EDITORIAL: Two important announcements bode well for Macon

There were two notable announcements last week on the housing and development front. First The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved the razing and replacement of Tindall Heights, the 75-year-old, 412-unit housing complex just south of Little Richard Penniman Boulevard. This doesn’t mean the bulldozers will begin work anytime soon. There are many approvals needed before that can happen. At the root of all of them is money.

The envisioned project will cost $40 million, probably more. The first phase of the project is a 76-unit senior housing complex, but to get that started the Georgia Department of Community Affairs has to give the go ahead for the use of low income tax credits. While the Macon Housing Authority will not say this out loud, its reputation of using tax credits in the manner designed is impeccable. Still, the process is competitive, but we would have to think that the housing authority with -- Tattnall Place, Pearl Stephens Village, 2009 Vineville, Baltic Park, Grove Park and Bartlett Crossing, among others -- has an enviable track record of redeveloping areas successfully.

Its record is also admirable with residents of the impacted areas and the assistance given to each family in finding another place to live. With vouchers it can make the new residences as affordable as where they are currently living.

The new development will only have, when finished 270 units and will help create Macon’s new gateway. It will continue Mercer’s substantial investment on the south side of Little Richard Penniman where there will be student lofts, businesses and a pedestrian bridge. The Second Street Connector work is progressing and the first phase already open.

The second announcement is progress on the blight side of the equation. The adhoc blight committee has recommended Georgia Behavioral Systems as the blight project manager. What does that mean exactly? It means that Cass Hatcher, who was instrumental in many of the housing authority projects mentioned above, will be leading the effort. Hatcher is the director of housing development and facilities for Georgia Behavioral Systems. He has been there and done that and much of that right here. He knows this community well.

There’s no need to break out the champagne yet. The finish line is years away, but we need to celebrate each incremental step of the journey.

This story was originally published September 15, 2015 at 10:25 PM with the headline "EDITORIAL: Two important announcements bode well for Macon ."