Augusta, GA is becoming a huge city. I was shock as a native atlantan. Perfect time to get out of ATL (jobs)

[CaptainAwesome]

Augusta has improved significantly since I got here less than 2 years ago. Something is still holding it back, it might be the leadership or government but that seems to be changing.

There are more and more citizens doing work to improve the city. If that keeps up, I think it's future will be bright. I just hope that it comes a bit quicker. Still, it's fun to be in a city that's getting nicer instead of one that's getting crappier.

[truemann]

I just move to augusta from orlando, florida about 5 years ago. And I have seen alot of improvements in those five years. The downtown area is really coming together with new projects. Not to mention all the construction work happening on the interstates. Along with the new stores at augusta mall. Only stores usually found in atlanta. We just got stores not even in grenville, charleston, columbia, or savvannah.

[uniread]

Hello everybody,

My family and I are moving to augusta from atlanta. From marietta to be exact and we need some help. What are some of the good schools in the area? And where are the nicer suburbs located? We have only really driven through augusta and visited about 2 times. We don't know a whole lot about the city. But we were pleased with what we saw while there. Is there a particular area somewhere in augusta. That people from atlanta live in when they moved to the city. Thanks in advance!

[fammaf]

The nicer suburbs that are close to augusta: North augusta, aiken, hephzibah, evans, martinez, and grovetown. Thomson, lincolton, and mccormick are nicer just further away.

[motonenterprises]

Originally Posted by truemann

I just move to augusta from orlando, florida about 5 years ago. And I have seen alot of improvements in those five years. The downtown area is really coming together with new projects. Not to mention all the construction work happening on the interstates. Along with the new stores at augusta mall. Only stores usually found in atlanta. We just got stores not even in grenville, charleston, columbia, or savvannah.

Like what? Greenville kills Augusta when it comes to stores and other amenities. Things like Whole Foods, Costco, big name hotels, arena, major developments, etc. You might want to research Greenville as I'm familiar with both cities. Right now Augusta can't touch Greenville.

[motonenterprises]

Also forgot largest convention center in southeast with the Carolina First Center. I can go on and on.

[g-man430]

Originally Posted by truemann

I just move to augusta from orlando, florida about 5 years ago. And I have seen alot of improvements in those five years. The downtown area is really coming together with new projects. Not to mention all the construction work happening on the interstates. Along with the new stores at augusta mall. Only stores usually found in atlanta. We just got stores not even in grenville, charleston, columbia, or savvannah.

Next time do some research before you make stupid comments like that. Does Augusta have Whole Foods Market like Greenville? Does Augusta have Saks Fifth Avenue like Charleston? Does Augusta have Ruth's Chris like Columbia?

[motonenterprises]

Originally Posted by g-man430

Next time do some research before you make stupid comments like that. Does Augusta have Whole Foods Market like Greenville? Does Augusta have Saks Fifth Avenue like Charleston? Does Augusta have Ruth's Chris like Columbia?

I agree. Do I need to make a list and show you just what Augusta is missing? Are you kidding me?

[harrat]

Originally Posted by PJA

Projects in Downtown Augusta

BID (Business Improvement District) - Downtown Business owners approved a Business Improvement District in June with a self imposed tax, and launched their first project (CADI) Clean Augusta Downtown Initiative complete with ambassadors on segways and bicycles and patrols.

Cleaning, safety crews get welcome downtown 032108 - The Augusta Chronicle
Economic Development 020408 - The Augusta Chronicle
Deal to clean up, patrol downtown 020108 - The Augusta Chronicle
Augusta CADI Kickoff Held Wednesday - News - Augusta, GA
Cadi group to clean up downtown Augusta

TEE Center - Commissioners approved a proposed multimillion-dollar trade, exhibit and event center
The TEE center will go on a site adjacent to the city-owned convention center and the Augusta Marriott Hotel & Suites on Reynolds Street. The vote also approved a 50-year operating agreement with Augusta Riverfront LLC to cover $350,000 in annual capital and operational costs.
City Administrator Fred Russell said the next step is hammering out a formal contract between the city and Augusta Riverfront, though he said he's not sure how long that will take.
It likely will be 2010 before the city sees a building, said Barry White, the president of the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau. It will take about a year to design the center and two to build it.


The Watermark- This condo development will include 182 condos, one or two hotels, a renovation of the old train depot into retail and some office use.

