On Tuesday, February 12, the Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority (UDA) approved a Letter of Interest with Gaming & Leisure Properties, Inc. (GLPI) for the purchase of the former JC Penney at the Macon Mall.

GLPI is interested in the site to potentially build a casino and hotel once the State of Georgia approves the process for casino licensing. In exchange for the Letter of Interest, GLPI will fund up $2.5 million to demolish the former JC Penney, upgrade the Macon Mall to enclose that section, and clear, pave, and landscape the area around the site.

The partnership is for five years, initially, and should GLPI exercise its option to buy the property, it will pay the UDA $20 million (subject to customary closing conditions and bring-down due diligence). GLPI can extend this agreement by an additional five years, and should it wish to do so, will pay the UDA $500,000.

“We’ve always looked at this area of the Mall as having the potential for future hospitality and retail development and continuing the revitalization of the Macon Mall,” says UDA Executive Director Alex Morrison. “With this interest by GLPI, we are making sure that Macon is preparing for future economic development and investment here.”

“We have the chance to leverage Macon-Bibb County’s location in the state and along the interstates, the interest in this area thanks to the Amphitheater and Macon Mall, and our already growing tourism to make us the most competitive city for future development,” says Mayor Lester Miller. “Our goal from day one has to been to attract people back to this part of town, and we are truly seeing the results of that investment and focus.”

“Macon’s tourism growth is the result of intentional planning and investments that create memorable experiences for both visitors and residents. The Atrium Health Amphitheater and Rhythm & Rally have established this corridor as a regional attraction and demonstrated the power of thoughtful development,” says Gary Wheat, President & CEO of Visit Macon. “As conversations continue around future opportunities, our focus remains on ensuring that any project enhances our visitor offerings, supports sustainable economic impact, and aligns with the values and brand that define Macon.”

The future development of this area is part of the larger ongoing effort to revitalize the Macon Mall and rejuvenate that area around Eisenhower Parkway and Mercer University Drive. Already, the Macon-Bibb & the UDA have opened the Atrium Health Amphitheater and Rhythm & Rally (the world’s largest indoor pickleball facility), moved services (Board of Elections, Planning & Zoning, library branch, Building & Fire Safety, the Mayor’s Literacy Alliance, and more) there, welcomed several new businesses to the area, and begun talks with developers about additional major investments and growth.

Having opened in March 2024, just in its first year, the Atrium Health Amphitheater hosted 22 shows plus other events, welcomed more than 100,000 fans, sold out two concerts, and helped change the landscape of Macon music.  Spending in 2024 associated with the Atrium Health Amphitheater, on average, exceeded $20 million in the community.

Rhythm & Rally now boasts nearly 800 members and has hosted 3,300 players in more than two dozen tournaments. More 100,000 players from 49 states have competed on its courts in 2025. In two years, it has had an estimated economic impact of $8 million.