Bringing hope back to neighborhoods, one house demolition at a time
Published by John on
MACON, Macon-Bibb County’s eighth blighted house in Mayor Lester Miller’s 30 in 30 initiative began.
Mayor Miller says the demolition represents actions backing up campaign promises. Four blighted houses have been demolished in the Lynmore Estates area in less than two weeks.
The neighborhood used to be known for its many blighted homes but as the county continues its fight for blight many leaders are optimistic about the future of this area. Old memories of the area lie close to the hearts of several county leaders.
Bibb County Commissioner Bill Howell reflected on the initiative, saying, “I remember coming to this neighborhood on this very street, several houses down this is where my grandparents were growing up as a kid.” Commissioner Raymond Wilder also has fond memories of growing up in the neighborhood.
“We used to play in the park that was over here and over in the baptist church that was up in the neighborhood just a little bit more just in the yards there. I remember some fun times with friends,” he says.
Wilder says as he grew up more houses became vacant and were left abandoned. “It took a shift to do some revitalization and things started improving, and we definitely still have a long way to go but it’s very encouraging to see what we have going on here now,” he says.
Established in 1945 Lynmore Estates is a World War II-era neighborhood. As time went on homeowners sold their houses, people moved and the neighborhood fell into disrepair. Since 2005, nonprofits like the Macon Area Habitat for Humanity have poured time, effort, and resources into the neighborhood.
Executive Director Ivey hall says seeing blighted homes demolished can serve as an encouragement for residents. “Now they [residents] know there’s a clean space and it is a lot of incentive to keep that ripple effect going and to clean up properties in the neighborhood.
The hope is demolitions, such as the one at 4036 Worsham Ave, will result in permanent changes.
“The change starts with us cleaning up. The change starts with tearing down some of these houses, the change starts with individual pride and personal responsibility,” said Commissioner Bill Howell.
