College Hill Progress Report: March 2014 - Present Presented to: College Hill Alliance Steering Commi5ee July 10, 2014 Prepared by:
1083 Washington Avenue Macon, GA 31201 collegehillmacon.com
NCAA Watch Parties
College Hill Alliance (CHA) played a significant role in the coordinaIon of watch parIes in Mercer Village during the NCAA Tournament. The events strengthened partnerships between on-‐campus organizaIons, CHA, and Village merchants.
Mercer vs. Duke Watch Party. Photo credit: Mercer University.
CHA Office Has Moved
The Alliance is now located at a new, centrally located office at 1083 Washington Ave.
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Events and travel for partner mee0ngs are much easier. We’ve also seen more walk-‐up traffic and public interest.
The Next Big Idea
The live pitch porIon of Next Big Idea business plan compeIIon took place in Mercer’s Science and Engineering Building on April 5. The event had 10 teams present their ideas to local judges in the morning and the top three teams showcased their plans to the community in the aUernoon. First place was awarded to Team Mic to start a karaoke lounge; second place went to Team Share the Shot to fund a mobile prinIng business; and, third place was given to Team Haversack to implement their idea for a local grocery store. Team MIC - First Place Winners. Photo credit: Maryann Bates.
Reunion Zero
Reunion Zero offered the graduaIng class of 2014 an opportunity to celebrate their Ime at Mercer in a casual and entertaining manner that encouraged giUs to the university and promoted Macon as a place to live, work, and play! We had over 100 pledges, 50+ Alumni, 4 Campus Departments, 20+ local businesses, and 500+ student to parIcipate.
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The event provided proof of concept for CHA’s larger and more comprehensive talent reten0on strategy.
Mercer Mingle on the Woodruff House lawn. Photo credit: Mercer University.
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Second Sunday
This year’s concert series is in full swing with increased sponsorship, larger crowds, and more vendors than ever before. CHA’s partnership with Bragg Jam is working well and plans to shiU producIon and talent costs in 2015 are sIll in effect.
June Second Sunday ft. AJ Ghent. Photo credit: Maryann Bates.
Bike Sharing Feasibility
CHA has partnered with Spokefly, an AusIn-‐based bike sharing company, to explore the creaIon of a local program. Nate McGuire, co-‐founder of Spokefly, conducted a feasibility study in May.
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Based on the recommenda0ons, CHA has applied for a Knight Neighborhood Challenge grant to implement the project.
Music Ambassadors
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CHA conInues its collaboraIon with the Music Ambassadors: Macon program by promoIng and assisIng with logisIcs. We are also brainstorming what the next phase of the program might look like.
Patterson Hood performs at 619 College St.
TE on Schedule
The Alliance conInues to offer progress updates regarding the the TE construcIon via social media outlets as well as by direcIng quesIons to relevant sources of informaIon.
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CHA con0nues con0nues to build rela0onships and trust as a convener and trusted source of informa0on and problem solving.
Roundabout center circle being poured on College St.
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Press Tour
Laurie Rowe CommunicaIons and CHA hosted a media tour June focusing on journalists who produce arIcles in print and online across mulIple interest plakorms, primarily, travel and business.
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The College Hill project is garnering na0onal and state-‐wide publicity as a model for crea0ve economic development.
Friends of Tattnall
College Hill as the top story on ExploreGeorgia.org.
CHA conInues to play an acIve role in the compleIon of projects in Ta5nall Square Park including new entryways, sidewalks, and the rain garden. Ta5nall was named Frontline Park of the Month for June by the City Parks Alliance. Atlanta’s Piedmont Park is the only
ArtPlace Grant: Macon Maker Festival On June 25, ArtPlace America announced that the College Hill Alliance was one of 55 applicants chosen to receive a grant in 2014. On July 1, CHA held a press conference to announce that the $125,000 grant would be used to create a maker fesIval in Ta5nall Square Park in April 2015. The two-‐day event will feature naIonal makers with the latest craU-‐ and tech-‐based technology. Speakers, interacIve acIviIes and food vendors will also add to the event. Full press release is available here. World Maker Faire in New York
Macon Made Seal
On July 1, CHA unveiled the Macon Made seal. Created by a local Macon Maker, the seal is designed to be placed on local products, ranging from artwork to manufactured pieces, to raise awareness of local talent. Registered Macon businesses can request the seal by emailing maconmade@gmail.com.
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With the MaconMaker.com survey, Makers Mingles, makerspace ini0a0ve, Maker Fes0val and Macon Made Seal, the Maker Movement is taking hold in Macon and beginning to reshape how we view crea0ves and entrepreneurs.
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College Hill in Georgia Trend July’s issue of Georgia Trend features the story of College Hill’s incepIon and several success stories that further establish the project as a naIonal model.
Historic Macon Partnership CHA has partnered with Historic Macon FoundaIon to update homes and properIes on the NaIonal
Master Plan Update
The completed College Hill Corridor Master Plan update will go to print in the next two weeks. The plan will guide the neighborhood forward as the Alliance begins its sunset.
Coming Soon . . . •Aeolian Bike Ride
•Hammocks in the Park •TurboVote Kickoff Concert & Debate •Business Support Speaker Series
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