REPORT OF PROGRESS 2018-2019
1
ATTRACT. LEVERAGE. INVEST
Downtown Macon has become the place to be. The energy is palpable— a downtown teeming with talented, creative, and entrepreneurial people, young and old—people living, working, investing, praying and playing in downtown. We’re blessed with the gifts of geography, abundant natural and human resources, quality health care, exceptional colleges and universities, and great bones— magnificent historic structures. People want to be part of what’s happening here—talented young people, determined to build a better future for themselves, their families, and this community. Hundreds of redeveloped lofts are fully occupied. Cool restaurants, bars and retail establishments line our streets. Public infrastructure investments reflect our community’s growing selfconfidence and willingness to reinvest in itself.
WILLIAM D. UNDERWOOD Chair of the Board of Directors
Artists, entrepreneurs, and preservationists have combined forces to revive Macon. Organizations across our community are collaborating to make the city more vibrant and competitive. We’ve empowered new, young leaders to bring fresh ideas and energy to the cause. It’s happening now because of the extraordinary leadership of NewTown Macon. NewTown exists because of your commitment to reviving our urban core. We’re succeeding. But we’re not done. We need your continued engagement with downtown. We need your investment in our work and community. We need your support.
OUR To attract, leverage and invest in self-sustaining transformation in Downtown Macon. MISSION
OUR VISION
A vibrant and authentic city experience unparalleled in the South.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
NEWTOWN STAFF
William D. Underwood Chair Karen J. Lambert Vice Chair Dan Forrester Treasurer Tony Rojas Secretary Blake Lisenby Of Counsel Chris R. Sheridan Chair of Ocmulgee Heritage Trail Committee Juanita T. Jordan Chair Emerita Dr. R. Kirby Godsey Chair Emeritus Thomas Wicker Past Chair
Josh Rogers President & CEO
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Virgil Adams Ember Bentley Jean Bragg Jim Daws Carl Garofalo Corrie Hall Bob Hatcher Curtis Hertwig Bill Kilburg Elbert McQueen Lester Miller Emily Myers Bryan Nichols Jacob Patton Robert Reichert John Rhea Scott Seigel Ron Shipman Scott Thompson Yvonne Williams Michael Wright
James Fritze Chief Financial Officer Erin Keller Vice President for Development Bethany Rogers Director of Business & Real Estate Development Emily Hopkins Director of Place George Thomas, Jr. Office and Leasing Manager Bill Fulger Construction Manager Mark Thompson Photographer & Special Events Assistant Jolie Rowland Finance Assistant
STRATEGIC PLAN 2017-2022
G O A L S MACON ACTION PLAN
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80%
@c @c80
& 2
GROWING JOBS
current (69%)
grant projects funded
in foundation grants
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5
5
30
Ocmulgee National Historical Park Designation Achieved
203
pieces of movable furniture
NTM sponsored events held on the trail in fiscal year 2018-2019
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Bike lanes, programs, 1-2 trail connections
Complete commercial office database
Public programs/ activations fiscal year 2018-2019
miles added
NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
27%
CREATING A SENSE OF PLACE
1.75
goal:
1000
goal:
85%
lofts in downtown
goal (80%)
parcel vacancy in CDB
in additional public/private investment in downtown since 2012
OCMULGEE HERITAGE TRAIL
4
goal: 15%
INCREASING RESIDENTS
648
storefront occupancy in target blocks
129
$400M+
3
69%
of MAP strategies implemented
$5M
O B J E C T I V E S
7
89%
loft occupancy
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6
352 Lofts by 2022
S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y
$3M goal: $10 million
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Program Related Investments
million raised for Godsey Initiatives Fund
$4M
invested in Program Related Investments
months BID has been implemented NEXT STAGE
Sustain public programming
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Raise $7M for Godsey Initiatives Fund
2018/2019 Annual Report
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GROWING
JOBS
MACON
544 MULBERRY
EXCHANGE
STREET OFFICES NewTown Macon began investing in office space in 2017 by purchasing and rehabbing the first floor of the American Federal Building at 544 Mulberry Street. In 2019, NewTown Macon, in partnership with Peyton Anderson Ventures, LLC, purchased the fourth and ninth floors with plans to rehab and re-lease office space for new and established businesses.
