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I see that there is a slight difference (~5000) between figures for City of Augusta and Richmond County. Thought that city-county was consolidated. Is there is small enclave of Richmond Couty that is not included in the city? Not sure how BRAC affects Augusta (think that Ft Gordon set for increase?) but suspect that you are right that the 2d city status will soon be reclaimed by Columbus (if not already). However, Augusta's claim to 2d place in terms of metro population is not in any immediate danger -- though that gap too is closing. Columbus/A-O CSMA ~ 425,000. Augusta SMA population significantly greater (includes a few more counties than Columbus/A-O CSMA). So I guess that means that there will be a division of "bragging rights" -- Columbus as the 2d city and Augusta as the 2d metro.

Thanx for info -- and pix. Never seen a bird's eye view. It is very impressive. Easy to understand how this one has potential to be a real showstopper if done right. And as I said the view of the river is awesome. Just standing on back deck of the event center is a sight. Can imagine what the view must be from teh upper floors of the old mill building. Can see (and I am just surmising here) Lake Oliver and marina to the north and DT to the south. Am anxiously awaiting newsabouth this one -- so keep us all informed.

I have heard that Will Barnes of Barnes & Company Architects is developing plans for redevelopment/conversopn of the old Bibb Mill on First. To be called RiverMill. It has over 1,000,000 sq feet (yes, that is million, withan "m") and I think that it was either the largest or second largest textile mill in the world when it was built in the early 1900's. I have not heard of specifics -- I assume that it will involve combination of retail/residential/recreation. The RiverMill Events Center is already open (was the old antique mall that closed about a year ago). I do know that the location is one of the most beautiful on the river. A mile or two upriver from DT and is the put-in site for the proposed white water course. Perfect for a small hotel catering to white water enthusiasts and bar/cafe overlooking river. If anyone has heard details pass them along. As far as I know it is still a work-in-progress without any specifics or proposed date for start of construction. But certainly exciting possibility and worth keeping eyes and ears open for.

I am starting to hear vague rumors about upcoming anoouncement(s) regarding KIA supplier(s). However, cannot get any specifics as to who, what, when or where. Only to be optimistic about some "big" news at sometime "soon." Anyone have any better info than I seem to be able to unearth? Would hope that it is a major employer in new Muscogee Tech Park but would be almost equally happy if was in A/O or the new industrial park in N. Harris. Source is pretty good -- same one that put me onto Kia well before that announcement and when West point was not even on the radar. Lets keep fingers X'd that this rumor also pans out and let me know when anyone hears anything more definite.

Anyone have a better sense than I do of what is actually happening with the Rails-To-Trails project. The info I read today left me a little confused. I knew that the project was originally billed as including a trolley line from DT to CSU and beyond. Then I heard that the line got scrapped because of cost. Now it seems that it may be back on track (pun intended) but with rubber-wheeled trolley rather than rails? And the project may be expanded to include Civic Center and the Convention Center? Hope that that is correct on both counts. The trail really needs a trolley to facilitate traffic between CSU main and DT campuses. A rubber-wheeled trolley would be less expensive, more environmentally friendly and probably require less maintenance. The downside is that it would require a driver and there is always the possibility of human error. But rails are not infallible and derailments not unheard of. Also that type of rubber-tire trolley could presumably be run along the Riverwalk. With the new Riverwalk extension behind the E&P Condo, it could be possible to connect the Civic Center and the Convention Center to the trailhead at 14th St Bridge. Also using trolleys along Riverwalk might be a way to ferry whitewater users between putin point @ Bibb Mill and takeout point @ Dillingham St. I recently walked the Riverwalk from River Club down to Dillingham and then up the PC Riverwalk to and across the 14th St Bridge. If and when that 14th St Bridge gets converted to a pedestrian plaza with cafes and outdoor bars, it will be a great addition to the DT area. Especially if the Phenixian and the Phenix Rising condos do get built.

If demographics change and the center of middle-class population shifts north from current mid-town, then Veterans Pkwy becomes the new Macon Rd dividing a less affluent southside from a more affluent northside. In that unhappy event nothing -- not even a great management company -- can save P'tree Mall fro the fate of Columbus SQ. Retail will generally always move with the population. Lets all hope that that doesnt happen! With redevelopment of the Victory Drive/S Lumpkin area, there is every reason to believe that it wont, and that that area of town will regentrify in the future and Macon Rd wont be a dividing line any longer. Not familiar with Dillards Home Store -- like the old Richs Store For Homes? Furntiture, accessories and the like?

I think I heard that an existing store -- Dillards? -- had optioned it. But why and for what I havent a clue. Agree about Belks -- but suspect that that decision was made on demographics. As population moves north, Belks -- if interested in the market at all -- may be considering another location. Which means that P'tree may be doomed to sufferer the same fate as Columbus Sq?

