Downtown Macon street will become a pedestrian plaza for this event

To increase foot traffic along Cotton Avenue, NewTown Macon is hosting a Pop-Up Plaza.

Thanks to a grant from the Downtown Challenge Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, NewTown Macon is temporarily transforming an area of Cotton Avenue into a pedestrian plaza, according to a news release. The event will be held 5-9 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.

The Pop-up Plaza will be where Cotton Avenue and Second Street meet. This portion of Cotton Avenue, between Mulberry Street and Mulberry Street Lane, will be closed to traffic.

The goal is to increase foot traffic in the area to better support Cotton Avenue businesses and increase the amount of functional public space in downtown Macon. The free event open to the public is part of NewTown Macon’s ongoing effort in revitalizing downtown and re-imagining how public space is utilized.

The Pop-Up Plaza will be transformed with outdoor furniture, planter boxes and live music. It features a free yoga session 10-11 a.m. Saturday morning by Sparks Yoga, and participants are encouraged to bring their own mats and water. Music performers will include DJ B3, Maggie Renfroe, Some Kids and Sophie Leveille.

If it rains, the Pop-up Plaza will be rescheduled.

More information can be found at www.newtownmacon.com/popupplaza.

NewTown Macon is a nonprofit organization, and its work downtown focuses on increasing residents, growing jobs and creating a sense of place. Its offices are located at 555 Poplar Street. For more information, visit www.newtownmacon.com or call 478-722-9909.

This story was originally published April 20, 2017 at 4:39 PM with the headline "Downtown Macon street will become a pedestrian plaza for this event."