Macon business owners call for action on abandoned Pio Nono Avenue building
Nearby business owners say trash, safety issues and lack of enforcement remain ongoing concerns.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Facebook post calling out Macon-Bibb County leaders has drawn renewed attention to the former Anderson Diner building along Pio Nono Avenue.
The vacant property is surrounded by trash and debris, and nearby business owners say a homeless woman with two dogs has been living in front of the building.
Eric Jones, the owner of First Choice Auto Sales, says the condition of the abandoned property has become a growing concern for businesses and the surrounding neighborhood.
“The former Anderson Diner building is being trashed out,” Jones said. “It’s full of trash front and back. We’ve got people living out front, trash everywhere and dogs that aren’t being taken care of properly. It’s a big liability and an eyesore for Pio Nono and the entire business district and neighborhood.”
Eric and his wife, Brenda Jones, own First Choice Auto Sales just down the street from the abandoned building. The couple says they have been located on Pio Nono Avenue for about seven years and take pride in their business and its location.
Jones says the move to Pio Nono was meant to be an upgrade for the business, but ongoing issues along the corridor have made things more difficult.
“We’ve been in business about 20 years, and we moved here to Pio Nono as an upgrade from where we were located,” Jones said. “We’ve been successful here, but it’s up and down. We’ve been having to deal with a lot of other issues on Pio Nono.”
According to the couple, poor conditions along the road have affected their business, leading to break-ins, vandalism and ongoing safety concerns. They say they want Pio Nono Avenue to be treated the same as other parts of Macon.
“Bass Road, Zebulon Road, Riverside Drive, you don’t see homeless people sleeping on the front porch,” Brenda Jones said. “You don’t see dogs being neglected.”
Jones says he and his wife have contacted multiple county departments but say they’ve been given the runaround and are still waiting for action.
The business owners say they will continue advocating for better conditions on Pio Nono Avenue until the area is cleaned up.
We reached out to Macon-Bibb County ourselves. Chief Communications Office Chris Floore said Code Enforcement is aware of the situation and is in contact with the property owner to have it cleaned up.
