Augusta and North Augusta master plan taking shape in 2010 (Savannah: hotel, houses)

[nortonguy]

Kroc Center. Check.
Augusta Judicial Center. Check.
TEE Center. Check.

Major pieces of the downtown Augusta and North Augusta master plan, now a year old, are under way , but much of the implementation of the 20-year master plan is still largely a behind-the-scenes endeavor.

“A lot of good things are happening, and a lot of good people are involved,” said Dennis Skelley, the president of Augusta Tomorrow, which spearheaded the plan’s development and implementation. “Next year, we’ll have even more to report.”

Skelley said the 200-page plan isn’t sitting on a shelf. Imp­lementation teams have been working on the plan’s ideas since the summer.

The plan focuses on nine “market creation districts” that could revitalize neighborhoods in both cities. The districts are clusters of projects that would create a destination attraction and be a catalyst for other development.

“It is a long- range plan,” said John Shields, one of the writers of the plan. “The trick now is to find the pieces that they can get done early to keep momentum going.” Shields, who is developing a second master plan that involves the rest of Richmond County, said he is pleased about how the cities are moving on the first plan.

HOME | Augusta Tomorrow


Taking shape | The Augusta Chronicle

[nortonguy]

Three districts making major moves

1. Westbou River Crossing

The big idea: Tie Augusta and North Augusta together with a waterfront development spanning the Savannah River; turn the Fifth Street bridge into a pedestrian bridge; install fishing center at Hamburg Brick Pond.

Cost: $90 million private, $25 million public

The latest
-North Augusta purchased property along the Savannah River for $1 million and is now seeking developers.
- Improvement completed to Gordon Highway interchange



2. Harrisburg Canal Village

The big idea: Give Harrisburg a new image and identity with a mixed-use retail center; build residential units along the First Level Canal

Cost: $100 million private, $25 million public

The latest:
- Construction is under way for the $100 million Salvation Army Kroc Center.
- The implementation team is starting a nonprofit corporation to rehabilitate houses.



3. Westobou Arts Center

The big idea: Redevelop vacant riverfront land into an arts and entertainment center

Cost: $80 million private, $30 million public

The latest:
- Development of the TEE Center has resumed.
- Hyatt Place hotel is back in the design phase.
- Restoration of the Miller Theatre is under examination by consultants.

[nortonguy]

The Sandbar Ferry ''new urbanist" Village is moving along too. Underwood homes has about 2 buildings that have been demolished. New residential will replace the former housing projects.

MASTER PLAN | Augusta Tomorrow

[nortonguy]

Get ready to say ''R.I.P'' to Underwood in a couple of months..... The projects are disappearing around Augusta.

[heckkle]

Originally Posted by nortonguy

Get ready to say ''R.I.P'' to Underwood in a couple of months..... The projects are disappearing around Augusta.

Excellent!

[All4Augusta]

Wow, and that's not because I agree!!

[Willman829]

Yall don't even know the projects, so stop the downgrading crap!!!

[All4Augusta]

Willman829, I have been saying that since Ive joined this forum! They don't understand lol!!! Glad it's someone on here that agrees with me!!