Downtown and inner-city Augusta going to another level II (Savannah: casino, transportation)

[Airforceguy]

Several downtown projects that could cost up to 80 million dollars are moving forward.

"It's kinda building it from the ground up and getting rid of the old," Cassell said.

Hiding underneath downtown streets, originally built for horses and buggies are 100 year old brick roads, and a stormwater system even older than that.

"It needs to be salvaged and built up, and propped up," Cassell said.

The projects span from Washington Road down Broad Street to Sand Bar Ferry Road. Another project will fix up Greene Street through downtown and the expanse of most of Telfair street, which means there could be a lot of traffic delays during construction.

"I have yet to see the zero impact construction project and it's going to impact different folks in different ways," Cassell said.

Improvements to the streets in downtown Augusta, like on Greene Street, aren't going to happen overnight, from start to finish it could take up to a decade.

New sidewalks, roads, bike lanes, everything is on the table. It will be up to you to voice your opinion on the projects starting this month.

"It is going to be a long process and it may even be fatigued for some folks, but we need to look at where we are going to be," Cassell said.

As Cassell transitions into a new position in Columbia County, he will have to hand the reigns over, but he says Augusta is in good hands.

"It's not going to be as bad as what people may think," Cassell said.

Downtown Augusta road projects could take a decade to complete

[Airforceguy]

Fruitland Augusta is looking at putting a distillery in Downtown Augusta...

Fruitland Augusta, the maker of Georgia Peach Vodka and Geor*gia Peach Tea, wants to put a distillery in Augusta – downtown, preferably.
Instead of producing the Prosper Berckmans-inspired line of spirits in Florida, Fruitland’s Yuri Kato said she wants it made here. “That’s the best way to let visitors know about Mr. Berckmans’ legacy,” she said.
Kato is scouting real estate and working on clearing the government’s not-so-friendly alcohol regulations. Cheers to that.

Scuttlebiz: Water woes trickle into wave of business problems | The Augusta Chronicle

[Airforceguy]

WJBF News Channel 6’s Stefany Bornman reports on the 5th Street Bridge that was shut down to car traffic for safety concerns.

South Carolina Department of Transportation closed part of the bridge when it stopped meeting the state’s standards. Now it’s starting to fall apart and although there are no plans to demolish it, some people WJBF News Channel 6 spoke with say maybe it’s time to think about another solution to the eyesore.At one time this bridge was the center of history, now it’s a reminder of different times.

“People forget the fact that Broad Street at 5th Street, 5th Street was actually Center Street, which was the middle of Augusta Georgia and all the businesses started at 5th Street,” business owner Steven Fishman told WJBF News Channel 6.

Since the mid-90’s, this northern part of the 5th Street Bridge in North Augusta has been closed. Since then, it hasn’t been repaired or maintained. Now some Downtown Augusta business owners think it might be a good idea to re-purpose the abandoned bridge.

“I think it would after a while bring more people, more walking traffic,” said business owner Bill Prince.

“We’re now looking at bicycling a lot and walking bridges and things like that. It’s very possible that it might be used as an alternative.” Fishman said.

Turning the bridge into a tourist attraction would not only benefit both the Downtown Augusta and North Augusta atmosphere, but also nearby businesses.

Business Owners Say 5th Street Bridge Renovations Could Increase Business Downtown | WJBF-TV

[nortonguy]

Come visit for a day trip or weekend trip.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP0_wQPYiqs#t=75

[Airforceguy]

A regional chain of women’s boutiques will test the Augusta market next month with a “pop-up” store on Broad Street.
Charleston, S.C.-based Affordables Apparel plans to open the temporary store in 1,000-square-feet of space inside 600 Broad Street, the former Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce office situated in the center median, during the weekend of March 4-5.
The retailer, which specializes in women’s fashions and accessories such as shoes, jewelry and scarves, will occupy the section of the building’s first floor not being used by its current tenant, the Greater Augusta Arts Council-affiliated Community Gallery of Augusta.
Affordables Apparel spokeswoman Chrissy Raines said the eight-store chain, which opened a store last summer in downtown Aiken, will operate the pop-up in the same manner as its full-service locations. The main difference will be a smaller floorplan and requirement that any merchandise returns be handled at the Aiken store.

Affordables Apparel women's boutique to test Augusta market with pop-up store | The Augusta Chronicle

[angedelune]

what is going into the lower level of the building beside 1102. the one with the new apartments above it?

[Airforceguy]

Hopefully some good can come of this trip to Columbia,SC..

Commissioners Ben Hasan and Dennis Williams, downtown property owners, and the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau took a look at some of the success Columbia has seen to bring people into their downtown. Now big plans could be on their way to Augusta.

Jackson says Augusta could do a lot of what Columbia has done. Instead of building new and spreading the city out, development could be focused in the city's core. Capitalizing on the riverfront is also something she says is an advantage. Taking old office buildings and turning them into apartments and condo's could also help. She says Augusta is headed in the right direction, but that it could move a lot faster.

"Columbia has done a marvelous job, in fact when i got there and took a look at what they have going on I was jealous," Jackson said.

Jackson says it is key that the city work with private partners to bring development into downtown.She says once a Publix grocery store moved into an old warehouse in Columbia's downtown, a lot more housing popped up. nearby.

The city will be holding a day long downtown summit at the beginning of March. They hope that brings private developers and city officials together.

Augusta leaders look at downtown Columbia for downtown development ideas

[amlovingit]

Really they need to think bigger than Columbia

[All In for Augusta]

Exactly

[Airforceguy]

I see Planned Parenthood is closing their location on Broad Street. This could be an excellent opportunity for this building to be redeveloped. IMO a business like Planned Parenthood shouldn't have been on Broad St. anyway.

Planned Parenthood Southeast is no longer providing health care at the Augusta Health Center, 1289 Broad Street, it announced Saturday.
According to a news release, the operation was closed by the agency’s “commitment to fiscally responsible decisions which ensure high quality patient care.”
“In the shifting health care landscape both locally and nationally,” the statement said, “Planned Parenthood must constantly assess operational efficiency and identify how to remain strong, serving as many patients as possible over both the short and the long term. As a result, Planned Parenthood Southeast is redirecting resources to other communities within the established service area.”
The Broad Street office is normally closed on weekends, but there was no signs its doors Saturday afternoon indicating a change in status.
Any patients wishing to receive a copy of their medical record should contact Planned Parenthood staff at (404) 688-9300 to request the appropriate form, the news release said. It also offered a list of other family planning providers in the areas.

Augusta Planned Parenthood no longer providing health care | The Augusta Chronicle