Macon-Bibb approves $68,000 consultant contract for Linear Park community engagement

The Macon-Bibb County Commission voted to authorize the mayor to execute a $68,000 professional-services agreement with Francis and Wade Limited Co. to provide community engagement and project management services for Linear Park improvements.

Alex Morrison, director of planning and public spaces, told the commission the funding comes from a competitive state grant and is part of the roughly $1.375 million allocated for the Linear Park project, describing the park as an unnamed strip of mitigation land adjacent to I‑75 in Pleasant Hill that the Pleasant Hill Neighborhood Organization had identified as a priority for improvement.

“We’ve been in the design phase,” Morrison said, “and this funding, the $68,000, is part of the 1.375 that we were allocated for this project. This will be for community engagement and project management.”

Pleasant Hill resident and community advocate Tondra Kabir described an existing local process: monthly neighborhood meetings, outreach events and planned activities (including a neighborhood reunion and voting events) to solicit names and design preferences. Kabir said the neighborhood organization and board will narrow suggested park names to a top list for community voting and that features such as a pavilion and bike path offer additional naming opportunities.

Commissioners asked whether grant funds could be used for related street improvements (speed cushions or crosswalks); Morrison said the grant is specific to park improvements and approaches to the park (e.g., 1st, 2nd and Middle streets) rather than off-site corridors. The commission approved the contract and sent the item to the consent agenda.