https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dPCdjZ2oKA
The visionary development body
Their knowledge and common sense approach proactively responds to Downtown Macon’s revitalization needs and keeps projects moving forward.
Say Hello to Your Urban Development Authority
BOARD
The seven members of the Authority are appointed by the Mayor of Macon-Bibb and approved by County Commission to four-years terms. Members may serve no more than two consecutive four-year terms.
The appointees must be residents of Bibb County.
MEETINGS
The Urban Development Authority’s regular meetings include a board meeting held on the second Thursday of the month at 8:30 a.m. and a work session held on the fourth Thursday of the month at 12 p.m.
Board meetings are located at the Terminal Station (200 Cherry Street) in the Morris H. Cohen Conference Room on the fourth floor.
Meetings remain open to the public.
STAFF
The paid staff of the Urban Development Authority consists of an Executive Director, Office Manager and Project Director/Assistant. The executive director also serves as the Assistant Manager on the Macon-Bibb Government Economic & Community Development Team.
Alex Morrison has served as the Executive Director of the Urban Development Authority since 2011. His role is to work directly with the UDA board to collectively and creatively solve issues that rise with urban revitalization and move ideas into transformation projects for Downtown Macon.
Alex is a 2007 graduate of Mercer University, where he majored in journalism and philosophy. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi fraternity and earned the distinction of the Mercerian Award during his senior year. He also assisted in the founding of the College Hill Corridor before moving to the University of Georgia to receive his Master of Public Administration degree in 2010. He has previously served as the Main Street Manager for the City of Macon, Chair of the Historic Macon Foundation Board of Directors and as one of Macon Magazine’s “5 Under 40”. He is currently the Program Chair for Macon Rotary Club, Chair-Elect for Ocmulgee National Park Review and Preserve Initiative and Economic Restructuring Chair for Main Street Macon. Additionally, Alex is a member of the Bragg Jam Board of Directors, Bike Walk Macon Board of Directors and the Connections Art Festival Board of Directors.
Alex volunteers with Bike Walk Macon’s initiative Open Streets Macon. He enjoys cooking, traveling, bicycling, fantasy sports, playing tennis and going to rock concerts. Native to Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, Alex currently lives in Macon, Georgia with his two cats, Patterson and Cooley. His favorite Macon experiences include seeing shows at the Capitol Theatre, eating all of the great food, drinking at the brewpubs and working with his friends to make Downtown Macon the best it can be.
Loretta Thomas has served on the Authority since 2016. She is the owner and broker of A Home For You Realty, LLC in Macon. Prior to owning her own real estate company, she was the regional sales manager for BellSouth Advertising and Publishing from 1984 to 2006.
She was BellSouth Advertising and Publishing President’s Club winner for eight years and a Circle of Excellence Award winner for nine years. Loretta is a member of the Macon-Bibb County Revolving Loan Fund Committee, South Macon Arts Revitalization Technology (SMART) board and the One Macon Business Education Partnership. In 2016, she served as Vice President of the Women’s Council of Realtors and was a member of the 1998 class of Leadership Macon. In 1999, she was a Leadership Macon board member.
Loretta is an active member of her church and she volunteers with the Special Olympics. She enjoys traveling, decorating, dancing, shopping, sports and concerts. She and her husband have one son, George Thomas, Jr. Her favorite Macon experiences include seeing shows at the Douglass and Capitol Theatres, walking through the streets of Downtown, the Poplar Street Christmas Light Show, visiting the Tubman Museum and experiencing the variety of food and shopping opportunities that Macon has to offer.
Kay Gerhardt has served on the Authority since 2012. She is a retired attorney from Harris & James Attorneys at Law.
The Macon native received her Bachelor of Science from Loyola University before earning her J.D. at Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law. In addition to her work as an attorney, she’s served as a judge for the City of Macon’s municipal court.
She is currently on the Bike Walk Macon Board of Directors, serves as the chairwoman for the Depaul USA Board of Directors and is a member of the Depaul International Board of Directors. She was formerly the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of both Historic Macon Foundation and Intown Macon.
Kay volunteers with Daybreak, Open Streets Macon, Macon Film Guild and her church’s social service ministry. Aside from working on her volunteer projects, she enjoys reading, traveling, hiking, hanging out with friends and spending time with her dog, Zack. Kay enjoys watching movies at the Douglass Theatre, seeing the latest Theatre Macon production and trying all of Downtown Macon’s great restaurants.
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