Macon, Georgia
Client: Mercer University
Size: 3.5 acres
Status: Completed 2024
Awards: 2025 Honor Award, Georgia ASLA
Collaborators: N/A
From vehicular divide to
student-centered spine.
Continuing its long-standing partnership with Mercer University, HGOR transformed a portion of College Street that once divided the Macon campus into a vibrant pedestrian promenade and greenspace. The project removed an existing roadway and parking lot that separated student housing, academic buildings, and campus amenities, replacing them with a walkable landscape that strengthens connectivity and campus life. By extending Mercer’s primary pedestrian spine and integrating stormwater infrastructure, shaded seating, and flexible gathering spaces, the design reconnects key destinations while prioritizing safety, accessibility, and environmental stewardship.
Completed in summer 2024, the project immediately enhanced daily life for Mercer’s Macon campus community of approximately 4,800 students. The new promenade not only improves pedestrian infrastructure but also introduces much-needed gathering and recreational space—achieving these improvements while avoiding costly exterior renovations to surrounding buildings.
Reclaiming a Divided Campus Corridor
Previously, College Street functioned as a vehicular corridor that physically separated major student and academic facilities. HGOR’s design removed the road and adjacent parking areas, replacing them with a pedestrian-focused landscape that reconnects student housing, academic buildings, and campus destinations including Cruz Plaza, Legacy Hall, Wiggs Hall, and the Connell Student Center. The new open space establishes a continuous campus environment where students can move safely and comfortably between key facilities.
Extending Mercer’s Pedestrian Spine
A new promenade links directly with a previously constructed walkway connecting the Godsey Science Center and Tarver Library, reinforcing Mercer’s primary pedestrian circulation route. This extension strengthens campus connectivity and significantly reduces vehicular interference, allowing students to move efficiently through the campus core while improving overall safety.
Balancing Access, Operations,
& Safety
Maintaining the operational needs of the Connell Student Center was a key project requirement. HGOR designed a dual-purpose brick promenade that accommodates both pedestrian activity and necessary delivery access. A controlled-access gate restricts vehicles during peak pedestrian hours, ensuring the space remains safe and pedestrian-oriented while preserving essential campus operations.
Environmental Design & Stormwater Management
Bioretention swales run along the promenade to capture and treat stormwater, while strategically placed retaining walls preserve existing trees and create shaded seating areas for students. These landscape elements improve the ecological performance of the site while enhancing comfort and usability.
Accessibility & Grade Transitions
Significant grade changes across the site required careful design to maintain ADA accessibility throughout the promenade. HGOR balanced grading, pathways, and gathering areas to ensure equal access across the space while preserving the character of the landscape and protecting existing tree canopy.
