WHO: Historic Macon Foundation, Macon-Bibb County Mayor Robert Reichert, Dover Signature Properties

WHAT: News conference to announce new plans for converting Alexander IV Elementary School to a senior living center 

WHEN: 10 a.m. Thursday, June 25

WHERE: Alexander IV, 3769 Ridge Ave.

BACKGROUND: When the Historic Macon Foundation announced its inaugural Fading Five list of endangered properties in Macon-Bibb County in 2015, Alexander IV Elementary School was on it.

Now, community leaders will gather for a groundbreaking ceremony as work on converting the old school to a high-end senior living center — including a new wing for Alzheimer’s disease patients — shifts to high gear, thanks to Dover Signature Properties  and Piedmont Construction Group. Details of the redevelopment plans will be announced.

Macon-Bibb County Mayor Robert Reichert will join Rick Dover, managing director of Dover Signature Properties, and Ethiel Garlington, executive director of Historic Macon, for the announcement. It was originally scheduled for March, but was postponed.  

The school, located at 3769 Ridge Ave., was built in 1932. It closed to students in 2008 and was declared surplus property in 2013 before plans coalesced to transform the building.