Augusta, Macon or Columbus: Who Will Be The Next Star In Georgia's Crown? (Atlanta: school, university)

[Iconographer]

In the last 25 years, we have witnessed the ascendancy of two great Georgia cities: Atlanta and Savannah. Of the three mid-tier Fall Line cities, whose turn is next? Will it be Macon, Augusta or Columbus?

I vote Macon, largely due to its sleeping giant of an historic district, and its proximity to Atlanta.

[citidata18]

1. Augusta - The Army Cyber Command Center could be a game changer

2. Macon - I-75 connectivity

3. Columbus

[Huntsville_secede]

Originally Posted by citidata18

1. Augusta - The Army Cyber Command Center could be a game changer

2. Macon - I-75 connectivity

3. Columbus

If I-14 does end up getting built anytime in our lifetime it could fuel growth in Augusta/Columbus and Macon.

[JayHey]

What exactly is the metric for "ascendency"?

Is it population size or growth? Is it tourism dollars spent? Is it the highest number of chef-driven restaurants with Edison bulb lighting?



Augusta is the largest by far and has lots growth being spurred by Cyber CC and the BoR's push to grow undergraduate population at AU.

Much of Macon's size and growth is "hidden" by Houston County being counted as a separate metro, but the distance between Macon and WR is the same as Buckhead to Hartsfield. Tourism dollars generated in Bibb and Houston outpace everywhere else in Georgia except Atlanta and Savannah (re: the State Fair). And that's only going to grow with Ocmulgee Mounds being turned into a National Park site.

Columbus has developed into the state's fourth foodie town, after Atlanta, Savannah, and Athens. Its downtown is more compact than the other two and has a higher number of local establishments than the other two downtowns, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was outpaced by Augusta within a few years and by Macon not long after that.



All three of the cities are somewhat similar with a common history and each of them have taken steps to rejuvenate their historic CBDs. Macon's is uniquely large but it has and will be helped by Mercer's growth plan, it's a small university but a rich one. AU and CSU have each been transitioning to a more traditional undergrad student body which will help spur creative growth and downtown residents.

Originally Posted by Huntsville_secede

If I-14 does end up getting built anytime in our lifetime it could fuel growth in Augusta/Columbus and Macon.

It won't

[Columbus1984]

Originally Posted by JayHey

What exactly is the metric for "ascendency"?

Is it population size or growth? Is it tourism dollars spent? Is it the highest number of chef-driven restaurants with Edison bulb lighting?



Augusta is the largest by far and has lots growth being spurred by Cyber CC and the BoR's push to grow undergraduate population at AU.

Much of Macon's size and growth is "hidden" by Houston County being counted as a separate metro, but the distance between Macon and WR is the same as Buckhead to Hartsfield. Tourism dollars generated in Bibb and Houston outpace everywhere else in Georgia except Atlanta and Savannah (re: the State Fair). And that's only going to grow with Ocmulgee Mounds being turned into a National Park site.

Columbus has developed into the state's fourth foodie town, after Atlanta, Savannah, and Athens. Its downtown is more compact than the other two and has a higher number of local establishments than the other two downtowns, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was outpaced by Augusta within a few years and by Macon not long after that.



All three of the cities are somewhat similar with a common history and each of them have taken steps to rejuvenate their historic CBDs. Macon's is uniquely large but it has and will be helped by Mercer's growth plan, it's a small university but a rich one. AU and CSU have each been transitioning to a more traditional undergrad student body which will help spur creative growth and downtown residents.



It won't

Having lived in Athens for undergrad and grad school, I would say Columbus has surpassed Athens as a foodie town. Downtown restaurant growth in Columbus is staggering. With the Krog Street Market type development going in, Columbus is leaps ahead of the other cities. I work in all 3 consistently and Columbus is far ahead of the others with downtown revitalization.

[nortonguy]

Augusta’s economy, MSA, urban area, etc is already larger than Savannah. What’s the criteria used to separate it from the fall line cites? It’s job growth is not higher than Augusta right now without the future Cyber Command.

Even with Augusta losing Whole Foods. We still have Costco, Publix, Fresh Market, Earthfare, Aldi, and the new Sprouts and Lidl. National corporations obviously don’t view Savannah being a tier above.

[citidata18]

Originally Posted by nortonguy

Augusta’s economy, MSA, urban area, etc is already larger than Savannah. What’s the criteria used to separate it from the fall line cites? It’s job growth is not higher than Augusta right now without the future Cyber Command.

Even with Augusta losing Whole Foods. We still have Costco, Publix, Fresh Market, Earthfare, Aldi, and the new Sprouts and Lidl. National corporations obviously don’t view Savannah being a tier above.

Savannah's growing at a faster rate, having added an estimated 40,000 people since 2010. Its growth is being driven by the rapid expansion of the port as well as the tourism industry.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by JayHey

What exactly is the metric for "ascendency"?

That's a good question, and frankly a hard one for me to articulate.

I guess I'm looking for one of them to acquire the 'It' factor of cities like Savannah, Charleston, Austin, Portland, Asheville, Nashville and most recently, Greenville and Columbia, SC. All of them have the goods to get there; they just need that push of energy to get to that place. What will it take, IYO?

[nortonguy]

Originally Posted by Iconographer

That's a good question, and frankly a hard one for me to articulate.

I guess I'm looking for one of them to acquire the 'It' factor of cities like Savannah, Charleston, Austin, Portland, Asheville, Nashville and most recently, Greenville and Columbia, SC. All of them have the goods to get there; they just need that push of energy to get to that place. What will it take, IYO?

Ok, now I agree with this premise. I would say Augusta’s ‘it’ factor is kinda on par with Columbia.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by nortonguy

Ok, now I agree with this premise. I would say Augusta’s ‘it’ factor is kinda on par with Columbia.

Here's a three-point plan for Augusta:

1. Build on the Augusta National franchise.
2. Build on the existing historic areas; preserve those structures at all costs.
3. Continue developing the riverfront.

In short, acquire a Savannah/Charleston mindset.