Good news, Bad news Today's AJC lists Muscogee as # 10 on the list of counties that are creating the most "concrete, asphalt and roofs." Growth is good, but the growth is coming at the expense of a loss of 2 acres of green space per day. I really wish that we could have growth without such a great loss of green space. At this rate, the whole county is going to look like Columbus Park X-ing in a few years! Yikes! Sprawl, ya'll and it ain't pretty. Somehow I cannot imagine Garrison Keiller singing the praises of an area covered with the likes of Coulmbus Park (what a misnomer) X-ing. Chatham (#7, 3 acres per day) is the only other non-metro Atlanta county on the list.

Certainly hope that this happens -- need connections to Charlotte (maybe Nashville) as well. And a dependable connection to Atlanta -- tho I think it will be very difficult for an airline (even a dependable one) to compete with Groome Was not sure where 20-acres located. Along Airport Thruway directly across from Wal-mart?

I am only down on weekends for now, so I cant comment on the work week -- but I have sure noticed a major pickup in traffic all around the areas I do frequent when I am there. The deadend intersection of Allen Pwy and 280 in PC is a nitemare -- not sure what is worse, getting onto 280 from Allen Pwy or getting on to Allen Pwy from 280. The whole Columbus X-ing area is a zoo -- but cannot be avoided when shopping. My pet peeve is the ridiculous left-turn only lights all along the Manchester X-pressway (wnat a misnomer -- hardly an X-pressway with all those lights). They take FOREVER and are mostlty unnecessary (like the one at 17th Ave and the one (35th St?) between 45th St and River Rd intersections). I dont know who the City traffic engineer is, but I believe that he got his degree from a correspondence school! The City really needs a competent traffic engineer and certainly better planning and MUCH better roads. Part of the "problem" is that GDOT seems to be committed to its stupid notion of funnelling all traffic thru Atlanta -- so funds are spent here and the other areas of the state get crumbs. That said, I still have not encountered any situation that I can consider comparable to traffic here in Atlanta. I have driven in NYC, SF, LA, DC, Houston, Mexico City, etc. Atlanta is about as bad as any of them. But then I am subject to rush hour traffic conditions and, as I said, I dont have any firsthand experience with those conditions in Columbus -- yet.

Thanx! Wow! Then this really is great news! I am hearing more and more about the half-backers. Northeners who moved to Fla and now want to come half-way back to continue to enjoy good weather but escape crowds/hurricanes in Fla. Seems that that may be a real phenomenon and may explain new condos/development. Columbus a logical location for them -- golf, theater, boating, museums, shopping etc. Small enough to enjoy a relaxed life style but large enough to enjoy extracurricular activities -- and Atlanta only 90 minutes away for the big city experience.

Very interesting article -- but can you answer a question? Is this a newly announced development or has this news been out for awhile? I seem to remember a development announced for River Rd and another off Veterans Pwy @ Williams Rd near N. Clumbus High. But I dont remember hearing anything before about this development off Blackmon Rd. So, is this new or did I miss the news when this was announced at some earlier point? Very encouraging that Atlantic Station developers are involved -- that is one awesome deveopment here in Atlanta. Also very encouraging what article says about prospects for growth of the area

Very accurate. 2000-2005 was still a period in which texile-industry was bleeding jobs. After a 30-year decline, the mills are now almost gone (other than as condos/apartments), so economy started to stabilize and actually grow. New industry now does not simply replace closing one. Retail is booming (in anticipation of BRAC). The trajectory seems upward rather than horizontal. Now, if we could just get the road connections the future would be really rosy. GDOT needs to get cracking on the W Ga Freeway (Chattanooga/LaGrange?Columbus/Fla) to take some of the snowbird traffic out of Atlanta. Ditto the Fall Line Freeway and the new I-14. Just look what I-20 did for Augusta and I-16 and 75 for Macon and it is not hard to imagine Columbus really popping with similar access.

Columbus is in the unfortunate position of being downstream from Atlanta. Meaning that they steal our water AND replace it with their sewerage! The growth of Atlanta threatens Columbus immediately -- a proposed marina on the river has already been back-burnered due to uncertainty about water flow. And I am concerned that the white water project may be in jeopardy. Cant have a white water rafting/canoe course without water!

No -- I think that there are at least three others Litho-Krome (printing) H&K (guns) Techsphere (balloons/airships) Seems to be getting off to slow start. Ideal location for KIA supplier and other large mfg concern. let's keep fingers X'd for large announcements soon.

