Macon-Bibb officials already considering future sales tax projects

From remodeling the Grand Opera House to attacking blight and continuing to make recreation center improvements, Macon-Bibb County leaders have a long wish-list of projects they'd like to pay for with future penny sales tax proceeds.

Next year, Macon-Bibb County residents likely will vote on a new round of projects that would be funded through the special purpose local option sales tax. In the meantime, county officials already have begun thinking of ways the sales tax could be spent.

The 2010 SPLOST, expected to bring in about $190 million, has been used to build a new juvenile justice center, relocate the animal shelter and make road improvements along the Second Street Corridor, among other projects.

Now, it's time to look to the future, officials said.

"I'm confident there will be quite a number" of projects, Mayor Robert Reichert said. "We'll develop a consensus and solicit ideas from members of the community before finalizing a list."

Reichert also said he'd like to see some of the sales tax revenue used to refurbish the City Auditorium and remodel of the Grand Opera House. Last year, commissioners passed a resolution supporting about $2.3 million worth of restoration work there, but a funding source has not been set.

The opera house, which is leased by Mercer University, also has office space.

"We'll probably have to rely on SPLOST funds to do (upgrades) quickly and effectively," Commissioner Larry Schlesinger said. "There's work to be done if we expect to maintain it as a first-class venue."

One expense that's unavoidable -- estimated at about $10 million -- is the closure of Macon-Bibb's main landfill.

It's a project that SPLOST money could help pay for, elected officials said.

"That is an expensive proposition and something that is staring us in the face," Reichert said.

BLIGHT, ROADS

While commissioners focus on blight projects with $9 million in bond money, several of them have said tens of millions of dollars in future sales tax proceeds are needed to really address a problem that plagues Macon.

Commissioners Virgil Watkins and Bert Bivins said neighborhood revitalization as well as storm drain and road infrastructure should be a focus.

"Now that we're trying to work to get some (blight) handled, hopefully people will be satisfied with what's done and will be more supportive of it in the future," Bivins said.

Commissioner Al Tillman agrees the county needs to take a more aggressive approach with blighted houses.

"We need to have money set aside to purchase these dilapidated properties ourselves and tear them down or partner with developers, groups or organizations," he said.

In north Bibb County, Commissioner Gary Bechtel said he supports more dollars going toward the expansion of Bass and Bowman roads along the commercial areas. Throughout Bibb County, there's also a need to repaint center lines on roads and add more lighting, Commissioner Mallory Jones said.

RECREATION

Reichert and commissioners say they support a portion of sales tax revenue being spent on the next phase of recreation and park revitalization.

So far, about $20 million from the current SPLOST pool has been designated for the construction of a new south Bibb recreation center and upgrades at places like Central City and East Macon parks.

Commissioner Scotty Shepherd said he'd like to see some money targeted to completing the sub-South recreation center that could become a premier activity site in the area if a tennis complex is completed there down the line. There also could be money put toward widening roads as development continues along Sardis Church Road, he said.

"I think that would be an economic driver in our area," Shepherd said of the prospect of attracting more tennis tournaments to Macon.

Commissioner Elaine Lucas said one option, among many parks and recreation projects, could be at the site of the current Appling Middle School. It will become vacant after a new school is built on the Northeast High School campus.

"Maybe we could team with the (Bibb County school board) on making that an athletic complex with provisions for competitive swimming," she said.

Another recreation project that could get another infusion of money is the Filmore Thomas Recreation Area, where Tillman said he would like to see an indoor facility built.

Jones also would like to see the completion of work at Henry Burns Park on Ingleside Avenue.

"If I'm not able to do that with blight funds, then that would be a project I would support (with SPLOST money)," he said.

To contact writer, Stanley Dunlap, call 744-4623 or find him on Twitter@stan_telegraph.

This story was originally published December 2, 2015 at 2:47 PM with the headline "Macon-Bibb officials already considering future sales tax projects ."