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(Macon, GA) –Developers interested in purchasing Alexander IV Elementary School for rehabilitation and development can submit proposals to Historic Macon Foundation. Proposals are due by noon on October 28, 2016.

Alexander IV Elementary School (Alex IV) is located at 3769 Ridge Avenue in the Ingleside neighborhood of Macon, Georgia. Ingleside was signed into the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district earlier this year. Contributing properties, including Alex IV, located within the bounds of Ingleside Historic District are now eligible for state and federal preservation tax incentives.

Built in 1932, Alex IV was the fourth school built by the Elam Alexander Trust. Elam Alexander believed strongly in the need of free, quality education for Maconites. The architecture of the building resembles finishes and features akin to an Alpine Mountain Village. The building expanded in 1948 to include more classrooms, storage space and a lunchroom. Alex IV was listed on Macon’s Fading Five, a list of endangered properties published by Historic Macon annually, in 2015 due to its significance as a center of the Ingleside community and its stunning architecture.

The school board closed its doors to students in 2008.  Today, the building sits vacant. In March 2016, the Bibb County Board of Education approved the sale of Alex IV to the Macon-Bibb County Land Bank Authority (LBA). With the support and leadership of Commissioner Mallory Jones, the Macon Bibb County Commission unanimously approved using funds from the blight bond to acquire the school building. The LBA is working with Historic Macon and a review committee comprised of neighbors to find a qualified developer with a solid reuse plan for the iconic building.  The review committee will make a recommendation to the LBA.

The property consists of the 27,909 square foot building and 5.73 acres in the heart of the vibrant Ingleside neighborhood.

Historic Macon is seeking a developer for Alex IV who has a vision and the qualifications to redevelop the property that blends well with the surrounding residential neighborhood; the ability to complete the project within a mutually agreeable time frame; and the financial resources to successfully complete the project.

The winning proposal will be sensitive to the neighborhood, the building’s preservation, and compliance with local zoning laws. Historic Macon held a public meeting on April 11, 2016 with over 100 neighbors and community members in attendance. Attendees gave input regarding future uses for the building. These comments have been included in a RFP, which includes all other requirements.

Interested developers should submit complete proposals to Historic Macon’s Executive Director, Ethiel Garlington, by email to egarlington@historicmacon.org. Proposals must contain the following:

  • Developer Qualifications
  • Rehabilitation and Development Concept
  • Financial Capacity (this information will be kept confidential)
  • Proposals must also include the purchase price for the property

Proposals will be evaluated by the specifications listed in the RFP by a review committee of neighborhood representatives, an elected official, and Historic Macon Foundation trustees. The RFP can be downloaded from http://www.historicmacon.org/alex-iv-rfp/.

About Historic Macon Foundation

Founded in 1964, Historic Macon Foundation is a nonprofit organization that revitalizes Macon by preserving architecture and sharing history. For over 50 years, Historic Macon has been engaged in community revitalization efforts and has led the nation in innovative tactics for historic preservation. For more information or to become a member, visit www.historicmacon.org or call 478-742-5084.

Contact: Ethiel Garlington

Telephone: 478-742-5084

Email: egarlington@historicmacon.org

 

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