NewTown Macon won a grant from the Downtown Challenge Fund to host Macon Exchange, a pop-up retail incubator. The Macon Exchange offered a way for budding businesses to test the downtown market with minimal risk. Nineteen retailers participated and sold wares such as original art, greeting cards, jewelry, homemade soaps and lotions, wreaths, and more. In just a month’s time, these 19 diverse retailers generated nearly $9,000 in sales!
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Thanks to a generous grant from the Knight Foundation Fund, NewTown Macon held its first Entrepreneur’s Academy in the fall of 2018. NewTown partnered with the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development to develop the curriculum for the Entrepreneur’s Academy. Seventeen entrepreneurs graduated from the inaugural course. NewTown will continue to offer this resource for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs as part of our commitment to grow jobs and support downtown businesses.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FUND LOANS
128
45
NET NEW JOBS*
NET NEW BUSINESSES*
*Numbers based on 2018-2019 fiscal year in the Central Business District
LOAN RECIPIENTS
oo Traveler Camper oo Satterfield’s BBQ
oo Kudzu Seafood oo Z Beans Roastery
By participating in the Entrepreneur’s Academy, I learned to access my market to see the customers’ needs, understand financial projections, and generate a detailed business plan that contains business goals, the methods on how these goals can be attained, and the timeframe within which these goals need to be achieved. Anthony Howard Gamez on Wheelz
We wanted to reopen Satterfield’s, a 35-year old barbecue institution. NewTown Macon helped us navigate the process of financing our project— bridging the gap between our bank loan and total needed. Marla Kaplan & Ben Hampton Satterfield’s BBQ
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BUSINESS EXPANSIONS*
oo Independent Laundry Company oo H & B Storefront and Mirror (Macon Office)
The Entrepreneur’s Academy gave me the tools to move from working in my business to working on my business. Paired with financing from NewTown, it gave me the confidence to hire staff and create an exceptional team to support the shop so that I could have time to build my brand. Scott Mitchell Travis Jean Emporium
IN PROGRESS Bibb Theatre
350 Second Street
In partnership with Peyton Anderson Ventures, LLC, NewTown Macon will rehabilitate the historic Bibb Theatre. The building will be restored to its 1963 condition, including the iconic marquee. NewTown will issue a Request or Proposals to local developers and entrepreneurs who are interested in leasing and operating the restored theatre.
NewTown Macon has partnered with Moonhanger Group to develop 350 Second Street as a nine-room boutique hotel with a speakeasy-style bar. This joint venture will help accommodate the growing number of tourists enjoying downtown’s restaurant, bar, and music scene.
455 Third Street
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Create an office database to track office occupancy 2018/2019 Annual Report
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G N I S A E R C IN
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT FUND LOANS
We set out to develop a unique concept in downtown Macon by creating a space where people could relax in their own homes, enjoy a dinner in a visually distinct restaurant with local craft beer, go out and catch some sun on the beer patio, or enjoy activities on the bottom floors under one roof. NewTown Macon’s financing made our concept possible. Ashok, Kunj, and Yash Patel Macon Beer Company
With all of the growth happening downtown, we wanted a real estate opportunity along with a great space for a new outfitters store. Completing both the store and the large scale historic renovation would not have been feasible without the help of NewTown Macon. Josh and Bethany have been an absolute wealth of information on all aspects of the project from start to (almost) finished! Tanya Williams Ocmulgee Outfitters
When I founded Oglethorpe Realty Company and Oglethorpe Construction Group, it stemmed from a seed that was planted during the Developer’s Academy in 2018. My first office was inside The Office at NewTown Macon. Since then, I’ve purchased an office building, a couple historic mixed-use properties, and some vacant infill land in order to continue the rehabilitation and in-fill housing needs in, and near, downtown Macon. Cherise Cartwright Oglethorpe Realty
IN PROGRESS Lee Building
536 Third Street In the spring of 2019, NewTown Macon entered into a joint venture with Kunj Construction to rehab the former Karsten-Denson Hardware Store at 536 Third Street. The project will add 31 residential lofts to the market, equipped with 12 parking spaces in the building’s cavernous basement, and 3 commercial storefronts. 6 6
Clisby Lofts
596 Cherry Street In partnership with a private local developer, NewTown will rehabilitate 596 Cherry Street. The project will include 4 lofts and 3 storefronts. The transformation of this high traffic corner in downtown Macon will help add more commercial and residential space to one of NewTown Macon’s target blocks.
