Wayne Roland plans to unlock some fun in east Macon by creating Lakeview Park. It's a place complete with a pool, handball courts, and space to let loose.
He says, "The simple thing to do is just replace neglect with attention, that's all. You don't have to do everything at once but a little but at a time and that's what we're doing."
It used to be the site of Ragan Park, but after that business closed up shop, the space sat empty until Rowland bought the spot on Masseyville Road just over a year ago.
Macon city council member Elaine Lucas says, "You did still have some decays, some deteriorations of properties. The lake didn't look as good. The pier going out was falling in."
Using all private funding, Rowland is trimming up the rough edges and adding in a splash of fun.
"We're just moving all that ugly overgrowth and brush and just making it a very pretty civic jewel that it once was," he says.
Rowland says most of the amenities will be for people living in the Lakeview Apartments, but he plans to host several community-wide events and rent the space for special gatherings.
Some Macon city council members want to help polish off the projects.
Council president James Timley says, "At some point I think we should have had some tax incentive or something, but I think this is a great improvement."
Lucas also wants to lend a hand. She says, "We could look into community development funds as a way of assisting with some things. I think the city could assist possibly with some grants."
They want this construction project to open doors for more growth and showcase all that east Macon has to offer.