“It’s about strengthening neighborhoods.”

Macon-Bibb marks 700^th #BlightFight demolition

"For three years, we have focused on removing blighted and dangerous structures from our neighborhoods because people said they were tired of it," Mayor Lester Miller told a group of several dozen standing in a vacant lot on Holt Avenue. "They were tired of how it looked…tired of the crime it can attract…tired of the creatures that live there. Tired of thinking their neighborhoods had been forgotten."

"I have been so impressed with the professionalism, technical ability, and thoroughness of this group to get the job done, and it makes me proud our community is supported by such dedicated public servants," Mayor Pro Tem Seth Clark said of the assembled team, each person representing a group that plays an active role in the ongoing #BlightFight.

They both stood with several dozen people from departments, agencies, utilities, schools, and the community for the demolition of 1160 Holt Avenue, an abandoned house with a large hole in the roof, the foundation appearing to crumble, walls falling in, and obvious signs of fires inside. This demolition marked the 700^th demolition of the #BlightFight, a major milestone in the progress to strengthen neighborhoods.

And as Mayor Pro Tem Clark pointed out, it was also significant for the neighborhood. It would be the 22^nd demolition just around the two nearby schools, showing a focus to remove dangerous structures from a specific area. When #BlightFight began, Code Enforcement began by looking at dangerous structures around schools and recreation centers to make the first improvements in areas where children and families would gather.

"Our children - and my child does walk to school already, so this is very personal to me - deserve to start and end their school days with a pleasant walk, one where they can get focused on their day or prepare for evening activities," he said. "Not a walk where the houses are falling in, rodents live, and present other dangers. They don't deserve this view."

The demolitions are just the first step - albeit a very visible and quick one - in the #BlightFight. Both the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem thanked the community partners that are undertaking the longer part of the process.

"This isn't just about demolishing structures…what we are celebrating today is but the first step in clearing the way for new and affordable homes, stronger families, and better futures," said Mayor Pro Tem Clark. "I'm proud of how we've worked with partner organizations and made millions of dollars in funding to rebuild homes in our neighborhoods."

"It's about strengthening neighborhoods. Removing the blight is just the first step…we must reinvest in these areas to help keep more blight from happening," said Mayor Miller. "Neighborhood revitalization takes more than just one group or organization because each provides different services and has different resources…but working together as a team means we can do so much more in a shorter amount of time."

Currently, several groups are working on ways to build affordable homes or even get people to buy older homes to revitalize them. Macon-Bibb and the Peyton Anderson Foundation gave $1 million ($500,000 from each) to Habitat for Humanity to build eight homes, and the mortgage payments from those will be used to build even more in the future. Additionally, $3.2 million ($1.6 million each from Macon-Bibb and the Knight Foundation) was given to NewTown Macon and the Historic Macon Foundation, and $7.5 million started a revolving loan fund to build even more housing.

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