Macon-Bibb County moves forward with renovation of Rosa Parks Square

Macon-Bibb Commissioners unanimously passed plans to add seating, shading and lighting to the park.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon-Bibb County is moving forward with long-awaited plans to renovate Rosa Parks Square, a park dedicated to honoring Civil Rights leaders.

For more than 10 years, community leaders, including former Macon Mayor C. Jack Ellis, have shared ideas for the future of Rosa Parks Square in downtown Macon. Now, after 15 years of fundraising, those plans are becoming a reality.

“It will still be the protest park,” Andrea Cooke, chairman of the Friends of Rosa Parks Square Board, said. “It’ll still be the place where we honor our Blue Star and Gold Star recipients. This place will be for everyone and honor all the people who were here before and more.”

In a unanimous vote last Tuesday, Macon-Bibb Commissioners approved a $2.5 million renovation plan. Cooke says Stafford Builders and Consultants, a Black-owned business, is spearheading the project to revitalize the area while paying tribute to Civil Rights leaders.

“The park will be leveled completely,” Cooke said. “There will be a seating area, shading and a luminary wall. That wall is very important because we get to honor a lot of the local contributors to Macon-Bibb County.”

Cooke expects the project to be completed by this time next year.