These students discovered that Macon was well positioned to recruit and grow creative service industries such as graphic design, marketing, and the arts by retaining talented young people graduating from the city's academic institutions.
Inspired by this visit, the group of students dreamed a plan, entitled, "College Hill Revisited," to spur this growth by reconnecting Mercer University and Downtown Macon.
By summer, the newly formed Commission began holding public meetings to gather input and momentum from the local community to create a shared vision for the Corridor.
Created by a three-year, $2 million grant from the Knight Foundation, the College Hill Alliance is a department of Mercer University and became operational in the fall of 2009.
The College Hill Corridor Commission is a diverse group of volunteers committed to promoting an improved physical, cultural and social connection between Downtown Macon and the historic neighborhoods surrounding Mercer University.
Formed in 2007, the Commission shepherded a process that culminated in the College Hill Corridor Master Plan, which represents the best ideas of a talented design firm, local government officials, neighbors, students and even visitors.
The co-chairs of the Commission, appointed by the Mayor of Macon and President of Mercer University, also sit on the College Hill Alliance Steering Committee.
The College Hill Corridor is a two-square mile area between Mercer University and Macon, Georgia's downtown business district comprising several historic city neighborhoods.
With regular, cool events enhancing the area’s Vibe; greenspace and eco-conscious initiatives that improve the Environment; cycling and pedestrian efforts to cool the streets and meet the multi-modal goals of the Connection; residential and business developments targeting the College Hill's Look as Macon’s urban and historic center; and, initiatives and projects dedicated to the Basics of creating a place that is clean, safe and branded, College Hill is an ideal area to live, work, learn, dine, shop and play.
The goal of the College Hill Corridor, located in these parameters, is to create a cultural and physical connection between Mercer University and downtown Macon.
The Corridor tries to add economic value to the city's tax base, keep residential and commercial areas clean to attract and retain students and young professionals.
The Lights on Macon Tour and Sidewalk Stories are several of the initiatives taking place in The Corridor to boost the local economy and improve the quality of the town.
The timed racing event takes place on Magnolia Street’s hill and has teams compete for the title of fastest car and most creative structure.
The week features concerts, downtown get-arounds, specials and discounts at businesses, tours, information about Macon, and career guidance from young alumni.
The College Hill Alliance launched an open call for people to join the "Maker Movement" – a growing national network of artists, craftspeople, business owners, entrepreneurs and innovators building new, locally-driven economies.
The Maker Movement is the approximately 135 million adults – 57 percent of the American population ages 18 and up – who employ their creative skills in craft activities, such as making clothing, jewelry, baked goods or art.