News and Updates from the Macon-Bibb Community Enhancement Authority
GDOT Honors Macon-Bibb CEA Chairman State Rep. James Beverly
State Transportation Board Commends Beverly for Service to Constituents and Leadership of Macon-Bibb CEA
Macon, Georgia (June 16, 2017) – Citing his exemplary service to the citizens of Georgia, the Georgia State Transportation Board has chosen to formally honor State Rep. James Beverly (143rd District) for his service to his constituents and leadership of the Macon-Bibb Community Enhancement Authority. State Rep. James Beverly serves as chairman of the MBCEA.
Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell McMurry presented the official State Transportation Board resolution to Macon-Bibb CEA Chairman State Rep. James Beverly at the groundbreaking ceremonies celebrating the construction phase of the $495 million I-16/I-75 interchange project.
“The I-16/I-75 interchange project is one of the most significant GDOT projects in Middle Georgia since the construction of the interstate itself back in the 1960s,” said Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell McMurry. “Thanks to Dr. Beverly’s leadership, the Macon-Bibb Community Enhancement Authority serves as an essential facilitator in relations between our agency, the citizens of Macon and stakeholders serving the Pleasant Hill community.”
“We count on Dr. Beverly and the Macon-Bibb CEA to serve as an important bridge between the state and local residents,” Commissioner McMurry noted. “This interstate project will improve travel not only for the people of Middle Georgia but also for the millions of motorists who travel through this particular interchange each and every year.”
“It is an honor to be recognized by the Georgia State Transportation Board for service to my constituents and leadership efforts on this truly transformative project,” said State Rep. James Beverly, chairman of the Macon-Bibb Community Enhancement Authority. “When we started this project we had high hopes and lofty goals. I am proud to say that we have accomplished many of those goals and are working towards making many more of them a reality.”
The Pleasant Hill Mitigation Plan is the formal name for the $495 million I-16/I-75 Interchange reconstruction project that will improve the safety of the interstate corridor by widening and reconstructing I-75 from Hardeman Avenue to Pierce Avenue and I-16 from I-75 to Walnut Creek within the City of Macon.
In cooperation with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the Macon-Bibb Community Enhancement Authority (MBCEA) plays an integral role in the project as the authority connects state and local organizations and engages the community.
As part of its work on the Mitigation Plan, the MBCEA has moved seven structures, hired local residents to perform the rehabilitation work on these buildings and conducted a job fair that attracted almost 200 people. The next steps for the Authority include continued rehabilitation of the seven moved houses and continuing preparations for the construction of 17 brand-new homes that will be built from the ground up in Pleasant Hill.
For information about the Macon-Bibb Community Enhancement Authority and the Pleasant Hill Mitigation Plan visit www.MaconBibbCEA.com.
About the Macon-Bibb County Community Enhancement Authority
The Macon-Bibb County Community Enhancement Authority (MBCEA) was established to support commercial development, community improvement and alleviation of poverty in Macon. Working in partnership with the local community and stakeholder organizations, the activities of the authority are directed by State Rep. James Beverly, chairman, and its board of directors. The Authority’s initial focus area is Pleasant Hill with future projects slated for East Macon, Houston Avenue, Bloomfield, Village Green and Macon-Bibb County at large. For more information visit www.mbccea.com or follow @MaconBibbCEA on social media.
GDOT Establishes Schedule for Demolition of Homes as Part of Mitigation Plan for Macon’s Pleasant Hill Community
Macon, Ga. (December 15, 2016) – Moving forward in the effort to complete the Pleasant Hill mitigations and to begin the reconstruction of the I-75/I-16 interchange, the Georgia Department of Transportation, working in partnership with Pleasant Hill and the Macon-Bibb Community Enhancement Authority (MBCEA) led by State Rep. James Beverly, has established a schedule for the demolition of 19 homes in the Pleasant Hill neighborhood. Demolition work is scheduled to begin January 3, 2017 and weather permitting, should be completed February 6, 2017.
