The Heart of Georgia: Macon
The Sun Belt has seen substantial population growth since the 1960s from an influx of people seeking a warm and sunny climate, a surge in retiring baby boomers, and growing economic opportunities.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard
US 80/Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard is an arterial road that has historically separated Macon’s commercial center from industrial uses straddling the Norfolk Southern rail corridor.
The Broadway Lofts are located in an old sewing factory built in 1916 for Happ Brothers. Happ Brothers made overalls in this building until ceasing production in the late-1980s.
357 Oglethorpe Street (left) was recently purchased for Historic Macon and houses the inventory for their annual Flea Market. In its 39th year, the flea market is Historic Macon’s longest-running tradition and raises funds for preservation efforts in Macon. The warehouse next door (right) houses the Macon Beer Company. This production brewery includes a tasting room and beer garden.
1st Street
1st Street connects Downtown Macon with the Medical Center of Central Georgia.
The Medical Center of Central Georgia is the second largest hospital in the state.
2nd Street
2nd Street is a major thoroughfare in the heart of Downtown Macon. Future plans call for the transformation into this auto-centric road into a context sensitive multimodal boulevard and livable street, connecting downtown with Mercer University and I-75.
The Capitol Theatre (right) opened in 1916 and operated for 60 years before closing in 1976. After 30 years of neglect, it reopened as the Cox Theatre in 2006.
