Macon-Bibb Urban Development Authority Sets its Sights on Broadway

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Macon-Bibb County’s Urban Development Authority is setting its sights on Broadway. The street is the newest addition to the groups plan for downtown revitalization, and the first people who will have a say in it’s transformation are the property owners.

It’s a busy street, with a famous name, and Erica Louder believes all it takes is a big city idea or two to make Broadway come to life.

“We could do a vendor, just on the street, selling hot dogs, because we’ve got a lot to utilize in this area,” said Louder.

Louder manages the Riverview Ballroom. She thinks a little extra attention in this area would go a long way.

“I would just like to see it enhanced to make it more attractive for the eyes of the people that’s coming for the parade, we have the cherry blossom parade, we have a lot of events that happen on this particular street,” said Louder.

The executive director of development authority Alex Morrison is inviting all the property owners from this block to brainstorm.

“What we hope is that we can come up with something that will help them raise their property value, secure tenants for their property, and really redevelop this crucial area,” said Morrison.

He says it’s important to have the property owners in on this process, so they can create a common vision for this block.

“For many people it’s the first thing they see when they arrive downtown,” said Morrison.

He calls Broadway a gateway into the city that has a lot of potential.

“This little area has a lot of great properties, big open spaces,” said Morrison.

Broadway property owners are invited to that brainstorming meeting this Thursday at the Peyton Anderson Building. It starts at 5:30. Morrison says the community is welcome to attend.