Following the destruction of the "Welcome to Fort Hawkins Neighborhood" sign, Macon Arts Alliance applied for a Downtown Challenge Grant from the Community Foundation of Central Georgia to replace the gateway sign that marked the entrance to Macon's First Neighborhood. The original sign, located at the corner of Main St. and Hydrolia St., was irreparably damaged during an auto accident. Thanks to the generosity of funding allocated by the Knight Foundation and the Peyton Anderson Foundation, through the DTC, a stately new sign designating the entrance to the 1823 historic neighborhood will be installed on Friday, January 19 at 10 am.
 
Designed through a process of community input with thoughtful integration, complementing ongoing area improvements in East Macon, the new gateway sign is a shining example of what residents and visitors can expect as new community assets are brought online to bring vibrancy back to this important area.