Macon set for retail expansion with Riverside Centre amid traffic concerns

The Macon-Bibb Planning and Zoning Commission has approved the conditional use application for Riverside Centre, a 400,000 square foot development poised to offer gas, groceries and clothing options.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Macon-Bibb Planning and Zoning Commission has approved the conditional use application for Riverside Centre, a 400,000 square foot development poised to offer gas, groceries and clothing options.

The shopping center, which will be located along New Forsyth Road between Riverside Drive and Bass Road, will be located in one of Macon’s busiest areas.

That has some residents concerned. Lifelong Middle Georgia resident Stuart Hammock presented pictures of current traffic congestion, mentioning the difficulties already faced by motorists.

“Some of the hours of the day you can’t get through there,” he said.

Acknowledging the traffic issues, Macon-Bibb Commissioner Valerie Wynn was empathetic with Hammock’s viewpoint but optimistic about the future.

“With any growth and development in an area, you’re going to have growing pains,” Wynn said, noting the county is proactively seeking solutions in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Transportation. She said efforts are underway to widen the roads in question.

While the road widening project is currently in process, there is no definitive completion date for that project or the Riverside Centre development.

The shopping center’s tenants have not been finalized.