Willingham Building 461 Third Street
The Willingham Building will be redeveloped in tandem with the Bibb Theatre rehabilitation project under the ownership and management of NewTown Macon and Peyton Anderson Ventures, LLC. Once fully rehabilitated, this historic gem will be home to 9 loft apartments and one 1,700 square foot retail storefront.
RESIDENTS
photo credit: Macon Magazine
In the spring of 2019, NewTown Macon hosted the Developer’s Academy for the fifth consecutive year and produced 12 graduates. The Developer’s Academy is a six-part course designed to teach interested individuals the basic skills necessary to develop real estate in downtown Macon. Graduates are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to undertake their own downtown revitalization projects. The next Developer’s Academy is slated to begin in January 2020.
SPEARMAN LOFTS In the fall of 2018, NewTown Macon finished construction on 520 Mulberry Street, the Spearman Lofts building. Built in 1904, this building features 12 luxury lofts with granite countertops, original hardwood floors, and incredible views of downtown Macon. Spearman Lofts’ high-end finishes and historic charm allowed the lofts to be 100% occupied within months of opening.
LOAN RECIPIENTS oo 565 Poplar Street oo 604-616 Poplar Street
oo 551-567 Plum Street oo 350 Second Street
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oo 452-458 Second Street oo 536 Third Street
1000 lofts by 2022, 300+ lofts are needed to reach this goal. 2018/2019 Annual Report
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CREATING A
photo credit: Macon Magazine
SENSE OF PLACE
BID AMBASSADORS In 2017, property owners adopted the Business Improvement District. Since that time, the BID board of directors has been working tirelessly to create a clean and safe downtown Macon. In late 2018, the BID contracted with Block by Block to hire and train BID ambassadors. Orange-clad ambassadors have been on the streets removing graffiti, power washing, and providing security patrol on the weekends.
BID BY THE NUMBERS*
270 313 558 369 429 graffiti removed
handbills removed
*Based on date from January 2019-June 2019
8 8
interactions assisting businesses
hours of power washing
trash bags disposed
MAIN STREET MACON MOVES TO NEWTOWN MACON
BRIGHT CITY
CHRISTMAS Bright City debuted in March and made our alleys brighter and more inviting. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, NewTown Macon contracted with Dashboard, an arts agency based in Atlanta, to curate Bright City, a public art installation along Second Street Lane. Twelve photos from local and regional photographers illuminate our downtown alleys and will remain on display until March 2020. Bright City is part of NewTown Macon and Main Street Macon’s commitment to creating more public art experiences in our urban core.
During the month of December, a multi-colored canopy of 500,000 twinkling lights covers the streets of downtown Macon, attracting over 100,000 people downtown during the holiday season. In just two years, the Main Street Christmas Light Extravaganza had a $2.4 million economic impact. Now in its third year, the Main Street Christmas Light Extravaganza offers an entire month of family-friendly programming like Shop Small Saturday, Christmas in Downtown, Selfies with Santa, an evening with live reindeer, and carriage rides!
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NewTown Macon is now part of the national Main Street network! In fall 2018, the Macon-Bibb County Commission voted to approve NewTown Macon overseeing our community’s Main Street program as a public-private partnership. For the past 8 years, Main Street Macon had been a County program. This transition provides more synergy in downtown development efforts and saves the County $50,000 annually.
Main Street Macon’s board now functions as a committee of NewTown’s board of directors and oversees NewTown’s placemaking and programming efforts.
Sustain programming of public spaces 2018/2019 Annual Report
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E E G L U M OC L I A R T E G HERITA WE HAVE A NATIONAL PARK! This spring, the Ocmulgee Mounds National Monument became designated as a National Historical Park! NewTown Macon applauds the efforts of community leaders to make this dream a reality. The National Park designation will help our community move closer towards creating a National Park & Preserve that could lead to a potential $206.7 million in annual economic activity.
