Downtown property owner Julian Osbon sees Augusta Common as the catalyst for a bevy of downtown development projects bent on the beautification of the city's central business district.
He wants to start with his own building.
Mr. Osbon, who donated some property to the city for the downtown park, hopes the city will return the favor in the form of a facade grant to rework the east wall of his building facing the Common area.
The side of the old Paulmart building, which extends two-thirds of the way to Reynolds Street, was left with a jagged, uneven appearance after the adjacent building was razed.
At some point, Mr. Osbon sees loft apartments with "New Orleans-style, wrought iron-ringed" decks overlooking the park.
"I'm talking with a number of people about restaurants and shops on the lower level once it all comes together," Mr. Osbon said. "There's a lot of interest in that block."
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The Augusta Federal Savings & Loan building east of the park and the vacant building that extends north from the back of the old Paulmart have damaged facades, too.
The project's phase 1, which includes the construction of a two-story, 5,000-square-foot building near the SunTrust parking deck for public restrooms, special events office space and storage, will be completed by late September or early October, at a cost of more than $3 million.
Phase 2, still in the planning stages, could extend the park north beyond Reynolds Street, where the the Morris Museum of Art could possibly relocate. A new performing arts center might be included as part of the museum complex, Mayor Bob Young said.
"Nothing is set in stone yet," he added.
Phase 3, according to Augusta Tomorrow's 2000 Master Plan, would extend the park south through the old Kress building to Telfair Street. Phases 2 and 3 have no funding or finalized plans as of yet, but the imminent completion of phase 1 could have far-reaching economic development effects.
The JB White's department store building in the 900 block of Broad Street has received a $45,000 face lift as part of a multimillion-dollar renovation project, headed by five local investors encouraged by the Common project.
The plan is to convert the defunct four-story department store into about 50 luxury apartments.
"We believe the park will be a source of energy for other development in that area," Mr. Young said. "We're doing our part, and we're waiting for the private sector to begin."
Reach John Bankston at (706) 823-3352 or john.banks@augustachronicle.com.
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