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The Lofts Projects Strengthen Renaissance in Macon As part of a renaissance taking place in Macon, Ga., crews are in the midst of building a new business and student housing development adjacent to Mercer University. Macon-based Sierra Development is building a more than $40 million project, known as The Lofts at Mercer. Another project, The Lofts at College Hill, also is coming to life. Sierra Development, which built three phases of the Lofts at Mercer Village, is overseeing these latest endeavors. The Lofts at College Hill is expected to be open by fall, while The Lofts at Mercer should be completed next year. “Mercer has experienced three straight years of growth in its entering freshman class exceeding 10 percent,” said James Netherton, executive vice president of administration and finance. “Mercer has a three-year housing requirement Maryann Bates photo and needs additional housing for undergraduates to meet this growing demand. Lofts V has an opening date of July 2016, As part of a renaissance taking place in Macon, Ga., crews are in the midst of building a new business and stuwhich is essential for meeting the anticipated undergraduate dent housing development adjacent to Mercer University. link Phase V with the main campus. The bridge is a coophousing need for that school year. “Phase IV was designed to house law, medical and grad- erative venture of Macon/Bibb County, Sierra Development uate students. It will be used primarily in 2015 to 2016 for and Mercer. The bridge will not only be functional, but undergraduates. When Phase V is finished, Phase IV will monumental, announcing arrival in Macon as the new route return to its intended use and Phase V will be exclusively for to downtown is developed.” At the July 2014 groundbreaking for Phase IV construcundergraduates.” When construction of The Lofts at Mercer is complete, tion, Mercer President William Underwood told reporters, more than 800 beds of student housing will have been added “The Lofts at College Hill is another major step toward fulto the Macon campus since 2011, with a combined invest- filling the College Hill Master Plan. In less than five years ment of more than $100 million in the five lofts projects and we have been able to attract new residents, recruit new busihotel-restaurant development. The main challenge for those nesses, and improve the aesthetics in the College Hill involved with the overall project is minimizing impact on Corridor through partnerships like the one we have with Sierra Development. It has been a very productive collabouniversity operations. “The impact of any project depends on the location and ration.” David Papageorge, project manager of general contractor nature of the project,” Netherton said. “Communication, Piedmont Construction Group, said Phase IV is moving coordination and careful planning are required to lessen the impact and keep all affected fully informed.”Netherton said forward at a steady pace, with only about 5 percent of the the projects are beneficial to Macon/Bibb County and the work performed on Phase V. “[Phase V] site work, which is being managed by the university. owner, is basically done, and we are in the process of secur“Phase IV continues the economic development of the College Hill Corridor and contributes to the ongoing revital- ing the permits and ordering the rebar, steel and post-tension ization of Macon. It will bring new energy to an important tendons,” said Papageorge. “Phase IV, building two, is roughly 90 percent complete. area of the city. Phase V will greatly enhance what is becoming the primary entrance to the Mercer campus and what will We have started our internal pre-punch list to get it ready for become, with the Second Street Project, the new primary the owner’s punch list. On building one, the siding is being completed and the elevators are being installed. All the dryentrance to downtown Macon from Interstate 75. “Both are very exciting, not just for the University, but wall is hung and finished in the apartments. Prime painting also for the city. Each represents a significant step forward is well under way, and is being followed up by door, trim in enhancing Macon, and each should provide benefits well cabinet installation, flooring door hardware and MEP trim Piedmont Construction Group photo beyond just good housing for a growing student population. out.” Crews continue to work on Phase IV. There is a signature pedestrian bridge being constructed to see LOFTS page 6
By Cindy Riley
CEG CORRESPONDENT