Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1389428
13 "We've created a place where people want to be," he said. "The energy downtown is tremendous, even during a pandemic." Thanks to the commitment of its presidents, Mercer continues to be involved in the growth of downtown. "The more vibrant and exciting a place Macon is, the better it is for our university," Underwood said. "Creative and talented young people are what's required for the university to be successful. The better a place Macon is, the easier it is to attract students and talented faculty. The more of those we attract, the better a place Macon is; it's a symbiotic relationship." Both Underwood and Godsey cited one of those talented young people as Josh Rogers, a Mercer graduate and now president and CEO of NewTown Macon, whose own vision for the organization keeps pushing it forward. "It took NewTown nearly 25 years to drive downtown revitalization to the tipping point. Today, I think we are at the point where downtown is unstoppable," Rogers said. "Over the next 25 years, downtown Macon will become one of the South's premier city experiences." With the knowledge and experience that comes from watching downtown's progress unfold for 25 years, Godsey agreed with Rogers' sentiments. "Macon is a livable, walkable, enjoyable community that has breadths of resources in higher education, the gift of geography and a vibrant creative arts scene. There's so much intellectual, cultural and historical talent here," he said. "I see a downtown today that is coming into full bloom. Downtown today is wonderful; 20 years ago, it was unthinkable. Instead of a place of blight and decay, it has become a center of vitality." "Twenty-five years from now we'll have one of the best downtowns in the Southeast," added Underwood. "When people are talking about post-industrial renaissance in Southern cities, they'll talk about Macon, Georgia." 'Over the next 25 years, downtown Macon will become one of the South's premier city experiences.' — Josh Rogers THE MAC PARTY INTRODUCES AREA COLLEGE STUDENTS TO DOWNTOWN MACON WITH A CELEBRATION.