Macon-Bibb officials updated on potential Riverside Drive development
Representatives from a firm involved with environmental testing at a Riverside Drive tract of land said they're optimistic the downtown site can be used for residential development.
Geotechnical & Environmental Consultants informed Macon-Bibb County commissioners Tuesday that progress is being made at the 10-acre site. In 2013, a development group called Renaissance on the River backed out of developing the site because environmental restrictions prevented the land from being used for condominiums.
Since then, Geotechnical has tested the site and plans to present a report to the state's Environmental Protection Division early next year. The Riverside Drive site, bordered by Spring Street, Second Street and the Ocmulgee River, was once the home of a plant that turned coal into gas for light and heat.
Commissioner Mallory Jones said Tuesday he has concerns about more money being spent on property for which developers may have trouble getting loans.
Attorney Andy Welch, who is working with Geotechnical, said that's an underlying issue that would be clearer if the EPD lifts its restrictions. The site could be cleared for residential development by May 2016, according to Geotechnical.
The data from soil testing will be important for any reclassification, said Thomas Driver, president and CEO of the Macon branch of Geotechnical.
"We've taken care of a lot of unknowns and created a pathway for development," he said. Tests revealed that soil contamination in shallow areas on the site is limited and that preliminary results show it's low risk. Additional soil work will be done to prevent issues moving forward, said project manager Carrie Holderfield.
In 2013, development group Renaissance on the River, led by former Mercer University President Kirby Godsey, stepped away from a mix-used project at the site because of the restrictions.
BLIGHT PROJECT PROCESS REVEALED
A Macon-Bibb County Commission committee learned more about the process of removing blighted properties and promoting development in the county.
Blight consultant Cass Hatcher spoke with commissioners about how he would approve projects and also the involvement of the Macon-Bibb County Land Bank Authority. Commissioners each have $1 million to spend on various blight projects.
Commissioners will bring their ideas to Hatcher, who will determine if they meet guidelines that include having a future use such as a public space or redevelopment potential.
Hatcher said he also has compiled a top 15 list of projects from commissioners' suggestions and plans to present those ideas early next year.
Hatcher and commissioners also will work closely with the Land Bank Authority, which will help acquire many of the properties.
MEMORIAL PARK CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT
The commission's Operations and Finance Committee approved a resolution to approve $1.8 million in upgrades to the Memorial Park Community Center.
A new pool would be among the additions to the community center. The money will come from the current special purpose local option sales tax.
The final vote on the agreement likely will be taken by the full commission in January.
To contact writer Stanley Dunlap, call 744-4623 or find him on Twitter@stan_telegraph.
This story was originally published December 22, 2015 at 5:42 PM with the headline "Macon-Bibb officials updated on potential Riverside Drive development ."