Tax Allocation District among options for Macon-Atlanta railroad funding

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon-Bibb is working with the Georgia Department of Transportation to come up with a plan for a railroad that connects Macon to Atlanta. Mayor Robert Reichert said a tax allocation district is an option to fund it.

“We’re building tomorrow’s transportation network today,” said Mayor Reichert.

An idea that’s been in the works for a while. A railroad system that highlights the variety in Georgia. 

“We’ve got this wonderful blend of urbanized areas as well as agricultural and rural areas,” explained Mayor Reichert.

Mayor Reichert said the days of “two Georgias” are over.

“The state of Georgia is moving from Atlanta and the rest of the state to the new urbanized metro areas of the state,” said Mayor Reichert.

The plan is to connect smaller “hub cities” so it’s easier to travel the state. Mayor Reichert gave Macon, Columbus and Augusta as examples.

“Passenger rail service between Macon and Atlanta can become a spine or backbone that could then branch out and connect to other areas of the state and bring us all together,” explained Mayor Reichert.

Mayor Reichert is taking Atlanta’s MARTA extension into consideration while developing the plan.

“As far south as Jonesboro, we understand. So you’ve got a commuter rail that’s going to be coming in and out. How can we link that with an inner city passenger rail and extend it down so that it makes sense in more than one way,” said Mayor Reichert.

As for funding, a tax allocation district is among the options.

“Around that station or stop so that local communities can also contribute to the funding, the maintenance and operation,” explained Mayor Reichert.

He thinks this will collect more money than a standard fare box.

“But it will grow. It will provide an increasingly attractive alternative to the traffic, congestion and delay you find on the interstate and highway [systems],” said Mayor Reichert.

The time spent working with other small city mayors on this plan is producing other benefits.

“Some of the issues that we have here in Macon-Bibb are the same issues that [they have]. Homelessness for example. Transportation is another, tax revenues and how consolidated governments work,” explained Mayor Reichert.

While the deadline for the final railroad plan is uncertain, Mayor Reichert has learned teamwork is what will take Georgia to the next level.

“More and more we find that we have to work together as a region. We can’t work as individual cities or even individual counties,” said Mayor Reichert.