Condo backers have no worries 062506 - The Augusta Chronicle
http://www.myaugustadowntown.com/ima...do_project.pdf
Watermark might include Hilton 110307 - The Augusta Chronicle



Construction on the New Augusta Heaquarters Library to begin soon (demolition of old buildings has already started.)

http://www.ecgrl.org/hq_building.htm

The Old JB Whites Building is being renovated into condos and first floor retail. In early April, a restaurant, coffee shop and professional offices will throw open their doors on the ground floor. Residents will begin moving nto the 17 condominium units on the third floor. The commercial floor will include the Downtown Development Authority, a sheriff's substation, a Meybohm Realtors sales office and a tax-preparation office. Developers are also negotiating with a tenant who would open a European-style market with fresh produce and some groceries in the adjacent Doris Building. All condominium units on the second and third floors should be completed by August. The building will have 51 condominiums. A connected building on Ellis Street also will be redeveloped. When finished, it will hold another 30 condos.

Metro Spirit, Augusta, Georgia
The White's Building
White's Building confirms tenants 021208 - The Augusta Chronicle


Ground has broken on The Enclave, a new townhome development located on James Brown Boulevard.

Growth in Downtown Augusta

Cafe 209 recently opened a second business called the 209 Music Lounge opened recently; features include live music great cocktails and food.

The new Judicial Center has a location picked now, the corner of James Brown Boulevard and Walton Way, set to be completed by 2010.

The 10th Street project from Broad to Ellis Street is now under construction

The project will completely revamp one half of 10th Street, making it more inviting for visitors. It will feature new antique-style street lamps, newly poured sidewalks and five new trees. The intersection will also feature a kiosk with a map of downtown and an explanation of the streetscape concept. Construction should be done in 1 to 3 months.

Kroc Center under construction: Joan Kroc ,Ray Kroc's late vision will be carried on. Augusta was picked as one of the locations of several Kroc Centers being developed accross the country in conjuction with the Salvation Army. The facility will include a 600-seat theater and fine arts classrooms; a 350-seat chapel; adult education and computer lab space; indoor and outdoor recreational space to be joined in by the Boys and Girls Club; and an "enterprise park" for skills training that will include teen and adult learning opportunities and even retail and banquet space.
A center of activity 050207 - The Augusta Chronicle
USA Southern Territory : Ministries: Kroc Center


R.W. Allen and Assocaites moves it's headquarters to an upscale downtown location.

Downtown goes upscale 010608 - The Augusta Chronicle


Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History begins expansion.

Museum plans for expansion 020308 - The Augusta Chronicle



New Hotel - Moderator cut: link to competitors forums removednew hotel, condo and retail development could come downtown. A national developer wants to build a hotel at the intersection of Ninth and Reynolds street that would extend the the corner of Broad Street. It would include condos and street level retail as well as a parking garage. It would be aproximately 6 to 7 stories high. Currently and old police station and some warehouses are sitting there. A public hearing will be held next week to discuss demolishing the old buildings. (was recently approved by commission)

Hotel developer eyes old spaces 032208 - The Augusta Chronicle
Details emerge on hotel rooms 032708 - The Augusta Chronicle

A new tour boat is has come downtown called The Patriot. It recently started running and goes from downtown to Lock and Dam. We haven't had a tour boat on the river since the Princess Augusta stopped running. This is in addition to the Augusta Canal Boat Tours that have been up and running for some time.

The owners of The Soul Bar open up a second establishment called Sky City. This establishment is bigger than their first one and can accomodate bigger bands.

The old Sibley Mill will be converted into a mixed use development of office space and housing.

Sibley Mill's history was lure for redeveloper to make a new future 041208 - The Augusta Chronicle

There are talks to move the Greenjackets Stadium downtown on the river.

Bring Baseball Downtown - Augusta, GA
Mayor says downtown ballpark would benefit city 3/13/2008 - The Augusta Chronicle
Copenhaver to reveal stadium project study 031308 - The Augusta Chronicle


The Downtown Development Authority Website

Downtown Development Authority of Augusta, Georgia


There are several other projects that are going on or have gone on recently.

Let some people on here keep talking. They haven't been to augusta never in their life. Or in 15 or 20 years. The next 3 years will speak for theirselves. Watch augusta's poplulation by 2010, 2012.

[barii]

Originally Posted by cyclingintheson

Disgusta you are talking about one block right. There are at least five restaurants on the block I work on alone. I see allot more downtown than you given the fat that you live in Atlanta. Downtown is more alive now than it was five years ago when I left for college. Get a life.

Is that where disgusta is from atlanta. I thought it was probably athens because he always brings it up. Or maybe greenville. Either way we know he's not in augusta.