Phase One of the Lofts at D.T. Walton Project has begun

"This is a piece of property that is right at the heart of so many things that we're planning," said Alex Morrison, Executive Director of Urban Development Authority and Director of Planning and Public Spaces.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Urban Development Authority and other development partners held a groundbreaking ceremony in the parking lot behind City Hall Tuesday to celebrate the start of a more than $15,000,000 parking deck that will include more than 350 spaces.

This is part of phase one of the Lofts at D.T. Walton Project, which has been several years in the making.

“This is a piece of property that is right at the heart of so many things that we’re planning, and it being a surface parking lot, we’re able to turn it into something that generates revenue for the city, provides greater benefit to the business owners downtown, and provides opportunities for new residents to join us here in the revitalization of Downtown Macon,” said Alex Morrison, Executive Director of Urban Development Authority and Director of Planning and Public Spaces.

“We are really excited to have reached the point where we’ve got everything planned, and now we can actually start letting Adam and his crew get out here and play in the dirt and see what happens over the course of the next two years,” said Scott Thompson, Developer at Gateway/75, LLC. “We really think that this is going to provide Macon and its residents with a centrally located opportunity to work and live in downtown Macon and just feed upon the revitalization that we have seen in this area.”

Piedmont Construction Group will be over construction of the project. Phase two will begin later this year, adding more than 140 units wrapped around the area to be used for housing, retail and office spaces.

“Over the coming weeks, you’ll begin to see the site demolition start to take place, starting with the removal of the vegetation, asphalt, trees, etc. From there, moving into relocation of the existing utilities, Georgia Power will have crews out here working on that, and from there, you’ll see lots of big yellow equipment, contractors, favorite toys,” said Adam Berkstresser of Piedmont Construction. “Starting on shoring along the property lines, moving into excavation, down to the subgrade, to allow for installation of geo piers and concrete foundations, allowing for the proper support of the parking deck structure itself.”

“It’s more than just a deck,” said Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller. “If you enjoyed the ride the last four years, I can tell you that you need to put an extra seatbelt on for the next four, because you’re going to see a lot of this.”

“Developments like this don’t just happen. They require vision, trust, partnerships, and bold investments,” said Kaitlynn Kressin, Board Member of Urban Development Authority and local business owner of Just Tapd, Fall Line Brewing, Overlook and Kressin Realty. “For businesses like mine and so many others, it means more foot traffic and energy on our streets, and for everyone it means a stronger, more connected downtown, a place where people can live, work and thrive.”

The estimated time frame of completion for the parking deck is summer of 2026 and phase two is expected to be complete by spring 2027.