MIKE FORD TRAIL In April, NewTown Macon celebrated the completion of the Walnut Creek Connector along the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail. The 1.75 mile trail is a key connection along the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail that links downtown Macon to the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. GDOT awarded MaconBibb County $600,000 from the Transportation Enhancement (TE) program to construct the trail and NewTown Macon raised over $300,000 in private donations to help complete the fundraising necessary for the project. Local fundraising helped match a grant from the National Park Service to make the connector ADA compliant. Over 60 donors gave nearly $129,000 to complete this important connector in honor of previous NewTown Macon President and CEO, Mike Ford.
ACTIVATE THE OHT NewTown Macon won a grant from the Downtown Challenge Fund to host a series of activations along the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail to encourage use of the trail during ongoing Interstate construction. In the fall, fitness enthusiasts participated in yoga and Zumba. In February, Maconites kicked off the winter blues during Flannels and Frost featuring a winter market, craft beer, games, and s’mores.
NEXT STAGE 10 10
Create bike lanes connecting neighborhoods to downtown and OHT, sustain programming, and complete 1 to 2 Trail connections
G N I N I A T S SU H T W O R G
PROGRAM RELATED INVESTMENTS
Philanthropic foundations invest their assets in local projects that create a powerful impact in their communities. These projects are known as Program Related Investments. Peyton Anderson Foundation has partnered with NewTown Macon to invest in several key projects in downtown Macon like the Bibb Theatre, the Willingham Building, and office space at 544 Mulberry Street. Bibb Theatre and the Willingham Building are examples of projects that would have been cost prohibitive for a private developer to complete but are essential to the character of downtown Macon. Without Peyton Anderson Foundation’s investment, these buildings would not be saved and rehabilitated for new uses. Additionally, Mercer University has made a program-related investment in NewTown Macon’s loan program to support entrepreneurship and innovation in our urban core. Mercer’s generous investment allows NewTown to lend to entrepreneurs and developers who will increase residents and diversify business offerings in downtown Macon.
KEY STATS
$750,500
$2,134,000
$9,051,100
$4,055,500
loaned to downtown businesses*
total amount loaned since the inception of NewTown’s loan program in 2012
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loaned to real estate development*
invested in Program Related Investments (PRIs)*
GODSEY INITIATIVES FUND In 2017, the Godsey Initiatives Fund tripled in size thanks to the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Griffith Family Foundation, and Dr. R. Kirby Godsey. The Godsey Initiatives Fund is an endowment and line of credit that allows NewTown to offer capital and coaching to businesses in downtown Macon. The Godsey Initiatives Fund is a unique tool and provides a competitive advantage for downtown Macon that allows traditionally underserved populations to access capital to turn ideas into functioning businesses. Growing the Godsey Initiatives Fund is imperative to the growth of downtown and NewTown Macon. NewTown needs to raise $7 million to hit our $10 million goal for the Godsey Initiatives Fund. Dr. Godsey will match every donation made to the Fund, up to $3.5 million. Investing in this fund ensures entrepreneurs have the resources they need to be successful and attracts more diverse businesses and customers to our thriving downtown.
* Fiscal year 2018/2019
Raise $7M for Godsey Initiatives Fund 2018/2019 2018/2019Annual AnnualReport Report
1111
FINANCIALS INCOME SOURCES
RESOURCE ALLOCATION
4%
TOTAL: $2,182,833
2% 23%
14%
16%
23%
NET ASSETS
35%
44%
TOTAL: $2,486,500 43%
40%
42% 9%
5% Contributions Restricted Grants Membership Dues Rental Income In-Kind Contributions Investment & Interest
TOTAL: $10,562,526
Increasing Residents Growing Jobs Creating a Sense of Place Support Services
43% Unrestricted Temporarily Restricted Permanently Restricted
3 WAYS TO SUPPORT NEWTOWN SHOP LOCAL
GEORGIA GIVES DAY
PLEDGE
Support our loan recipients and downtown businesses. When you shop locally at downtown businesses, you’re investing in your fellow community members.
Save the date for Georgia Gives Day on Giving Tuesday! Make a donation on December 3 to NewTown to help support our operations. No gift is too small (or big!).
Our Capital Campaign fuels our work. By making a unrestricted pledge, you are investing in NewTown’s daily operations to fulfill our mission and achieve our vision.
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THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS GIFTS OF MORE THAN $50,000 Anonymous Donor Anonymous Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia Community Foundation of Central Georgia Griffith Family Charitable Foundation, Inc.
