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Macon-Bibb Commission dedicates stretch of Poplar Street to Brian Nichols, approves up to $500 for signs
Summary
The Macon-Bibb County Commission voted unanimously on March 18, 2025, to adopt an ordinance dedicating the portion of Poplar Street between First and Third streets in honor of local businessman Brian Nichols and approved a supplemental appropriation not to exceed $500 for signage.
The Macon-Bibb County Commission voted unanimously on March 18 to dedicate the portion of Poplar Street between First and Third streets in honor of Brian Nichols and authorized up to $500 from the general fund for materials and installation of commemorative signage.
Commissioner Valerie Wynne sponsored the ordinance, saying Nichols founded the Macon Main Street Christmas “extravaganza” and helped revive downtown with its holiday displays. Wynne read the ordinance on the floor, noting Nichols opened Taste and See Coffee Shop and Gallery in February 2013 and launched the downtown light display in February 2017. She said the event drew “100,000 people” in its first year and, in recent seasons, expanded to 5.5 city blocks using 1,000,000 lights and bringing “more than 900,000 visitors” to downtown — figures Wynne presented to the commission during the reading.
The ordinance states that the named portion of Poplar Street “shall henceforth be and thereby be dedicated in honor of Brian Nichols,” and authorizes the Facilities Management Department to purchase materials to install signing in accordance with the dedication, with a supplemental appropriation “not to exceed $500” from the general fund. After Wynne moved the ordinance and a second was obtained on the floor (the second was not recorded by name in the transcript), the commission approved the measure by a voice vote. The meeting record shows the motion “carries unanimously”; individual roll-call votes were not recorded in the transcript.
Mayor Lester M. Miller and other commissioners applauded Nichols during the reading. Miller clarified the action is honorary: “We’re not changing the road,” he said, noting the county will install signs at each end of the dedicated block. The ordinance also states Nichols will receive a commemorative copy of the adoption.
The ordinance does not change the legal name of the street; it provides for honorary signage and a small supplemental appropriation to effect installation. Staff direction in the text assigns Facilities Management responsibility to procure the signs and materials; no date for installation was specified in the meeting discussion.
Votes at the meeting reflected a voice vote only: the motion passed and the commission recorded the outcome as unanimous, with no individual vote tally provided in the transcript.
