MCG Foundation Gateway project can finally move forward (Bethlehem: fit in, hotel)

[nortonguy]

The MCG Foundation Gateway project is closer to breaking ground. Concept plans include upscale an grocery store, hotel, restaurants, and conference center across 20 acres.

Augusta finds new site for bus barn | WJBF-TV
The city hopes to break ground on the new bus barn by next spring. The old bus barn site off Walton Way will be part of Augusta’s University’s new gateway redesign once the city relocates its maintenance facility.

[Airforceguy]

This project will be good for the Harrisburg/Medical District. I'm looking forward to see what tenants AU can attract to this project.

[nortonguy]

The prospects have definitely improved. The number employees was always high. Around 25,000 to 30,000. Recently the Canalside was built(106 units). AU's 700 dorms are under construction. The city's redevelopment of Cherry Tree and new the Foundry Place(Laney Walker/Bethlehem) is nearby.

[Airforceguy]

Promised the four-acre Fenwick parcel by the city, the Medical College of Georgia Foundation owns the nearby shopping center that includes a Kroger grocery store and other nearby property on 15th Street. The foundation has plans to develop it as a “gateway” to the area and to Augusta University but has had to wait to acquire the property where the transportation facility sits.
“I think the city is trying their best to see this happen because they want to see progress, they want to see this 15th Street gateway developed,” said Dr. James Osborne, the president and CEO of the foundation.
“We’ve gotten very good cooperation from the city on this but they have to go through their protocol, they have to go through their channels and get everything signed off.”
The foundation had previously hoped to acquire that land so “we’ll just have to work with the city and be patient with the city until they can get that developed out there so they can move the buses,” Osborne said.
The foundation plans would include multiple developments, he said.
“That’s still the goal is to have an upscale shopping center with first-class restaurants and an upgraded grocery store and a hotel,” Osborne said. “And some other retail outlets. That’s where we left it and I think that’s where we want to go.”

Augusta bus barn trade might aid Regency, 15th Street development | The Augusta Chronicle

[nortonguy]

Retail outlets???

[Airforceguy]

Update courtesy of Nortonguy's Whole Augusta blog. The Kroger will be torn down next month.

"It's been very, very hard for the people in the neighborhood since they closed," said Tamera Walker.

Walker counts herself lucky . She can drive to the North Augusta Kroger. She sees people every day who can't.

"So many elderly people in the neighborhood who will ride their wheel chairs or catch the bus right there and it was more convenient," said Walker.

A month after closing The MCG Foundation CEO and President says they don't know when a grocery store will move in, but there has been interest.

"We have some that are ready to start building today. They obviously see a need. So they are interested in building today," said CEO Ian Mercier.

Mercier says there's no timeline and no firm plans on which grocery store will set up shop.

"I don't want to name who they are just now. But its a matter of aligning the plans of the store and what type of store they want to build and how that fits in with the development.," said Mercier.


Once they pick, the building process can take a year or more.

"Last thing we want to do is build a store here and two or three years later they say we can't afford to stay open and they vacate," said Mercier.

MCG Foundation choosing from interested stores to replace 15th St. Kroger

[therealpattman]

Originally Posted by Airforceguy

Update courtesy of Nortonguy's Whole Augusta blog. The Kroger will be torn down next month.


MCG Foundation choosing from interested stores to replace 15th St. Kroger

I wish they would create a community town center type development along with the new store. Instead of it being off 15th street, make it blend better with the area as if it were its own small town.

[AUGnative]

Hopefully there will be a grocery store included to replace the Kroger. An Aldi or Walmart neighborhood market would fit in well ther

[amlovingit]

The Courtesy motel on 15th street is being demolished. More than likely connected to the Gateway project.