DaGABoyStinger

Yeah, 2007 and 2008 will be big years in Augusta, GA development history definitely, can't wait.

According to the Article, if this thing is built at this location by the Marriot, then it would give Augusta more of an advantage for attracting more conventions over Macon, and Columbus. These cities already have larger sized convention centers, but with no immediate hotel access. I hope this is built, since it can really help the city out and bring in some more convention $$$.

I see now that along this same stretch of highway, there is a need for a traffic signal along this road at the intersection of Washinton Rd. and Halali Farm Rd. There have been accidents here because of the increased traffic and low visibility at this intersection. residents here say one is desperately needed. Wait times to turn left here at sometimes 15 minutes. GADOT plans to widen washington Rd. and add a light here when they finishe the project by 2009, so it's still a while.

hmm... really, still why, though? I mean the area is sprawling over at the Greenbrier Area anyway, do they want to make Greenbriar more exclusive from the rest of Evans? There are already older developments such as the Paint and Body shop along this strip, and some areas along this route are still actually not that nice or "Columbia County-esce". I believe I noticed some trailers, and junks cars the last tme I drove along there, before it gets back to "Evans" again. IMO, the focus here perhaps should be development to infill the sprawl that has already happened, and continuing!!! Maybe not commercial, but maybe more residential. I personally wouldn't see anything wrong with it. Now the issue could be too, that a drive-thru window on a gas station could become a liquor store, but I'm sure if that was proposed to happen it would be talked about very loud and clear.

yeah it is about time and I agree about the costco, I think only Atlanta has it though. it seems to be a trend that if Atlanta has it for a while, then one or more of the Fall-line cities get it next. As far as national retailers, I agree too, Augusta still has a long way to catch up to the rest of the Southeast cities. I'm glad to see Aiken continuing to grow, even though the 2nd walmart did seem a bit much to hear, but with aiken's growing population, it should be sustained. A sams club and even another Best buy or circuit for the area would benefit also.

yeah I thought remembering reading too that there was going to be a Moe's there too along with a few other similar chains. And didn't they mention some condos as well? Seems like I remember a Chronicle Article a few months back, around October maybe.

The MCG cancer center was dedicated today. The center costs around 54 million , and is expected to be a prime center of cancer research for the southeast as well as the country. I hope this institution will continue to grow and make Augusta known for more than just golf. anyways, heres the scoop.

Here's another article, that everyone can read. More about the necessity for retail to remain inside county lines, and less dependance on Richmond County. Col. Co. on Georgia Trend.com

Is Columbia County at its saturation point when it comes to retial? Apparently it might be coming to that point. From Augusta Chronicle Sunday March, 5, 2006. the Story (AUG chronicle Members) Article Exert: "It's a question of supply and demand. In Columbia County, where announcements of new stores are frequent, some say the demand for retail still seems to be greater than the available supply." IMO, I do think that they are close to a point, especially with so much going on at one time. the population is growing fast, but not as fast as people think, or as fast as other counties in GA like Henry, Forsyth, or Cherokee counties. And it's mainly in Evans and not in other parts of the county. The infrastructure is really going to be an issue if this continues. But the article is very instresting, and alot of information as far as the economic infrastructure of the WHOLE CSRA. I would post some of it here, but it really is alot of information, I would suggest just reading the article. if you're not a member, sign up it's free. Also they talked about Col. Co. being a more "conveinant" place to live. Read more here: Conveinance Article Article exert: "Judging by recently compiled job-forecast figures, Columbia County residents soon might have a shorter drive to work, the grocery store or the doctor's office. Such a possibility is likely, officials say, as more retail, health care, manufacturing and wholesaling options become available in the county"

