On August 29, 2017, Historic Macon Foundation announced its third annual list of endangered historic places in Macon-Bibb County. The list, known as Macon’s Fading Five, was announced at the Train Recreation Center, located at 715 Oglethorpe Street.

The 2017 Macon’s Fading Five includes the Train Recreation Center, Guy E. Paine House, A.E. Barnes Duplexes, Bobby Jones Performing Arts Center, and Cotton Avenue District. The Train Recreation Center, Bobby Jones Performing Arts Center, and Cotton Avenue District were included last year and remain on the list. The Grotto and the John B. Brooks House were declared “saved” from 2016’s list.  HMF Executive Director, Ethiel Garlington, presented the new list and said, “we continue to be amazed at the results of the Fading Five initiative and are eager to collaborate with the community to find solutions for the 2017 places.  We hope citizens will get involved with our Preservation Committee that works year-round to develop strategies for these unique places.”

HMF’s preservation committee culled through over 20 nominations from members and the general public to select 2017’s Fading Five. The Board of Trustees and Preservation Committee uses the Fading Five to create strategic preservation plans for each of the listed properties and works creatively with property owners, local leaders, and supporters to find preservation solutions. Properties remain on the list until the place is no longer under threat. A new list is announced annually with updates for each site.  Since inception, the program has helped save six out of nine endangered properties with positive momentum for the other three. Thanks to the generosity of the 1772 Foundation and the Community Foundation of Central Georgia in 2017, HMF now has a revolving fund - Fading Five Fund - dedicated specifically to preserving endangered places in our community.