A Second Master Plan? (Atlanta, Gordon: renters, houses, neighborhoods)

[Hot_Mike]

"About 100 people – many of them elected officials and department heads – attended a forum at Augusta State University’s Christenberry Field House. Among the sentiments expressed: the corridor roadways are ugly; the bus system leaves much to be desired; landlords and renters are dragging down neighborhoods; and Augusta is missing out on opportunities to capitalize off its riverfront and the legacy of James Brown."

"In the Economic Development group, Tom Swift, of the Forest Hills neighborhood, made a suggestion that had a lot of heads nodding: raze the levee. The idea came up last year in a public input session on the downtown plan, which wound up including a break in the levee but not eliminating it."

I think a second large movie theatre should be landed in Augusta. But I do agree with razing the levees theyre useless. Other ideas floated:

Create a major medical complex at Regency Mall

Build a James Brown attraction similar to Graceland in Memphis, Tenn.

Promote Augusta’s reputation as a college town

Widen Wrightsboro Road from Augusta Mall westward

Clear litter and overgrown vegetation from corridor highways

Have gateway entrances looking as nice as they do in North Augusta

Build a light passenger rail to Atlanta and Columbia, S.C.

Make Augusta’s transit system more user-friendly

Turn unused railroad tracks into hiking/biking/jogging trails

Pass an ordinance to make absentee landlords more accountable

Demolish houses that can’t be saved

[Hot_Mike]

Public floats ideas for master plan 082009 - The Augusta Chronicle

[MantaRay]

I say raze the levee from Gordon Hwy to E Boundary only. Keep the two-level riverwalk.

I think a mixed-use development for the Regency site would be much better than a medical complex.

I like the idea of the bike trails. Part of that needs to be connection across the river to the North Augusta Greeneway.

[joeyrun]

Isn't it easy to keep the only main entrance into your city nice? The only gateway in North Augusta is 13th street downtown.

People expressed some great ideas, but my favorite...

Build a light passenger rail to Atlanta and Columbia, S.C.

Turn unused railroad tracks into hiking/biking/jogging trails

[Hot_Mike]

Create a major medical complex at Regency Mall........sounds like jobs.

Promote Augusta’s reputation as a college town.......sounds easy ans cheap.

Build a James Brown attraction similar to Graceland in Memphis, Tenn..........doesnt sound original

[lilmusket]

Light rail is a trolley. You would need heavy high speed rail between Augusta and Atlanta.