New amphitheater, Macon Mall transformation planned in $100 million revitalization project

Mayor Lester Miller announced Wednesday a $100 million revitalization project that includes transformation of the Macon Mall and construction of “the second largest amphitheater in Georgia” next door.

Miller, along with commissioners, business leaders and college representatives, unveiled the plans at a news conference outside the mall at 3661 Eisenhower Parkway.

“This area is getting ready to explode,” Miller said.

The amphitheater is expected to seat up to 10,000 people.

The current mall will be renovated to include space for government offices, including possibly the Board of Elections, a sports hall venue and potentially a film/workspace, according to Miller and a master plan diagram. The middle of the mall would be for existing mall retail.

The planned amphitheater includes fixed, covered seating of about 1,500 and a flexible seating/table area with an estimated open seating of 8,500, according to the diagram. A restaurant/cafe would be located behind the amphitheater, which also includes sky boxes.

Also on the 75-acre property is space for a retail and food district as well as two out parcels for future retail space.

Groundbreaking on the project is expected in February, with an estimated 12 to 18 months for completion.

“Rent rolls” and not “tax rolls” are expected to fund the project, with an amphitheater fee to pay for security, Miller said at the news conference. That means no additional tax monies but the investment of generated profits.

Jim Hull of Hull Property Group said the project is expected to be a catalyst for additional development in the Eisenhower Business Improvement District.

“The biggest thing I can say is we’re back,” Bibb County Commissioner Al Tillman said.

Since the EBID was first formed in 2015, thousands have been spent on improvements from landscaping and other beautification projects to improved security to the addition of 29 streetlights along Eisenhower Parkway.

This story was originally published September 15, 2021 at 12:06 PM.