NewTown Macon aiming to continue bringing business to downtown

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – There are now 400 lofts in downtown Macon. One non-profit’s “Tour of Progress” is showing people how the city is expanding, and the non-profit’s president and CEO says more residents means more business.

As the leaves change from new to old, downtown Macon is changing from old to new.

At Gallery West, tucked in a multi-purpose unit on Third Street, there’s history on these walls. 

“You’ll see anything from Bob Marley, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Wates, there’s Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, and just a whole array,” Kirsten West, the gallery’s owner, described. 

Woodstock in the “Song and Soul of the South.”

“Covers just about everything you can imagine,” West went on to say.

West’s husband, Kirk, took the photos in the gallery. They own the photo and print gallery and are part of the revitalization in downtown Macon. 

“We’ve invested over $50 million in private donations for downtown and the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail,” Josh Rogers, NewTown Macon’s president and CEO, said. 

It’s part of NewTown’s “Tour of Progress.”

“What we’ve found in increasing the amount of lofts is every 15 or so lofts that opened, that was a new business that comes on line,” Rogers said. 

The non-profit, that’s mission is to restore downtown Macon, says there are 60 bars and restaurants, 400 lofts, and plans to expand even more.

“I think a lot of people hear about downtown development going on, but they don’t actually come and look,” said Rogers. 

Kirsten thinks now there’s a reason to and she feels like it’s only the beginning. 

“There’s floor lofts upstairs two commercial spaces down. We’re seeing a lot of this and I’m very excited for it. I think Macon has a great, great future,” West said. 

Rogers says out of 100 storefronts downtown only 30 are vacant. 

If you’d like to participate in NewTown’s “Tour of Progress” — it starts Saturday at the Lamar Lofts at 10:00 a.m.