Former Mercer University President Kirby Godsey, who was the founding chairman of NewTown Macon, is expected to hold a groundbreaking for a major development along Riverside Drive, NewTown Macon CEO Josh Rogers told Business Improvement District, or BID, members at the last meeting.
Godsey renewed his option with the Urban Development Authority on what was billed in 2011 as a $50 million, mixed-use development anchored by an upscale tower hotel with a top floor restaurant.
The project, which included condominiums, office space and a public parking deck, stalled due to environmental concerns from the land’s prior use as a gas manufacturing plant. Residue was buried on the site.
UDA attorney Blake Sharpton recently reviewed the environmental covenants that no longer bar residential development on the majority of the site between the Burger King and Barks N’ Brews dog park.
“We are clear of the state (Environmental Protection Division) to proceed with development on that site,” Shelton told the authority in October.
The restriction on a portion of the property to not dig down 15 feet is “not going to be a huge problem,” Shelton said.
In December, the Macon-Bibb County Commission agreed to transfer nearly 2.5 acres at 815 Riverside Drive to the authority to market for the proposed development.
UDA executive director Alex Morrison told the authority that Burger King may also expand its nearby location. The restaurant owner purchased some of the land from Macon-Bibb County a few years ago after the condominium project stalled.
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