“The Pleasant Hill Mitigation Plan is a great example of all parts of a local community coming together to partner with a state agency to make great things happen,” said State Rep. James Beverly, chairman of the Macon-Bibb Community Enhancement Authority. “I am looking forward to working closely with GDOT and the Macon-Bibb County community at large to help this exciting project benefit the entire region.”
The demolition work will include abatement contractors in protective gear removing materials from the houses in a controlled environment. Once materials are properly removed, contractors will then demolish the houses by tearing down with heavy equipment and removal from the property.
“We are pleased that there is an established schedule and that we are moving forward with this very critical project,” said Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell McMurry. “This collaboration and partnership with Macon-Bibb Community Enhancement Authority, the Pleasant Hill Neighborhood Improvement Group and the community has resulted in our finalizing the mitigation portion of the project and clearing the way to move forward with the interchange project.”
The I-16/I-75 Interchange reconstruction project will improve the safety of the corridor by widening and reconstructing I-75 from Hardeman Avenue to Pierce Avenue and I-16 from I-75 to Walnut Creek within the City of Macon. Within this corridor, there are four interstate/arterial route interchanges (I-16 at Spring Street, Second Street, Coliseum Drive and I-75 at Hardeman Avenue) and a system level interchange between I-16 and I-75. Due to the magnitude and complexity of this project, there will be an impact to the Pleasant Hill community and as such, a mitigation plan is an essential piece of the overall project. The first phase of the I-16/I-75 project is in the December 2016 letting.
Much of the mitigation work focuses on the relocation of homes within the Pleasant Hill neighborhood. Georgia DOT worked with MBCEA—a local community entity that promotes community enhancement and economic development throughout Macon-Bibb County—to facilitate optimal mitigation success. MBCEA selected seven vacant lots and residential structures for relocation and rehabilitation in Pleasant Hill. In addition, MBCEA will build 17 new residential structures throughout the community with the goal of ensuring that a total of 24 homes are either relocated, rehabilitated or newly built. These houses will be compatible with the context of the historic community and will ensure that the cultural heritage of Pleasant Hill is preserved. Georgia DOT will relocate and rehabilitate the Penniman House, which was the boyhood home of celebrated artist Little Richard.
Cultural resource mitigation efforts captured the oral and visual history of the Pleasant Hill neighborhood. Other mitigation efforts include creating a linear park that with green space and multi-use trail, lighting and information kiosks along the east side of I-75 and the creation of the Jefferson Long Park on the west side of I-75. The Penniman House will be relocated adjacent to the Jefferson Long Park and will serve as a community resource center, where specially created mobile interpretative panels will be displayed.
Mitigation commitments also include the demolition of 16 houses, constructing noise and visual walls along I-75 within Pleasant Hill; replacing the David Lucas Pedestrian bridge, transforming an existing open drainage ditch into a grass-covered culvert, and streetscaping (resurfacing and sidewalk rehabilitation) throughout the community.
For more information on the project; visit www.dot.ga.gov/I-16I-75 or http://www.dot.ga.gov/BS/Projects/SpecialProjects/I16I75.
About the Georgia Department of Transportation
Under the leadership of Commissioner Russell McMurry, P.E., Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) plans, constructs, maintains and improves the state’s roads and bridges, and interstate highways; and provides planning and financial support for other modes of transportation including rail, transit, general aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian programs. The department is also involved in waterways, including the Savannah and Brunswick ports and intracoastal waterway.
About the Macon-Bibb County Community Enhancement Authority
The Macon-Bibb Community Enhancement Authority (MBCEA) was established to support the commercial development, elimination of blight, community improvement, and alleviation of poverty in Macon, Georgia. The programs of the MBCEA benefit local residents, small businesses and minority businesses serving this economically challenged area. Working in partnership with the local community and organizations, the activities of the authority are directed by State Rep. James Beverly, chairman, and its board of directors. For more information, visit www.MaconBibbCEA.org.