Mercer Breaks Ground on New Downtown Macon Medical School

Macon-Bibb County, GA – On Friday, November 7, 2025, Mercer University joined Macon-Bibb County officials and community partners for a ceremonial groundbreaking that marks the start of a major downtown redevelopment. The centerpiece of the project is Mercer’s new 150,000-square-foot School of Medicine building, which will include residential lofts, retail space, offices, and parking, transforming Riverside Drive into a vibrant gateway into the city.

The new facility, designed by McMillan Pazdan Smith and built by Sheridan Construction, will feature two wings, rooftop terraces, and one of the tallest profiles in Macon. The $80 million medical school will support Mercer’s expanding medical programs and strengthen physician training for rural and underserved communities across Georgia.

“This project is about making an impact and creating a space that truly pops for our city,” said Mayor Lester Miller. “It’s part of a whole process, and it took a lot of people working together to make this happen.”

Mercer President William D. Underwood highlighted the building’s importance in reinforcing Macon as a hub for education and community growth. “It’s going to sit right over here and provide a beautiful gateway into downtown Macon. The development around it will confirm that this is a city really on the move,” he said.

Since opening in 1982, Mercer’s School of Medicine has more than doubled its Macon M.D. enrollment, now serving 240 medical students, along with master’s and Ph.D. students for a total of 322. The new building will provide state-of-the-art technology and resources needed to support this growing student population.

“The transformative research and educational excellence that will occur here will provide physicians not only for Macon and Middle Georgia but for rural, underserved areas across the state,” said School of Medicine Dean Jean R. Sumner, M.D., MACP.

The development is part of a broader vision that includes a new convention center, hotel, and trailhead connecting to the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail. Combined, these investments are expected to total nearly $400 million, making it one of the most significant revitalization efforts in Macon-Bibb County’s history.

The Mercer School of Medicine building is slated for completion by fall 2028, setting the stage for a new era of growth and opportunity in downtown Macon.