Quite right. I believe that it was at the opposite extreme -- largest % lost -- for 2002-2003. The figures are totally dependent on troop strength in any given year. Ft Benning -- tho occuping a portion of Muscogee -- is mainly in Chattahoochee.

According to my unaudited calcuations, new census estimates put population of Columbus/A/O/Tuskegee CSA at 437226. That is still behind the # 2 Augusta SMA at 523249. But puts us in a solid third. Will be interesting to see how teh numbers change when BRAC real kicks in in a year or two.

Gratified to see that Ashley Station (old Peabody Apts -- my home for first 9 months of my life) is now open. It looks terrific and certainly will be a wonderful addition to the area. Also that second phase will start immediately and add even more apartments/residents is excellant news. With developing medical complex and new "rails-to-trails" running thru, it has real potential to attract residents, including CSU students, nurses, etc. However, I am growing concerned about what will happen to the old Jordan Mill @ 12th Ave that burned last year. It was scheduled to be developed into an apartment complex and now is a derelict ruin. Also, any idea when 12th will reopen? A real pain to negotiate that area (but at least Warm Spgs is now open) Also interesting article in today's L&E about bank expansions DT. Unfortunately no highrises -- but good to hear that CB&T will preserve the architecture of the old buildings. If they had only also opted to replace the facade of their butt-ugly hq's @ B'way and 12th!

I think that Columbus is in line == but way further down the list than Macon. My understanding is that (for whatever reason) tying Atlanta to Savannah via Macon is first priority. Columbus and Augusta are going to take a back seat -- assuming that this project ever gets underway at all. Insofar as Columbus-Atlanta line is concerned, the plan is (or at least was) to run it via Griffin. In my opinion, running it along the I-185/85 corridor makes way more sense. Columbus, LaGrange, Newnan, Hartsfield, Atlanta. Maybe now that KIA has announced , that route will get some consideration. Having high-speed connection there would certainly be a boon for W. Ga.

It will be interesting to see what the new Y will look like. I hope that there will be info on that soon. I would think that there would be a fund-raising effort but I have not heard of that yet. Also interested in what will happen to the old Y site. I presume that the "new" section will be razed for parking for the church? The old marble Y building surely will be preserved and used as classrooms etc for church? There was some talk that the old Y building would be used as a city museum -- which is teh use I would prefer. But as long as it is preserved and refurbished, I will be happy. Not sure about Swift Mill -- actually I cannot locate it in my mind. I keep thinking of the huge mill on Sixth Ave. Is it in (or near) Bibb City? If it is "historic," I think it will be preserved -- by law and common outcry. Remember when the City mill building was "accidently" demolished last year? I will ask around when I am down and report back if I hear anything. BTW -- it is curious and a bit disheartening to hear of the rash of fires in old mill. Bibb Mill a few weeks back, Jordan Mills on 12th, Swift as you report. I shutter to think about what would be lost if the Springer and some of the other older buildings were to suufer a fire!

Okay -- this is a bit of a stretch (but remember I did raise the Kia possibility last summer) however I am heartened by Dell's announcement that it is ending its exclusivity deal with Intel and cozying up to AMD. The reason is that AMD chose Columbus as the site for its multi-billion $ chip plant a few years back but then decided to pursue business in Asia with a plant in Singapore. Maybe this deal with Dell will be a shot-in-the-arm for AMD and that will in turn lead to ADM dusting off its plans for a new North American chip plant. If so, I hope that Columbus remains the site of choice. Should this come to pass, remember you heard it here first. If not, well, never mind! :-)

CSU has a short promo video for its new DT campus. Focus is on new dorms but has some interesting shots of DT as well http://www.colstate.edu/riverparkhousing/ Can select player Also WC Bradley has updated the site for new condo development. Most features still under construction but has some info on buildings, and available units. Also some pix of location etc. Hopefully it will be expanded soon http://www.eagleandphenix.com

KIA COMES TO WEST POINT! 5000 new jobs projected! ~ $50,000 per year! Only 30 miles from Columbus via interstate. Huge potential for N. Harris County. Look for recognition of new consolidated metro area consisting of Columbus/Auburn-Opelika/LaGrange. Approaching 1 million in 2015-2020. Now we need to concentrate on getting Porshe or Audi (cannot confirm which) and Advanced Miro Devices chip plant. 2006 could see some big announcements! Let's hope that KIA is just the start of some really big deals finally coming on line!

LA Times has short article in today's paper which says that Kia announcement could come "as early as next week, with a site in southwestern Georgia believed to be the leading candidate." (apparently, Yankees think that anything south of Atlanta is "southwestern Georgia"!) Article goes on to say that WardsAuto.com, an online trade journal, reports that announcement is tentatively scheduled for next Tuesday, the 14th.