37.5 million on Inner City Augusta redevelopment (Bethlehem: appointed, neighborhood, tax)

[fammaf]

There building the James brown townhomes, single family homes, library, shopping center, judicial center, and tee center on James brown boulevard/9th street. Dyess park which is located on 9th street will be improved also.

Architect envisions a signature park in the Laney Walker neighborhood with a splash pad, covered basketball and tennis courts, and green space

Architect Robert Mauldin has advanced a $10 million plan to turn Dyess Park into a central attraction for the Laney Walker neighborhood and downtown Augusta.

“One of the key components of the design was to try to create a signature park,” Mauldin told the Augusta Commission at committee meetings on Monday.

http://www.metrospirit.com/Image/20_31/LG_DOWNTOWN_dyess_park.jpg (broken link)

There are major signs of a turnaround in the area. New housing is being developed by Augusta Neighborhood Improvement Corporation (ANIC) across the street. The new judicial center is being built just two blocks away. The Augusta Canal has plans for greenways nearby. And the city has set aside millions from hotel-motel taxes to help rebuild the Laney Walker area.

[jasonman]

Investing in the inner city is a great idea.

[AugustaREGroup]

especially in real estate!

[nortonguy]

9th street James brown boulevard. Should be the catalyst of the Laney Walker area revitilization.

[fammaf]

The sandbar area in East Augusta. Changes are going to be dramatic. Underwood homes being torn down is the gateway. That starts in a couple of months.

[lilmusket]

Originally Posted by fammaf

The sandbar area in East Augusta. Changes are going to be dramatic. Underwood homes being torn down is the gateway. That starts in a couple of months.

The big question is will they be able to attract higher income professionals to that area... that's the only way its going to be revitalized. You can always put a prettier face on poverty but it still doesn't solve the root problems. For businesses to move into that area.. you have to get higher income folks in there. I'm not so sure those people are going to be attracted to that area, not if they are going to be surrounded by section 8 housing and the welfare class.

[fammaf]

As I said earlier underwood will be tore down. The Augusta/N. Augusta plan has plenty of residential going up in the area.

[nortonguy]

Rode through Bethlehem today for a while. The new houses make a great improvement.

[nortonguy]

Underwood homes is closing in on, being completely boarded up. A mix-income community will take its place. Other residential areas are plan for sandbar ferry too. As Augusta/N. Augusta start on the master plan first phase.


On a side note. MCG new dental school, medical commons, & medical school. The Gilbert manor site near the medical district only has a couple of buildings left. The rest are knocked down.

[judgeme]

MCG and University keep ever expanding.