Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
June 14, 2006
Macon Road Land Usage Tops Forum Discussion
Chuck Williams, Staff Writer
For the second time in as many nights, MidTown Inc. has sought input from residents about how best to develop the Macon Road property around the Columbus Public Library.
About 50 residents at Carver High School said Tuesday they would like to see a mix of residential and commercial property around the library. The comments were similar to those Monday night at Columbus High School.
"I'm surprised that they seemed to embrace the density of the residential units," said MidTown Inc. Executive Director Teresa Tomlinson.
The Muscogee School Board has asked MidTown Inc. to facilitate discussions about how best to develop the property surrounding the $50 million library, which opened early last year.
Most of the people she talks to want to see quality housing ranging in price from $150,000 to $300,000 on the property, Tomlinson said.
"I hear that from both sides of Macon Road," she said. "They all want nice housing to go in there."
There are three plans up for discussion. The plans call for:
- Turning most of the 50-acre site surrounding the library into a public park.
- Turning most of the property into a residential development that would consist of up to 380 condominiums, townhomes and houses.
- Turning almost 25 acres into park spaceand developing up to 250 residential units.
All three plans contain two new public buildings, a school district administration building and a city services center.
Anne Wright, who lives on Stream Mill Road, expressed some concerns about the high number of residential units.
"I do think the School Board should centralize its offices on that location," Wright said. "I am a little concerned about the housing because I wonder if we can sell it for the money they are talking about."
The area under discussion consists of four tracts:
- 14.2-acre library site
- 23.7-acre site that was once Columbus Square Mall
- 15-acre Sears site
- 1.6-acre Firestone site
One of the proposals under consideration is the restoration of Lindsey Creek. The creek, which runs on the backside of the library property, is currently a concrete culvert. The estimated cost to reclaim the creek is $1.1 million.
Four school board members - Chairwoman Mary Sue Polleys, Fife Whiteside, Pat Hugley Green and Naomi Buckner - and Columbus councilor Nathan Suber attended the forum.
IF YOU GO
What: Public Forums sponsored by MidTown Inc.
When and where: 6pm Thursday, Northside High School; 10 am Saturday, Baker Middle School