Elderly residents protest new Macon-Bibb senior center

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Elderly residents are telling Macon-Bibb commissioners they do not want the new senior center built in the Bloomfield area.

They protested outside of City Hall on Tuesday afternoon. The seniors feel the crime rate is really high in the South Macon area. That is where commissioners are trying to build the new center.

Protestors want it to be in a central location, like downtown, because it’s closer to hospitals and the sheriff’s office. At Tuesday night’s meeting, they asked commissioners why they would build a new facility for animal welfare, but simply renovate an old building for seniors.

“The SPLOST documents clearly state that a new facility would be provided. The beef that these folks have with it is the location of it and the fact that they’re not talking about the new facility that the SPLOST document promised,” Lonzy Edwards, the attorney representing some of the concerned senior citizens, said.

Macon-Bibb Commissioner Elaine Lucas understands the seniors’ concerns. She said commissioners could consider another location.

“The only problem with changing locations is that we would, with a new building, spend most of that money on the building itself,” said Lucas.

Lucas says that wouldn’t leave a lot of money for other amenities and programs the seniors want.

The county has raised $2.7 million for the new center. Commisioners hope to raise another $300,000.