New Services Provide Relief to Downtown During COVID-19

The Urban Development Authority Implements New Services to Provide Relief to Downtown Businesses During COVID-19

Recent developments associated with COVID-19 have required communities around the world to address how this public health emergency affects the lives of their residents. Similarly, local agencies and entities are adjusting their operations in order to create new solutions for their customers. 

While the Urban Development Authority continues to operate under the COVID-19 guidelines set forth by Macon-Bibb County Government, we have implemented several temporary services to provide additional assistance to both residents and downtown businesses. 

In concert with growing concerns about the spread of COVID-19 related to restaurant operations, the UDA began exploring possible assistance programs several weeks ago. To quickly address the need to help downtown restaurants transition from dine-in to only take-out, carry-out and delivery services, we implemented the downtown Curbside Pick-up service through our partnership with PARK Macon-Bibb. 

Changes to Parking Enforcement

Through this service, we provided downtown restaurant owners with two, free parking meters. Located directly in front of store fronts, the tagged meters have allowed businesses greater ease at operating pick-up services while providing their customers with the convenience of free parking.

After implementing the Curbside Pick-up service and in order to provide additional assistance to downtown residents and patrons, the UDA suspended the enforcement of downtown parking meters. It is important to note that regular parking enforcement will resume after existing stay-at-home orders are lifted. 

In addition to these parking services, the UDA made two key changes to offer temporary financial relief to current customers. 

Relief for Loan and Rental Payments

First, UDA loan recipients have been offered a three-month forbearance for loan obligations. Second, current commercial tenants can take advantage of the offer to waive rental payments for one month. 

Although these services are temporary, they will undoubtedly assist residents and downtown businesses as our community continues to transition due to ongoing developments with COVID-19.

Through this transition, the UDA will continue to work to find solutions to serve Macon-Bibb County, while striving to leverage public and private resources to advance downtown.

For questions or concerns about special UDA services related to COVID-19, please contact Alex Morrison at amorrison@maconbibb.us.