Downtown Augusta booming 200 new jobs and 17 million in private investment. Thanks ATLANTA developers (Sparta: section 8)

[juicey1]

And we have alot more projects that have started construction or are about to.Two notables one's. Watermark condos opening late 2009 two 10 story condos. Three hilton head hotels. Also a 3 story mix used building. White's building opening in 4 days 80 condos, two resturants, private parking and elevator access.

The Downtown Development Authority of Augusta's tallying of 2007's statistics tells us a story of more business, more jobs, more housing, more money being spent on properties.

Downtown Augusta gained 192 jobs in 2007. If that were all done by one business, we'd have headlines about it. It was a collective effort, though, of the new businesses that started up last year -- we gained 85 and lost 12.

And these stats don't include the DDA's expanded boundaries. It will be interesting to see how the numbers change when Harrisburg is added to the mix.

No, the 13 new housing units, 379 rehab projects and $17 million in private investment was all done within the confines of 15th Street to East Boundary, the river down to Laney-Walker Boulevard.

The DDA's mission isn't to just count all this every year, but to do its best to foster an environment for small business entrepreneurs. Redevelopment is a snowball -- it takes awhile to gather mass and speed as it is rolling down a hill.

When 2007 turns out better than 2006, it seems to me like we're rolling.

2008 will be a great year !

[DisgustaTruth]

Harrisburg is a slum..section 8 housing..crack houses..projects..
The watermark is apparently on hold.. and the hotels you mentioned are just proposals that may or may not be added based on market conditions.. YOu have to remember that the watermark was planned BEFORE the mortgage and economic crisis.. so far.. no substantial work has commenced on the project.. and apparantly the city still has to complete an environmental cleanup of the site. 3 Hilton Head Hotels?? what the heck is that? The developers said they may have a hotel included and Hilton may be the brand.. but none of this is set in stone. The real exciting stuff is happening across the river in South Carolina with a development called Hammonds Ferry.. it's like a riverfront version of Seaside, FL. Augusta's riverfront development will continue to be hindered as long as they have that mound of dirt obstructing what would otherwise be a nice riverfront view.
The one bright spot in downtown Augusta is the renovation of the White's Building.. after 8 years of being on hold.. some Atlanta developers came in and rescued the project. But unfortunately.. the much touted renovation of The Miller Theater has fell through.. it's back on the market.

[DisgustaTruth]

2008 will be a great year??? Are you aware we are in the beginnings of a financial crisis in this country?? Have you heard about the mortgage catastrophe?? Banks are becoming insolvent. Where exactly is the money going to come from to pay for this wish list for Augusta??

[Alansd]

those of us old enough to remember the s&l crisis and other bank failures in the following decade, realize this is not he end of the world. Many folks are still doing well, and real estate is still selling albeit slow. No reason to be doom and gloom about it. The media does that enough for all.

[g-man430]

Should I post links for highrises/developments proposed for downtown Greenville? You think downtown Augusta is growing. You haven't seen anything yet.

[DAP443]

Originally Posted by g-man430

Should I post links for highrises/developments proposed for downtown Greenville? You think downtown Augusta is growing. You haven't seen anything yet.

Intruigue me. I have never been to the Greenville/Spartanburg area, but I have heard nice things about it.

[g-man430]

Originally Posted by DAP443

Intruigue me. I have never been to the Greenville/Spartanburg area, but I have heard nice things about it.

Are you sure you want me to intrigue you? I'm still trying to figure out which city Disgustasucks lives in.

[DAP443]

Originally Posted by g-man430

Are you sure you want me to intrigue you? I'm still trying to figure out which city Disgustasucks lives in.

LOL, yes please.

[GeorgiaTransplant]

Originally Posted by g-man430

Are you sure you want me to intrigue you? I'm still trying to figure out which city Disgustasucks lives in.

I'm guessing not Augusta.