Macon-Bibb County

Even though our recreation rental contract forbids most of the practices in this picture, no violator suffers any consequence because there's no safety deposit required. Here's a best of list of problems:

1. Almost all cars entering the park illegally drive to the pavilion, the area near the playground with the most children. The more beautiful the park becomes, the more families use it, and the more chance that a child or a park-goer will be hit. In this case, Kacy Keene (in red) was there with her child, and according to her, the child was nearly hit by motorcycles.

2. Though the contract clearly states that renters only rent the space within the perimeter of the pavilion itself, this party has simply set up a grill and seating right on the public walking path, effectively preventing free passage.

3. When people bring a bounce house into the park, they go far beyond the pavilion into the field, effectively closing off an entire section of the park far beyond the pavilion--a violation of the contract's perimeter rule. Since the contract welcomes bounce houses, it essentially welcomes a violation of the contract's own rules. Since renters bring bounce houses in on trucks, and since the contract allows bounce houses, the city's contract invites a violation of its own rule: Vehicles in the park violation: “No vehicles of any kind are allowed on the grass or within a park’s perimeter. Vehicles MUST be parked in designated parking areas.”

4. Vehicles driving into the park damage the park grounds. The turf where cars regularly drive has been stripped bare of grass, leaving large, unsightly dirt patches, making the pavilion area look like a raggedy provisional parking lot.

5. This party, like many, has set up a large grill right next to the sidewalk. These large grills are almost always carried in by truck, violating the no cars in the park contract rule. In this case, they wedged their trailer between five maples next to the pavilion. The trees have had their bark damaged already by vehicles operating in this area.

6. The contract states that there should be no decorations taped to the facility, since it harms the paint. But there is no enforcement of this—or any—contract stipulation. Today, tape and nails cover the pavilion's new paint job.

7. This party brought five cars in and out of the park, repeatedly violating the no driving in the park stipulation of the contract. Law enforcement asked them to take the cars out of the park after a few hours, but when the police left, the party brought two more cars in the park.

The recreation contract does not work because it carries no consequences.

Road construction and closures hurting locally owned business. The Bear's Den Restaurant is completely cut off from normal traffic on Oglethorpe Street. Intersection of College Street and Oglethorpe completely closed for 3 months or more. The only other 2 ways to get to the restaurant have large Road closed signs blocking most of the lane. The signs indicate that these roads are open for local traffic but due to size of barrier and wording a large percentage of people believe they can not continue. Since project began last Monday we are averaging 100 to 150 less customers per day. We employ 21 full time employees. With this decrease in sales, jobs are in danger. We have been in business in the same location for 25 years. At the very least we ask for the signs at the intersection of First and Oglethorpe be removed as well as the Intersection of College and Forsyth St. This loss of business is devastating to a lot of families working here. This business is adversely affected as long as the intersection is closed. We are asking for help as soon as possible.

I am escorting 16-20 students from Central High School to Tattnal Park after school. We walk East Napier to cross over Interstate 75. Much of the sidewalks along this route are overgrown and, in places, the concrete is broken and hazardous. These problems obstruct walking to where children have to walk in the road to avoid the hazards. These concerns essentially hold true from Central High School to the Mercer side of the I-75 overpass.

Riverside Drive Lane between Hill Street and Orange Street. Brush is overgrown and needs cutting back.

This house has been abandoned now for about 8 years and is completely falling apart and is a hazard to the neighbors.

Montessori of Macon went back to school this week so there is increased traffic at this intersection. The combination of grass that is overgrown and a hill makes seeing to make the turn very difficult unless you pull out into the intersection.

A crosswalk is needed just below Coleman Hill at the triangle at Georgia and Spring. You have a sidewalk In the triangle that does not have a safe way to enter or exit. Very dangerous, and there is not another crosswalk on Georgia for about a mile stretch, despite having the busy attractions of the park and the Hay House right there.

Cars in Tattnall Square Park.

A tree has fallen from the alley across my fence and into my yard. The tree needs to be removed and the fence repaired. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

The lot at 1012 Walnut is vacant and has not been tended to for over two years. The grass/weeds are overgrown and the pecan tree has lost several limbs, a few of which nearly landed on a neighboring house. Aside from the unkempt appearance, it provides an space for rodents and other pests to live and breed.

Numerous potholes, all along the road, getting deeper and deeper...