Augusta CVB and Greater Augusta Arts Council working on action plan (White: neighborhoods, live)

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This is an action plan, or more specifically a destination development action plan. The Augusta CVB spent the last year looking over more than 70 projects in old plans like from Augusta Tomorrow and Westobou, and prioritized the ideas to make them happen.

"Some of the plans will maybe be bigger and take longer to execute but we're also looking at things we can go ahead and move forward with," White said.

Barry White and the CVB are focusing on tourism, things like bike trails and paths. But this plan ties in with two others, one event centered with Parks and Recreation, another with the Greater Augusta Arts Council.

"The master plan does not come up with themes, it comes up with spaces and ideas for us and a map forward," Brenda Durant with the Greater Augusta Arts Council said.


Augusta is the canvas, ready to be filled with art reflecting the different communities. The Arts Council is already working on this. They're putting one million SPLOST dollars to gateway beautification projects.

"Our first grant includes going to neighborhood meetings and creating neighborhood themes," Durant said.

They've seen success in themed art projects before.

"Just those little traffic boxes, that little project made people so happy," she said.

These plans are a bit bigger.

"But what we are looking for are examples of public art, kinetic sculptures, ways of decorating buildings and street-scape that would reflect us," Durant said.

All of those plans are supposed to be themed on the different Augusta neighborhoods. Creating ways to celebrate Augusta for those who live here, while making a lasting impression on visitors.

"We think it's going to be beneficial for all of the people who visit, and all of the people who live here," White said.

The CVB wants to focus their projects towards the different kinds of visitors they get here. From people visiting family to those here on business. The company Conventions Sports and Leisure is putting together all three of these plans. They are supposed to all work together harmoniously. The plans should be complete by the beginning of next year and ready to be revealed to the public by February.

Augusta CVB and Greater Augusta Arts Council working on action plan