Current Projects
Promotion • Economic Restructuring
Design
Parking Study
Carl Walker, Inc. completed a parking study for the DDA in April 2005. A review of existing parking management practices indicates that a more effective and efficient strategy in downtown Augusta is needed. A site visit to Athens was completed in March 2006 and the DDA is currently preparing a cost/revenue budget that reflects the costs and incomes associated with implementing a parking management system.
Demonstration Streetscape Project
Working with private partners, the DDA has completed the construction drawings for this 10th Street project from Broad to Ellis Street. At the Bid Opening, on September 11, 2007, Horizon Construction was the low bidder at $106,480. Construction is expected to begin October 1 and finish by the Masters Tournament in 2008.
This highly visible block and the original home of Paine College will get a facelift with a new sidewalk with brick borders, street furniture, landscaping, new street lights and banners. The DDA hopes this project will serve as a stimulus to complete a block-by-block streetscape project for downtown with public/private partners. The DDA extends a special thanks to Cranston Engineering and Haltermann Properties to making this project possible. The DDA has allocated $125,000 of SPLOST funding for this project.
Greenway Improvements, History Museum Railroad Corridor
This abandoned railroad corridor will get improvements with $50,800 of DDA SPLOST Funding. With the construction of the Watermark Condominium Project and the History Museum’s James Brown Wing planned for 2008, this highly visible piece property will become a gateway to lower Broad Street. The project includes clean-up and debris removal, a new sidewalk and extensive landscaping.
Downtown Entry Signage
The DDA has partnered with the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau to complete a comprehensive wayfinding signage plan for the City of Augusta. The CVB was awarded a Preserve America Grant in the amount of $25,000 with DDA and private partners matching an additional $25,000. The project is currently being designed by Hillier Architecture with these funds. The DDA has allocated $101,000 to the CVB to manufacture and install downtown entryway signage when the final design is approved.
Transportation Enhancement Grant for James Brown Blvd
The Downtown Development Authority has partnered with the City of Augusta to apply for a Georgia Dept. of Transportation enhancement grant for James Brown Blvd. as recommended in the Charrette Report Strategic Concepts and Recommendations for the Augusta Third Level Canal/Laney-Walker Neighborhood.
James Brown Blvd will be the primary street frontage for the Justice Center and future office and retail redevelopment. The enhancements include new sidewalks with “bulb-outs:, landscaping, street furnishings and informational kiosks.
The DDA approved $6500 in SPLOST Funding to prepare the grant and $35,000 to match the grant if awarded. The City of Augusta has committed an additional $35,000 match. The grant request id $1.2 million dollars for the improvements. Grant awards will be made in December 2007.
Business Improvement District (BID)
The Downtown Development Authority undertook the work in establishing a BID. A BID is a designated area where property owners agree to assess themselves for a 5-year period to raise additional capitol for clean and safety issues. A BID is run by the private sector and the city agrees to maintain existing services. In order to establish a BID, 51 percent of the property owners or 51 percent of the assessed value must sign petitions.
In June, 2007 this project came to fruition with 54% of the property owners and 71% of the assessed value signing their petitions and in July, the commission approved the ordinance necessary to establish the BID. The BID area is from the Savannah River to the south side of Greene Street and the west side of 13th Street to west side of 6th Street.
The BID will raise approximately $400,000 in additional revenue. A steering committee has been appointed to begin work on the articles of incorporation and by-laws. For more information visit www.augustabid.org.
New Trash Receptacles
In June, the DDA approved $42,028 in SPLOST Funding for forty-three new refuse containers for Broad Street. The existing containers will be relocated to side streets.
Ellis Streetscape Project
The DDA has consistently matched private investment in downtown Augusta with a 4-to-6 percent match in public funds for public improvements. With the 5 million dollar private investment in the JB White’s Bldg, the DDA approved $125,000 in SPLOST Funding for streetscape improvement on the north side of the 900 block of Ellis Street.
The project will include a new sidewalk with brick pavers, landscaping, street furniture, lampposts and banners.
The DDA has requested proposals for design of this project.
