CREATEANUNPARALLELED URBANCOREEXPERIENCE

Although Macon is unique, we can learn from the experience of other cities. Although Macon is unique, we can learn from the experience of other cities. One of the primary features of successful downtowns across the country is that they offer a distinctive experience that draws visitors, attracts talent, drives investment, and creates jobs. The urban experience is rooted in a city’s vibrancy and unique spirit, how much there is to do, the social life of a community, and the vibe of the spaces and events that bring people together or encourage them to explore and get to know a place. In other words, a successful urban center must offer a wide range of activities that make people to want to visit, stay, play, live, work, launch, and invest.

What defines the Urban Core experience in Macon today? One of the most frequently repeated comments throughout the public outreach process was, “We’d like more things to do.” Almost 40% of comments on the collaborative map requested more entertainment options and restaurants, with retail open later and restaurants and bars open seven days a week.

Macon also craves downtown places and gathering spaces where people can come together: the Urban Core has a collection of passive green spaces. Some, like Tattnall Square and Washington Park serve as valuable amenities for the surrounding neighbors and institutions. But in downtown, there is no dedicated civic gathering space with program and a distinctive personality. Although downtown has 1.2 miles of inhabitable medians, they are underutilized. While almost two-thirds of the study area is within a five-minute walk of public open space, much of that open space is not performing to its maximum capacity. This underutilized open space includes the riverfront, and people are eager to do something about it; in rating programming options for the Urban Core, nightlife on the riverfront stood out as the top choice.

How can the Urban Core experience become the flagship downtown experience we all want for Central Georgia? Strategies to do this address the following themes:

• Clean and safe for all: How does the Urban Core look and feel, night and day?

• Events and programming: What exciting things can we do?

• Parks and public space: Where can we do these exciting things? Where can we relax and take in this beautiful city?

• Branding the Macon experience: What do I first see when I come to the Urban Core as a visitor? What is the brand? How easy is it to navigate for residents and visitors?

• Promotion of local culture and history: Why should I come here as a visitor? And why might I stay?