Former Georgia Mall Revived by Pickleball

Macon-Bibb County is converting the largely defunct commercial center into a civic complex with county offices and recreation facilities.

1 minute read

March 6, 2024, 6:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Macon Mall sign outside of low-rise building in Macon, Georgia.

MikeKalasnik, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons / Macon Mall, Macon, Georgia

A defunct mall in Macon, Georgia will get a new life as a civic center complete with government offices and an outdoor amphitheater, reports Nate Berg in Fast Company.

The mall’s owner donated most of the property to the county in exchange for a tax write-off. “In exchange for an estimated $70 million in property tax credits, Hull Property Group would donate the excess land it had since demolishing much of the mall, as well as about a third of the mall building that remained.” 

Now, the county is transforming the space. A two-story sports complex with pickleball courts —potentially the world’s largest indoor pickleball facility — has already been built. “Some local government departments and offices have already moved into the mall, and the others will have relocated by the end of April.” 

As Berg explains, former malls are often redeveloped by private entities. “Taking mall properties into their own hands, cities can be a bit more expansive in their thinking than private developers about what new shape the buildings can take.”

Thursday, February 29, 2024 in Fast Company

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3, 2025 - Governing

White park shuttles with large Zion logo on side and red rock cliffs in background in Zion National Park.

Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”

Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.

6 hours ago - Reasons to Be Cheerful

Chart of federal transportation funding comparing Biden and Trump administration spending.

Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden

Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.

7 hours ago - Transportation for America

Close-up on yellow and black TAXI sign on top of beige car in central Munich, Germany.

German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence

Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.

July 15 - Bloomberg