Updates on New retail developments in Evans. Marshall Square Location: North Belair Road in Evans Profile: 57-acre mixed-use project, including luxury condominiums, is expected to be completed by 2007. Evans Town Park Location: North Belair Road near Hereford Farm Road intersection Profile: 60-acre mixed-use development will feature a 60,000-square-foot office building; bulk of construction to begin this summer. Evans Town Square Location: Corner of North Belair and Washington roads Profile: The 23-acre site, currently occupied by Evans Middle School, could be redeveloped as a retail center as soon as late 2006 or early 2007. Mullins Crossing II: Location: Just west of the Mullins Crossing shopping center at the intersection of Washington and Owens roads. Profile: The second phase of the Target- and Kohl's-anchored Mullins Crossing shopping center is expected to be built in the spring. From the Tuesday, January 17, 2006 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/01170...s_6261571.shtml

From what was reported in late 2005. 2006 may spell a great year for Jobs across the area. If the 1st American Kia Assembly Plant is built in Aiken County then they would employ around 2,500 people, in addition to the thousands of potential spinoff jobs a plant like this can bring. Kellogg plant in Augusta is adding around 80 more jobs to it's expansion of the old Murray buscuit plant NBTY Vitamin company is taking over the old Bill's Dollar store distribution plant in South Augusta, adding around 600 jobs in about 3 years And as announced this past year, 4 NEW lifestyle centers to be open by 2007 will also boot the job market as well as the local economy. The Villeges at Riverwatch expects to create up to 850 new jobs to the area.

From reading the chronicle today, if Columbia county consolidated now it would automatically be the 7th largest city in the state (right under Macon). By 2010, they are predicting that it will be at #5 largest, since Savannah, Macon, Columbus, and Augusta, are all slowly losing their populations, while Coulmbia County is rapidly growing , and Atlanta and Athens are growing. Population estimates of largest cities in Georgia based on Census figures: Atlanta: 2000 - 416,474; 2004 estimate - 419,122 Augusta: 2000 - 195,182; 2004 estimate - 191,326 Columbus: 2000 - 185,781; 2004 estimate - 182,850 Savannah: 2000 - 131,510; 2004 estimate - 129,808 Athens: 2000 - 100,266; 2004 estimate - 102,744 Macon: 2000 - 97,255; 2004 estimate - 94,990 Columbia County Inc.: 2000 - 81,386 (unincorporated area, excluding Harlem and Grovetown); 2004 estimate - 92,500 (unincorporated area) Source: U.S. Census Bureau

An update on the current controversey: Columbia Co officials have tried to meet with the mayor's of Grovetown and Harlem to try to negotiate their support of consolidation. These cites are against consolidating the Evans-Martinez area with the rest of the county because it would leave their cities landlocked, and cut-off from future growth. These cities are currently the only incorporated cities and are also considered to have more of a higher poverty rate then the rest of the county. The unincorporated parts of Evans and Martinez have one of the highest income levels in the state. Not to mention the confusion that the residents are having to face as to what this would mean for their neighborhoods. Some argue that they don't want to inherit Augusta-Richmond County's similar government problems. If all goes to plan Evans-Columbia County could be voted on by next election (Nov 2006), and consolidated by January 2007 if passed. And it Immediately will become Georgia's 7th Largest City, yes bigger than Sandy Springs and right under all the other large to mid cities in GA.

One more piece of news, Riverwood Plantation area of Evans, is also in the process of approving zoning for 1500 acres of land behind the existing neighborhood, and building over 3000 NEW residential units, including condos, townhomes, and single family homes, as well as some commercial developments. This is at a serious controversy with the county and residents of the area. Highway widening in existing 2 -lane areas of this proposed community are still a ways away, construction will not be finished until 2010. Traffic is apparently already a problem at this neighborhood, and the county is having issues in building roads fast enough to satisfy the growing demand for development in the area. Riverwood Plantation Website This is a recently developed mixed use community that incorportates some of Augusta and Charleston's old architecture from downtown and brings them here. Currently is developing phase I on 2300 acres, Phase II will be on an additional 1500 acres to the NW adjacent to the current site.