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Knight Foundation Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia The Peyton Anderson Foundation
$10,000-$49,000
$1-$499
BB&T Cadence Bank E.J. Grassmann Trust Gateway 75, LLC Georgia Power James H. Porter Charitable Trust Macon Bibb County Macon Water Authority Navicent Health Robins Financial Credit Union Southern Company Gas The Beverly B. Meadors Charitable Fund
Ariane Parham Bert Maxwell, IV Bethany and Prince Rogers Bob and Linda Brown Bryan Persons DJ Dammann Donald and Theresa Rhodes Drs. Eric and Jeanne Roddenberry Elizabeth and Bobby Schorr Elizabeth Cirone Emily Hopkins Erin P. Keller Gail B. Mansfield Hal and Sandra Baskin Janis Haley John H. Jones Kara Keller Kay Gerhardt Kris and Ben Vaughn Mary Kay and Todd Smith Mr. & Mrs. Spyros Dermatas Mr. & Mrs. William P. Simmons, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. John Newsom Mr. J. Patrick Meyer & Dr. Glenna Meyer Nannette and Todd Keller Nicole Kubas Stanley Hall Stephen A. Reichert Tom Wight W. Hampton Logan
$500-$9999 Adams, Jordan & Herrington All-State Electrical Contractors, LLC April Hornsby Bob Lewis & Associates Burgess Pigment Company Capital Partners Certified Development Company Center State Bank Cox Communications Demi Properties Drs. Michael and Bridget Wright Dwight Jones Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia Geico Philanthropic Foundation Georgia Pine Level Foundation GHC Mechanical, Inc. Hargray James-Bates-Brannan-Groover, LLP Jean Bragg Lester M. Miller, Attorney at Law Lisenby & Associates McNair McLemore Middlebrooks & Co, LLC Meaghan and Josh Rogers Metro Power Northway Church of Macon Phillips Chiropractic Piedmont Construction Group, Inc. Reichert for Macon- Bibb County Robert Betzel Sierra Development Group Vein Specialists of the South, LLC Visit Macon
IN-KIND DONATIONS All State Electrical Contractors Cumulus Communication Howard Moore McDuffie Lisenby & Associates Law Firm Macon Magazine Middle Georgia State University Chris R. Sheridan
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DOWNTOWN EVENTS JAN-MAR
APR
ALL THAT JAZZ
PAN AFRICAN FESTIVAL
tubmanmuseum.com
tubmanmuseum.com
CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
FIRED WORKS
cherryblossom.com
MAGNOLIA SOAP BOX DERBY
maconartsalliance.org
magnoliaderby.com
MAY-JUNE SECOND SUNDAY (April - October) braggjam.org
SPRING STROLL OF MACON HOUSES & GARDENS hayhousemacon.org
JUST TAP’D CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL facebook.com/JustTapd
1,258 EVENTS HELD IN DOWNTOWN
14
7 ART GALLERIES
33
BARS, VENUES & ENTERTAINMENT
JULY-SEPT
OCT
NOV-DEC
braggjam.org
HISTORIC MACON FLEA MARKET
MACON FILM FESTIVAL
historicmacon.org
maconfilmfestival.com
TOUR OF PROGRESS
MACON BEER FESTIVAL
newtownmacon.com
themaconbeerfest.org
TRICK-OR-TREAT IN DOWNTOWN MACON
BRAGG JAM
OCMULGEE INDIAN CELEBRATION
newtownmacon.com
ocmulgeemounds.org
SPIRITS IN OCTOBER
MACON BURGER WEEK
riversidecemetery.com
maconga.org
52 RESTAURANTS
MAIN STREET CHRISTMAS LIGHT EXTRAVAGANZA maconga.org
CHRISTMAS PARADE maconbibb.us
CHRISTMAS IN DOWNTOWN newtownmacon.com
NUTCRACKER OF MIDDLE GEORGIA midganutcracker.com
5 THEATRES
AAAAAAA AA A AAAAAA
725,549 EVENT ATTENDANCE
2018/2019 Annual Report
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555 Poplar Street Macon, GA 31201 478-722-9909 newtownmacon.com
´ @newtownmacon
DESIGN BY ERICA NEUBAUER.
ericasneubauer graphic
design
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS: Maryann Bates, Jave Bjorkman, Macon Magazine, Mark Thompson, Luke Ursy, Jessica Whitley