Columbus makes GEORGIA’S RENAISSANCE CITIES list. (Atlanta, Savannah: real estate, 2013)

[Columbuskidd92]

Georgia Trend magazine has listed Columbus as one of the state’s top eight “Georgia Trend magazine” in its most recent issue.

“These eight downtowns are bustling with shops, restaurants, art and activity,” the headline on the magazine’s website declares.

Columbus is listed alphabetically with Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, Decatur, Hinesville, Roswell, Savannah and Statesboro. The cities are not ranked.

The section of the article describing Columbus mentions the Riverwalk, RiverCenter, National Infantry Museum, the Carson McCullers and Ma Rainey homes, Whitewater, Columbus State University’s downtown presence and of course the renaissance downtown has seen over the past 20-plus years.

“We’re experiencing a renaissance in business growth and quality of life,” Mayor Teresa Tomlinson is quoted as saying. “Columbus has become this outdoorsy, hip place with sophisticated cultural attractions.”

The article also points to Fort Benning, TSYS and Aflac providing jobs and a more stable economy than many cities enjoy.

“Columbus has gone from being a manufacturing and military town to a city that also has an international impact and tourism appeal,” Tomlinson said. “These changes might surprise some people.”

Magazine lists Columbus among state's top 'Renaissance Cities' | Latest News | Columbus Ledger Enquirer

The article...
Georgia’s Renaissance Cities - Georgia Trend

[Columbus1984]

Just another solid reason on how Columbus is separating itself from other similar sized cities. Can't wait to see the future projects that will develop with whitewater.

[Columbuskidd92]

I'm also excited to see what will happen next.

[Columbuskidd92]

[masonbauknight]

Can someone explain to me this complex that Columbus folks have about other Georgia cities? Columbus made the Renaissance Cities, but so did a few others, including Savannah. Augusta (pop. 560,000) and Savannah (355,000) are both larger metro areas than Columbus (301,000). AUG and SAV are also much more attractive and interesting than Columbus. As a GA boy who lives out of state, I can tell you that people know Atlanta and Savannah--period. Far behind those two come Athens, with UGA's growing int'l reputation and then Augusta, with Master's. Way behind Athens and Augusta comes (drum roll) Columbus. I've been reading up on this peeing contest with Savannah, but trust me, ColumbusKidd and 1984, folks in Savannah couldn't care less. With that city's name recognition, tourism, port, and other amenities, they don't have to care.

[WanderingImport]

Originally Posted by masonbauknight

Can someone explain to me this complex that Columbus folks have about other Georgia cities? Columbus made the Renaissance Cities, but so did a few others, including Savannah. Augusta (pop. 560,000) and Savannah (355,000) are both larger metro areas than Columbus (301,000). AUG and SAV are also much more attractive and interesting than Columbus. As a GA boy who lives out of state, I can tell you that people know Atlanta and Savannah--period. Far behind those two come Athens, with UGA's growing int'l reputation and then Augusta, with Master's. Way behind Athens and Augusta comes (drum roll) Columbus. I've been reading up on this peeing contest with Savannah, but trust me, ColumbusKidd and 1984, folks in Savannah couldn't care less. With that city's name recognition, tourism, port, and other amenities, they don't have to care.

Where was Augusta on that list? I only saw Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, Columbus, Savannah, Hinesville, Roswell and Statesboro. Not quite sure why Hinesville and Roswell were on the list.. Their downtowns are nice, but I don't think they'd quite qualify as renaissance worthy.

Also, as a former Savannah resident and (obviously) still current resident of Georgia, I'm happy to see positive downtown revitalization news. For ANY of our cities. Its high time development is concentrated in the right areas and done in smart ways. Not this endless big box and subdivision, car-centric development crap.

[Columbus1984]

Originally Posted by masonbauknight

Can someone explain to me this complex that Columbus folks have about other Georgia cities? Columbus made the Renaissance Cities, but so did a few others, including Savannah. Augusta (pop. 560,000) and Savannah (355,000) are both larger metro areas than Columbus (301,000). AUG and SAV are also much more attractive and interesting than Columbus. As a GA boy who lives out of state, I can tell you that people know Atlanta and Savannah--period. Far behind those two come Athens, with UGA's growing int'l reputation and then Augusta, with Master's. Way behind Athens and Augusta comes (drum roll) Columbus. I've been reading up on this peeing contest with Savannah, but trust me, ColumbusKidd and 1984, folks in Savannah couldn't care less. With that city's name recognition, tourism, port, and other amenities, they don't have to care.

Huh? First off, there is no complex against other cities. Secondly, Augusta did not make that list. Of course Savannah is more interesting than Columbus. It is more intersting than most cities in this country. Augusta....not so much. Their claim to fame lasts one week out of the year. Athens is well known too. I lived there and received 2 degrees from the Terry College of Business (BBA in Real Estate Finance and my MBA). Not sure what you are getting at...

[masonbauknight]

Dear Columbus1984: Apologies for the aggressive tone, but I have been following the "Ga. cities" threads here in the last 2 years, and there seems to be quite a peeing contest among the 2nd-tier cities of AUG, COL, SAV, MAC, and ATH. These happen among Ala. and S.C. cities too, I'm sure. Still, I disagree with the (many) Columbus posters and (occasional) Augusta posters who say that their cities are on the same level of interest and prestige as Savannah. That might have been true in 1966, but in the last, say, 40 years? Nope. I have nothing against Columbus, by the way. It's an attractive city.

[nortonguy]

I didn't really want to get involve, but there's no way Athens is more well known than Augusta. If you go overseas(particularly Asia), Augusta should win over Savannah too.

The Masters tournament maybe one week, but Augusta is definitely more popular than Columbus and Athens.

People from across the united states know about Augusta due to the Medical District, James Brown, and Fort Gordon too.

[masonbauknight]

Norton, you are a hoot! I've lived abroad (now in the Northeast). Savannah articles appear in major newspapers regularly, in both places. Unless you are (1) seriously into golf or (2) filling out your application for medical school (Medical College of GA is good), AUG is seriously "off the radar." Savannah? Very much ON the radar.

Someone I struck up a conversation with just last month: "You're from GA?" "Yes." "I'd love to visit Atlanta, but have always wanted to see Savannah". In the last 30 years, only one person (a golfer) mentioned Augusta to me. 'Nuff said. BTW-- Have you been to the SAV historic district lately? Augusta pales in comparison, and I'm being very polite.