PJA

I ran across pictures of the new interchange a couple of months ago but I don't remember where. I'm sure I'll run across them again and will post them if I do.

Update on Bobby Jones & I-20 construction The Applebees that had caught on fire a few weeks ago may not be remodeled. It seems as though the GA Department of Transportation may need that land for the extension of the expressway and the construction of the overpass that will be built over Scott Nixon Memorial Dr. As of right now the Applebees will remain closed until the DOT makes their decision. Construction for the expressway additions is expected to begin later this year or next year but could be delayed as long as 2008.

Update on the new large district park coming to North Augusta Full Article

Radisson undergoes change to become the Mariott and a more luxurious hotel. Full Story

The old Miller Theatre downtown to be restored. Downtown landmark to be redeveloped Press Release By Janie Peel, Economic Development Ombudsman for the City of Augusta The Historic Miller Theater was sold today to local developer Peter Knox IV. The total development plan and use for the theater are still in the works pending a full developmental plan being completed. Peter Knox says "The Miller. It is time. The active decay will be stopped with complete roofing repairs. The structure will then be ready for further renovation or mothballing. I expect help with this endeavor, but the roof cannot wait; structurally, the roof simply cannot wait." The sale was procured by Gene Gilbert of Prime Commercial Properties. The Miller is reported to be a sound building with many of the architectural features still intact. Gene Gilbert says, "I look forward to The Miller being developed and it being one of our success stories for downtown and all of Augusta". There is a grass roots effort by local concerned citizens to Save the Miller headed by Mike Deas who was born and raised in Augusta. Mr. Deas has done extensive research on restoration of historic theaters and specifically, has developed a website with history of The Miller Theater which can be accessed at www.friendsofthemiller.com. The restoration team from The Fabulous Fox Theater in Atlanta was recently in Augusta and was very impressed with the efforts the community is putting forward to Save the Miller. Mr. Deas says, "A restored Miller Theater in combination with the proven success of The Imperial Theater would provide elite and varied entertainment for the Augusta area citizens." The Miller Theater has been one of the main topics of discussion at the Tuesday Morning Roundtables held every Tuesday morning at Mallys on 7th at 8:00 am. Many state agencies and Augusta's Housing and Economic Development Department have discussed many funding sources and partnerships to help further the goal of getting The Miller back to a productive building in the heart of the downtown Business District which was at one time the Theater District with The Miller, The Imperial, The Rialto and The Modjeska flourishing at the same time.

Has anyone heard anything else about this shopping center? Retail site is set near Exchange Officials brace themselves for traffic tangle in hectic area Web posted Wednesday, January 19, 2005 By Adrian Burns and Damon Cline {sodEmoji.{sodEmoji.|}} Staff Writers The area around the Augusta Exchange already is bustling, but it will get even busier when a new shopping center opens along Walton Way Extension. An Atlanta-based company has plans to develop a nine-acre parcel, rezoned earlier this week from agricultural/residential to commercial, into a retail center with 90,000 square feet of space. "There's plans right now for up to four buildings," said Roscoe Powers, the director of acquisitions for Hand Properties Inc, which develops "build-to-suit" properties for nearly two dozen national retailers, including Bed, Bath & Beyond; TJ Maxx; and Office Depot. Mr. Powers said he would begin marketing the property to retailers once plans and permits are approved by Richmond County during the next two months. He did not rule out pitching the property to retailers already operating in Augusta. "Some of the tenants may already be there and would like to get into that particular portion of the market," he said. "It will probably be all retail, but I wouldn't rule out a restaurant." Access to the shopping center would be made through three curb cuts along Walton Way Extension. But the already hectic road might not handle the additional traffic well, city officials say. "If you've looked at the traffic situation there, I think it's going to be pretty scary," said George Patty, Augusta's director of planning, adding that 32,000 vehicles already pass by the future development site each day. That figure is expected to rise 19 percent, or 6,000 cars, if the center is completed. The city's acting traffic engineer was consulted on the project and advised that a traffic light would be put in front of the retail center if needed. Developers agreed to foot half the bill if a traffic signal becomes necessary within five years, said Bob Austin, the city's zoning and development administrator. Mr. Powers said Hand Properties is under contract to buy the property, which is made up of several lots individually owned by Margaret Sibley Dale and Kathryn Sibley Boardman. Financial terms of the proposed deal have not been disclosed. The property extends from Walton Way Extension, where it is bordered by the Walton's Corner shopping center to the east and CitiFinancial and Walton Rehabilitation Hospital's Harison Heights community to the west. The wooded acreage, used in recent years only as a Christmas tree lot, is flanked by the Augusta Exchange's Ashley Furniture and Regal Cinemas 20. The last commercial activity in that area was last year's $5 million renovation of Walton's Corner, which is home to several businesses, the regional offices for BellSouth and the headquarters for home health provider CareSouth. Reach Adrian Burns at (706) 823-3352 or Damon Cline at (706) 823-3486.

They're building another Raising Cane's Chicken finger restaurant. There's already one on Furys Ferry and a third is supposed to be built on Deans Bridge Rd. somtime soon.

I agree. Those are going to be some really nice buildings when they get done.

Other projects inlcude the widening of Davis Rd (Walton Way EXT.) to four lanes and creating an interchange there to I-20. Also the updating the I-20 & I-520 (Bobby Jones Expressway) interchange to a spaghetti junction interchange and widening I-20 to six lanes from Bobby Jones to River Watch Parkway.

Where did you find that overview for the Villages at Riverwatch?