Macon-Bibb Mayor reassures Jeffersonville Rd. is being worked on

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Macon-Bibb County Commission is responsible for work on numerous projects in the community, but some commissioners feel as if some projects are being pushed aside.

This matter was brought up during a committee meeting Tuesday morning after Mayor Robert Robert Reichert proposed a new resolution. The resolution would fund $1.5 million to remodel the Robert S. Train Memorial Center. The center would be a community center operated by the University of Georgia.

A couple of commissioners expressed that there are other projects much more important, like Jeffersonville Road.

The Jeffersonville Road project has been on the Special Local Options Sales Tax (SPLOST) timeline since 1994. The project includes adding sidewalks, lights and repaving the road. Mayor Reichert reassures commissioners and the community that project is being looked into.

“We’re working as hard we can,” said Mayor Reichert. “We are committed to getting Jeffersonville Road done. We’re committed to that. We’re going to get it done. It’s just a matter of how and the expenses.”

Mayor Reichert says county officials are trying to avoid about $1.5 million that they don’t need to. They are working with GDOT to make the smartest move. As for the Robert S. Train resolution, that was tabled until next week’s meeting.

Also mentioned, Middle Georgia State University asked the county to dig into its SPLOST budget to help make the campus safer. The campus wants $2.8 million. Improvements to Roemiser Dr. and Ivy Dr. to slow traffic and make crosswalks safer. Middle Georgia State University feels that the school does a lot for the community and that the county should help out.

“We’re the most affordable university in Georgia and so that means we get less funds so we’re reaching out to our partners, both for education and economic for assistance,” said Assistant Vice-President of Finances, David Sims.

The commission voted to begin discussion and plans to move forward with funding, but there is no approval on money yet. Mayor Reichert says he is not sure where the money will come from.