The Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority (MTA) has been selected to receive a 2025 AARP Community Challenge grant, part of the organization’s $4.2 million nationwide investment this year.  

According to AARP, the goal is to make communities more livable by turning great local ideas into improvements that benefit people of all ages, with a nod to older adults.

With this generous AARP grant, MTA will create the Spirit of Macon Park at the corner of Fifth and Poplar Streets, directly across from its Transfer Station (bus hub) and historic Terminal Station. 

According to Louis Frank Tompkins, MTA board chair and AARP Lead Volunteer: We are honored to receive the AARP Community Grant Award in support of transforming our downtown property into the Spirit of Macon Park. The project reflects MTA's commitment to enhancing public spaces and supports Macon Bibb’s vision as an Age-Friendly Community where all generations can connect, thrive, enhance their qualities of life, and feel at home.  

The Spirit of Macon Park was one of 383 projects chosen from among 3,450 submissions nationwide, along with nine other Georgia projects.  

Maconite and former AARP Georgia State President, Myrtle Habersham weighs in: I am very excited that MTA was selected for the prestigious AARP Challenge Award.  10 organizations were awarded this grant within the state as the national competition for this award was very competitive. MTA's Spirit of Macon Park project will expand access of our local outdoor spaces for older adults as well as persons with disabilities; thereby enhancing the quality of life initiatives for residents of Macon-Bibb.

The Spirit of Macon Park is the lynchpin in MTA’s long-term goal to transform the corner of Fifth and Poplar.

1. Phase 1, January 2022 — Spirit of Macon I (wrap-around mural) ribbon cutting

2. Phase 2, August 2022 — Spirit of Macon II (Poplar Street Tunnel mural) ribbon cutting

3. Phase 3, September 2022 — MTA clearcut the heavily wooded area abutting the Poplar Street Tunnel 

4. Phase 4, 2023-2025 — Multi-faceted plan to lay the foundation for a potential park 

- Macon-Bibb Public Works — repaired sidewalks on both sides of Poplar Street 

- Macon-Bibb County Traffic Engineer — reduced lanes from two narrow ones to one wide lane exiting the tunnel to improve pedestrian safety & prevent large trucks from running over the sidewalk 

- Macon-Bibb County Parks & Recreation — removed unsightly beams on the park site & cleaned up the grading on the corner of Poplar Street

This AARP Community Challenge Grant, along with the foundational preparation which preceded it, will enable MTA to create an attractive urban pocket park with an added wellness component for older adults and non-athletes of all ages in a previously undeveloped area of downtown Macon. The Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority is approaching this exciting project with great anticipation. Completion by mid-December 2025.