Just announced, there are additionals plans being made for Mullins Crossing Shopping center. Phase II is in the works, even with Phase I still yet to be fully completed. Details on retailers have not been announced (as always, ) but they claim it to be more national retailers like of what's already there now. The center is expected to be about double what is there now, which currently is at about 440,000 square feet. Defintelly a great retail boom for the area.

both pics were taken from The Augusta chronicle's website, from the Nov 13 issue under the archives. http://chronicle.augusta.com

Hey, here another aerial vew of the proposed "Villeges at Riverwatch" still to open in Fall 2007. ALSO in other news, It was just announced in the AUG chronicle again that ANOTHER Lifestyle center is under development in Augusta, making this #4 for the area!!!. So here's what we have now in development 1. Villages at Riverwatch (Fall 2007) 2. Augusta Mall Lifestyle expansion (summer 2007) 3. Marshall's Square (Evans) (by 2008 or 2009 for retail) 4. The Avenue (Richmond/Columbia Co line, Martinez)(dates unknown) YES, The same "The Avenue" that is already in Atlanta (East Cobb, West Cobb, and Peachtree City), the same developers. Construction and completion dates are still unknown at this point, but development is apparently under way. The proposed location is at the intersection of Riverwatch Pkwy and Fury's Ferry Rd. Also according to the paper, AUG could really have 5 lifestyle type centers. They are also including Surrey Center as one, which is an older shopping center (built in the 60's). Very Upscale witho some of the most fancy restaurants and stores in the area. Surrey Center (built in 1969)

The NEW Mullins Shopping Center is finally opening up and the first tenants are having their grand openings this week, including the NEW Evans Target (Augusta Area's 3RD), Kohls (Area's 1ST), Chick-Fil-A (Area's 4TH or 5TH, not sure). The New Babie's R Us will open next week, followed by PETCO (only other one outside ATL that I know of in GA), and Cost Plus world market (ALSO the only other one outside ATL in GA). ALSO there is MORE mixed use developements like Residential Low-Mid rise condos, planned for this same area in the coming months and few years. This is ONLY ONE of 4-6 New shopping centers planned for the Evans area over the next two-three years. With more to keep on coming.

Yeah, this article was very distrubing, and sort of surprising. For a county that seems to have it together, you would think they would already have the name picked out before the decision was even voted on. I almost thought this was a gag story, but I guess not, it's actually sad. Evans or Martinez seems appropriate if best, followed by any other city name in Columbia Co. AS A MATTER OF FACT, I wouldn't even WANT them to EVEN HAVE MY Augusta's name anyway. West Augusta, HA!!! As far as I'm concerned this name needs to stay where it needs to be, in RICHMOND County. It doesn't make any sense, especially when THEY have their OWN agendas and want their own recognition anyway away from the Original Augusta. You'll soon rather be from "Evans, GA" and not "Augusta" anyway, so that shouldn't of been suggested even jokingly.

Columbia County: Pros: One of the best school systems in GA, Money magazine's #32 best place to live and raise a family, conveinant shopping centers, movie theathers, etc. CONS: increasing growth=more traffic problems=longer commutes. Richmond county: Pros: Magnet Schools (at all grade levels) boast highest rankings in GA (Davidson Fine Arts is ranked consistantly #1 HS in GA), Not as much traffic=faster commute times with Ft. Gordon and downtown. (Spurs of residential homes around base with moderately low crime rates.), Houses of similar size, sell for Ten-Thousands less than Columbia. Downtown has most of the cultural attractions (museums, nature parks/trails, etc). CONS: High crime generally in Central city and below downtown. On the fringes of South Augusta, not nearly as much (in my personal experience JUST AS SAFE as Columbia). Not as much progressive economic and quality of life advancement as Columbia. Somewhat of an "unstable" city-county government Either way, if you live in Richmond or not you will have to encounter it in everyday basis. My best advice to you too is to also check out some of these areas, to see for yourself. Both sides have there good parts and there are some bad and no area is truly "safe" from crime, so to me both counties seem to be about the same to me. But I guess it just depends on what you would rather handle. And both areas have distinct areas not too alike from it's neighboring areas. So shop around.

