Non-profit organization plans to revitalize Macon-Bibb historic community

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A local organization is looking for ways to enhance the Macon-Bibb community.

If you’re passing through historic neighborhoods like Pleasant Hill, you may have noticed buildings that have not been used in years.

A local non profit organization is hoping to change that.

“These historic buildings are our bread and butter, they’re our life blood, they’re in our culture, they’re in our DNA,” says Ethiel Garlington, Executive Director of Historic Macon Foundation.

Their culture and DNA are what makes Macon so special. The Macon Historic Foundation don’t want the buildings to fade away and be forgotten. they believe these buildings are worth saving.

The organization revitalizes Macon by restoring buildings and sharing their history. The 2017 Fading Five, a list of endangered historic places in Macon-Bibb, was announced on Tuesday.

The list includes Bobby Jones Performing Arts Center in the Pleasant Hill neighborhood and the Guy E. Paine house in west Macon. The other three are in downtown which are the Train Recreation Center, A.E. Barnes Duplexes and the Cotton Avenue District.

Now that the places are identified, the foundation plans on turning them into thriving contributing buildings.

“Find a new owner who’s committed to saving it or work with the existing owner to save the building,” Garlington explains.

A $500,000 revolving fund will be accessible to the organization for redevelopment and addition resources. The option to save the non-renewable resources are what many local leaders look forward to.

Garlington says, “Once they’re gone, they can’t be replaced. We can’t build these places again.”

The Historic Macon Foundation is asking people to contact them to share ideas on the use of these buildings. Visit historicmacon.org or call (478) 742-5084.