bank Development.
Macon-Bibb County commissioners approved a nearly $175,000 measure Tuesday to partner with a developer and start designing the project. The plan has been in the works since the county bought the site of the old Bibb Mill in 2022.
"I'm looking forward to hearing the input and concerns and ideas from our citizens," Commissioner Paul Bronson said, highlighting one of the first steps in the pre-design phase.
"Their finances look really great. They have been capable of delivering as promised. And they have a lot of experience attracting good, quality upward developers," Mayor Lester Miller said during Tuesday's meeting.
That could be the next step after solidifying a plan. Carter could be the developer to build it all, but Miller says they could also go with someone else after they have the design in-hand.
Regardless of who does the building, Commissioner Elaine Lucas is excited for the possibilities.
"Restaurants, hotels, I'm hearing affordable housing. I'm just hearing a lot of different things," Lucas said.
She and Bronson say they're looking forward to learning more as the process continues. Even though Bronson wants to hear input from the neighborhood, he also has a suggestion.
"For me, it would be a skating rink. If we could get a skating rink there, I would probably be there every day — besides Tuesdays. But I'd probably be there every day," Bronson said.
Tuesday nights are when the Bibb County commission typically meets.
During the meeting, Miller told commissioners he expects the process to take about six months. He says it could be about a year before the building process begins.
Bronson and Lucas say the project won't just benefit east Macon. They point to possible reductions in taxes for everyone with more out-of-town visitors coming to visit.
The money for the agreement with Carter comes from a special tax allocation district. That means any taxes collected around the development site must also be spent on improvements around it.