An update on the potential Evans-Columbia County. They are one step closer to being a reality. If approved to be presented to the Georgia Legislature and passed, then voters could vote on it by July of next year (2006) From AUG Chronicle: "If approved by voters, he said, it would cause Evans to be incorporated as a city and simultaneously be consolidated with the county government, causing no change in how the county government now works. Mr. Cross said incorporating is important for the future of Columbia County, in part, because it would make it eligible for certain federal funds and could bring in as much as $5 million a year in franchise fees, which are collected from telephone, cable television, electricity and natural gas companies. Officials for the cities of Grovetown and Harlem, however, have expressed concern with the consolidation idea, saying it would land-lock their boundaries."

Well, some sources have different figures on AUG's estimated pop for post-2000. I've seen some sources at 201,000 (2002 est., Microsoft Mappoint) for Richmond county with a very LOW growth rate, while I've seen some with negative declining percentage possibly down to 190,000 by 2010, likely because of the outward county sprawl, but it's really hard to say at this point whether the city is definitely growing or losing people. It's also predicted off of Columbia County's website under the "Arena Fasibility Study" that the AUG MSA could be well over 650,000 by 2025

Yeah, I do agree with you Socaguy. In fact the last ime I was home in Augusta, I drove around the Lake Forest Rd/Walton Way Ext. area and was really blown away by the various types of architecture there. But since I'm originally from the southside AUG, it just seems to me that more emphasis and focus should be concentrated on that side of town. The people ARE there and I believe that if more effective planning and effort was put in to are from both city leaders and citizens themselves, then Columbia county wouldn't stand out as much and be as dominant in representing the overall Augusta Area. Some progress has been made (a new Applebees and a Ruby Tuesday on the way), but I know there can be more if more support is rallied.

well actually, I don't think that's EVER gonna happen, mainly because the demographics between the counties are so different. Two completely different income levels, attitudes, etc. It would really further split Augusta in two more seriously noticible parts. And the line is already thick enough as it is. In fact I believe that's why they are considering consolidating in the first place. Columbia County (from reading about them from their offical website) seems to have its own agenda to become it's own separate independant place, away from Augusta, kinda like how Marietta almost is it's own place near the root city, or maybe like Greenville and Spartanburg. Augusta may be the place to work and currently to shop (heed I said "currently"), but Columbia County is the place to live, and already to be for work and play. I think people there soon may want to be from "Evans" and not really "Augusta" Everyday you hear about a restaurant downtown that's been there for decades suddenly just close up shop and move to a completely different county, just to possibly make 4 times the profit, ignoring any positive presence it may have served to the community. And then you have a ghost town infested with crime and god knows what else, and also an end to a once prosperous place. Right now I think Augusta is the only area I know of that seems to have it's this problem of "shifting-over" if you will. OR maybe even like a growing "ring of fire", burns ferociously at the edges but is dark, black and lifeless in the inner core. But I don't know this is just my opinion. Hopefully someday, someone or something will change this.

Yeah, you read me right, and I really did see this coming. There is talk rumored around the AUG metro and reported in the Augusta Chronicle today (8/10/2005) that the county may be looking into incorporating Evans as a city and then possibly consolidating this city with the rest of unincorporated Columbia County, therefore permantly stifling any potential city limit expansions from Grovetown and Harlem (CC's only two actual incorporated cities). If this actually happens East-Central Georgia will have two of Georgia's top biggest municipalities (in terms of land area). And of course none of this is set in stone yet, but is in serious controversy throughout the region, and already has gained some support from some residents and a state official. Interesting fact off CC's website: Columbia County's sister city is Nowy Sacz, Poland.