Dismal Downtowns (Atlanta, Savannah, Warner Robins: homes, income, living in)

[lilmusket]

Which Georgia cities and towns have dismal looking downtowns? You know, lots of boarded up storefronts, empty sidewalks and streets and just basically a lack of vitality. And what can realistically be done to change them into vibrant downtowns once again?

[gaflsc]

you first....

[Augustabuckeye]

Not sure about other cities but Augusta has a number of boarded up store fronts.

Everytime we seem to get a little traction...Back we go...Need to find a way to get more retail downtown, which will help more people come downtown, which will mean some people will want to live downtown, which will bring in more retail...and that's said by one of the people living in downtown Augusta...

[LovinDecatur]

Most south GA towns that I have driven through have a lack of 'energy' in their downtown areas. I would blame generally depressed economies and the presence of Wal-Mart for it.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by Augustabuckeye

Not sure about other cities but Augusta has a number of boarded up store fronts.

Everytime we seem to get a little traction...Back we go...Need to find a way to get more retail downtown, which will help more people come downtown, which will mean some people will want to live downtown, which will bring in more retail...and that's said by one of the people living in downtown Augusta...

I think developing the riverfront is key to the resurgence of Augusta's downtown...if this happened, I think Atlanta residents would flock there. This is some movement in that direction, I think?

[lilmusket]

Originally Posted by Augustabuckeye

Not sure about other cities but Augusta has a number of boarded up store fronts.

Everytime we seem to get a little traction...Back we go...Need to find a way to get more retail downtown, which will help more people come downtown, which will mean some people will want to live downtown, which will bring in more retail...and that's said by one of the people living in downtown Augusta...

This is true.. alot of great places have closed in the last few years. Dtimms, Hale Tiki, Modjeska... but then a few new places have opened too. I am always amazed at how many people are willing to come downtown for a First Friday, but then don't return for the other nights during the month. I think the key is to get more higher income residents in downtown. You have to have a residential base to support restaurants and retail.

[lilmusket]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

I think developing the riverfront is key to the resurgence of Augusta's downtown...if this happened, I think Atlanta residents would flock there. This is some movement in that direction, I think?

Didn't they do this already with The Riverwalk??
I think the obstacle is the levee... if it was removed in the downtown portion then Augusta could have a riverfront more like River ST in Savannah.

[thedudewiththeplan]

I nominate Peachtree City. It does not even have a downtown! (or homes and buisinesses over 50 years old for that matter).

[lilmusket]

Originally Posted by thedudewiththeplan

I nominate Peachtree City. It does not even have a downtown! (or homes and buisinesses over 50 years old for that matter).

Same for Warner Robins... No Downtown at all from what I can tell. I drove around looking for it and never found anything that approximated a downtown.
Peachtree City is basically a suburb..like Evans

[thedudewiththeplan]

True, but at least Evans has a few homes that have some historical value to them. Granted, I would still not live in either place!