World-class attraction, ‘glamping’ proposed for Lake Tobesofkee

Lake Tobesofkee could become a profitable tourist attraction with a more than $23 million unsolicited proposal offered to Macon-Bibb County to transform amenities at the 1,800-acre lake.

Lovejoy Capital, led by a descendant of one of the most politically powerful families in Georgia history, wants to build a “luxurious and immersive experience in nature” with exotic “glamping.” Imagine tent pods up in the trees, birdhouse-like structures, environmentally-friendly accommodations on the ground, a comprehensive network of trails with elevated canopies, suspension bridges, inclusive playgrounds, a general store, new food and beverage locations and an intricate maze by an internationally-acclaimed designer of more than 700 major attractions in 42 countries. 

Under the expansive public-private partnership legislation passed by the Georgia General Assembly in 2015, W. Murphy Talmadge, grandson of the late Georgia governor and U.S. Sen. Herman Talmadge Sr. and great-grandson of the late Georgia Gov. Eugene Talmadge, recently submitted an unsolicited proposal to Macon-Bibb County’s procurement office. 

A qualifying project under the Partnership for Public Facilities and Infrastructure Act is broadly defined as “meeting a public purpose or public need.”

After an executive session in the Pre-Commission meeting at City Hall, commissioners agreed to entertain the proposal and post it on the county website, but formal acceptance of the proposal is at least three months away. 

Under Georgia law, the county must seek competing proposals by issuing a Request for Proposals, or RFP, that will be active for 90 days to give other firms an opportunity to bid according to the county’s criteria set for development through the procurement process. 

The county will rank the proposals and attempt an agreement for the top-ranked proposal.

Lovejoy Capital will provide the necessary funding for expenses related to the development plan, but a specific financial breakdown will depend on final land lease terms and agreement with Macon-Bibb County, if approved. 

Caption

Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller took County Commissioners on a tour of Lake Tobesofkee’s Duck Ponds Recreation Area in September of 2022.

Credit: Liz Fabian/Macon Newsroom

In the first year alone, Lovejoy’s preliminary figures show the county would bring in close to a million dollars through more than $700,000 in revenue sharing and nearly a quarter of a million dollars in hotel-motel tax. Also in that first year, the proposal estimates Macon-Bibb will save nearly $4.8 million if Lovejoy picks up the cost of operating and staffing the lake, advertising, professional services, security, maintenance, landscaping, repairs and contributing to the facility’s replacement fund.

The financial projections show the county’s Lake Tobesofkee revenue increasing to nearly $18 million after 30 years. 

Macon-Bibb County employees currently on staff at the lake also could be absorbed into the new entity which wants to implement an advanced booking platform for reservations and intensify marketing efforts to attract a larger pool of visitors.

Lovejoy Capital, presumably named for the company’s Clayton County home, noted that Macon-Bibb County will not be required to provide any direct capital expenses, significant investment or general obligations bonds. 

“This means that Macon-Bibb County will not be obligated to assume the traditional financial risks associated with a project of this magnitude,” stated the proposal. 

New maze to replace water park

Caption

Macon-Bibb County leased land to private operators of the Sandy Beach Water Park, which struggled to stay afloat for eight years and permanently closed in 2023.

Credit: Liz Fabian/Macon Newsroom

One of the signature elements of the Tobesofkee project will be to transform the site of the defunct Sandy Beach Water Park into a year-round attraction featuring a meditation labyrinth designed by Maze Maker Adrian Fisher, a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.  

Fisher’s Marlborough Maze built at Blenheim Palace in the United Kingdom in 1991 is featured on British currency and is credited with boosting visitors at Winston Churchill’s birthplace. 

The Jewel maze in the heart of Singapore’s International Airport covers more than a million square feet on five levels with the world’s largest indoor waterfall. Fisher’s work there is called an architectural marvel that blends nature with urban life. 

Fisher’s firm uses a variety of materials in the designs, including the traditional hedges, mirrors, wood, metal and other elements. The Sandy Beach feature could include a restaurant in the middle of the maze, said Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller. 

Lovejoy also plans to contract with an outdoor adventure construction company to build elevated trails, canopies, zip lines, lawn game locations, and playgrounds for all ages to engage in physical activity.

Existing infrastructure will be improved at Claystone and Arrowhead campgrounds to provide enhanced comfort and amenities. 

Caption

During a 2022 tour of Lake Tobesofkee’s Duck Ponds, Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller pointed to the lake’s big water adjacent to the old fish hatcheries that he called a “valuable asset” and “untapped resource.”

Credit: Liz Fabian/Macon Newsroom

Lovejoy’s proposal includes funds to address deferred maintenance at the parks, pay for the upkeep to prolong the longevity of the grounds and preserve the area’s natural resources including the scenic Duck Ponds where eagles have been sighted. 

In fall of 2022, the mayor led commissioners on a tour of the ponds of the former fish hatchery that he described as an “untapped resource.” At the time, Miller removed about 200 acres of land along Rock Mill Road off the county’s surplus property list to prevent the sale of the county’s access to this “valuable asset.” 

Lovejoy plans to enhance the county’s recreational activities at the lake as it builds the new attractions. 

“We propose investing in improvements to the existing mountain bike trails and offering onsite gear rentals. This will encourage outdoor enthusiasts to explore the natural beauty of Macon, Georgia, while providing them with the necessary equipment for an unforgettable experience,” Talmadge’s introduction to the proposal stated.  

Lovejoy requested 12 months from the signing of an agreement to begin construction, which is estimated to take an additional year. 

At the same time, the community is preparing for the expected approval of Georgia’s first national park at the Ocmulgee Mounds on the east side of the county.

Visit Macon is studying the development of the nation’s newest national parks to learn best preparation practices to accommodate a surge in tourists.

Mayor Miller said this project is perfectly timed.  

“One reason this is important to the national park is that it attracts the same people who want to go to nature,” he said.

— Civic Journalism Senior Fellow Liz Fabian covers Macon-Bibb County government entities and can be reached at fabian_lj@mercer.edu or 478-301-2976. This story comes to GPB through a reporting partnership with The Macon Newsroom.