Mercer asking Macon-Bibb for help to kick start major project

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Mercer officials are looking to break ground on a new hotel and loft apartments for students on Mercer University Drive except there’s one problem. they need help from Macon-Bibb County.

Mercers’ president Dr. Bill Underwood presented these renderings to commissioners during a committee meeting on Tuesday. To begin the project, the university wants the county to build a pedestrian bridge going over Mercer University Drive.

Underwood says a bond issue from the county will help pay for the bridge, and the money from the hotel should pay back that bond.

“This is an opportunity to generate a real showcase gateway into downtown Macon through Mercer University Drive and the contemplated south downtown connector by creating a new hotel and restaurant complex at that interchange as well as a very large student housing complex,” Underwood said.

Architects predict the cost of the hotel and loft development is between $40-$50 million. Underwood says teh project will meet the rise in demand for student housing as the university continues to grow.

If commissioner approve the bridge. the project will begin in January 2015.

Commissioners also agreed to table the discussion on what will happen with a proposed healthcare regulation. The mayor’s office presented a new plan to help save the county money.

The plan included increasing retirees healthcare premiums by 25%, removing the $388 healthcare supplement given to all Macon-Bibb County retirees and if the retiree’s spouse works for a company that gives healthcare, they  would automatically be taken off of the county’s’ healthcare plan.

Commissioners say they’re still working on all aspects of the proposal, with hopes of having finalized information to be voted on by mid-November.

They didn’t even second a motion to discuss a proposal to ban those 21 and under from going into or standing outside of bars. During the past month, several groups have spoken out either for or against the ordinance.

Commissioners agreed the move could greatly affect business, especially in downtown Macon, and they didn’t want to see it go any further.