Macon-Bibb greenlights major arena project with $350M bond. What we know

Macon-Bibb County officials have approved up to $350 million in bond financing for a new arena that will replace the Macon Coliseum, though the project’s final price tag remains uncertain at this time.

A county official said that while the arena’s final cost and design have yet to be finalized, there is an expectation that the venue will transform Middle Georgia’s entertainment landscape and enhance the experience for visitors.

“The bond proposal is to provide the funding we anticipate needing, but the final cost will be determined once the full design is completed,” Macon-Bibb County Chief Communications Officer Chris Floore said in an email Wednesday. “That work is still ongoing as we look at estimates and make decisions on what will and won’t be included.”

The Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority (UDA) approved the sale of up to $350 million in bonds to help finance the new arena on June 4, according to UDA Executive Director Alex Morrison. The vote came two days after the Macon-Bibb County Commission approved an intergovernmental agreement authorizing the authority to issue up to $350 million in taxable revenue bonds for the project.

What’s special about the new arena?

The state-of-the-art arena will be built on the current Macon Coliseum site, with construction taking place on existing surface parking lots, according to the Macon-Bibb County website.

Macon-Bibb County officials said the new arena will add to the region’s growing roster of premier venues and encourage further development, as previously reported by The Telegraph.

“This arena won’t be just a venue. It will be a destination and major economic engine that creates opportunities, attracts visitors, and keeps our city competitive for years to come,” Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller said in a March 19 news release. “Along with the Atrium Health Amphitheater and recently renovated Macon City Auditorium, we are changing the entire entertainment, event, and sports landscape for the region and state.”

The arena is expected to host a variety of events, including minor league hockey and basketball games, high school tournaments, concerts, conferences and trade shows, according to project officials.

Floore said one of the project’s goals is to create a venue that better serves all stakeholders, a key distinction from the current facility that has fewer amenities.

“What’s really setting this facility apart from the current facility is that it’s being designed with all users in mind, from the attendees to the athletes to the staff to the talent to event organizers to show promoters,” Floore told The Telegraph. “We want it to be an experience for anyone who walks into the building for any reason.”

The facility is expected to exceed 230,000 square feet and seat about 8,500 people.

The venue will feature premium seating options such as luxury suites, club suites and loge boxes, along with concessions, restrooms, locker rooms and integrated technology.

“It will be a larger seating capacity, allowing for larger events, and we will have a flex hall space attached,” Floore said. “That’s something we wanted to add based on feedback from the athletic tournaments currently hosted and those we want to host.”

Floore added that the space will also allow athletes to have a warm-up area, or even multiple competitions occurring at the same time.

Barton Malow and Sheridan Construction were chosen as the construction managers for the new arena.

“It’s a privilege for our firm to return to Macon’s legacy of entertainment and civic pride, having built the original coliseum 57 years ago,” Sheridan Construction President and CEO Christy Kovac said in a news release. “We believe this project will serve as a powerful economic and tourism engine, attracting visitors, creating opportunities and enriching the lives of everyone in our community for generations to come.”

Miller previously said the county hopes to break ground on the new arena in July, with construction expected to be completed in 2028, as previously reported by The Telegraph.

Floore said officials are still targeting a groundbreaking ceremony in late July. Before then, he said, the public will get its first look at the building’s exterior and interior design.