A Year in Review
Reconnecting Macon
Inspiration from the civic commons in 2023
Be inspired in the new year with reflections from cities across the country using their civic assets to build trust, connect people of all backgrounds and deliver more resilient communities. Today, the fourth in our series of photo essays reflecting on the past year of progress features the civic commons work in Macon.
Macon hosts Civic Commons Studio #7
Welcoming cities from across the Reimagining the Civic Commons Learning Network was the most significant event this year for the Macon team. Their visit served as a validation of progress to date and collaborative team efforts on projects citywide.
Studio attendees visited the recently completed Cotton Avenue plaza, the former site of a confederate monument now reimagined and a testament to the power of intentional space building, which has been a cornerstone of the team’s work. Read more about the Studio here.
Enhancing Linear Park
Building from their focus on intentionality of spaces and feedback generated from colleagues during the Studio, Macon was honored to receive a $1.3 million grant to enhance Linear Park, originally built as part of a larger mitigation deal with the Georgia Department of Transportation.
The team has actively been engaging community members at the park, generating great ideas from residents about what they wanted to see in the space. For many it was their first time in the park.
Macon Action Plan: Part three
This year also marked the launch of public comment sessions for the third Macon Action Plan. MAP has been the guide to success in Macon for almost a decade, and this popular session continued building on the strength of the team’s democratic approach to planning and implementation.
Reconnecting Pleasant Hill through public art
Continuing the work of reconnecting Pleasant Hill to itself and other neighborhoods is one way the team is helping to reduce the historic impacts of redlining and segregation.
The mural at this complex intersection in the neighborhood is one example of the public art being included in the Pleasant Hill pathway. This mural was designed by local artist Kevin “Scene” Lewis and built by a diverse team of local artists and volunteers led by Bike Walk Macon. While being a new image of community pride, the mural reinforces a safer intersection design and connects to Macon’s first permanent protected bike lanes.
Building Connections: Crosswalks at Clayton & Rogers streets
A symbol of connection between historically segregated neighborhoods, the mural crosswalks at Clayton and Rogers serve as the capstone of the Pleasant Hill pathway. Planned and implemented by local artists working with Bike Walk Macon, this mural represents the unity amongst these neighbors today as we work towards a shared future.
All together, this year has been about “sharing the flowers of our neighborhoods,” as team member DSTO Moore would say, while we are still working towards and even brighter future. We celebrate this work and have begun the plans to take all of it to the next level, together.
Reimagining the Civic Commons is a collaboration of The JPB Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, William Penn Foundation, and local partners.
