During its meeting, the Augusta Neighborhood Improvement Corp.'s project oversight committee agreed to support the large-scale project to the tune of $750,000.

The commitment still needs the approval of ANIC's board of directors, a formality that finally would put into motion a project that, when finished, would provide a greenbelt stretching across half of the 800 block from the riverfront to Broad Street.

Phase 1 calls for the demolition of a 200-foot section of buildings along the 800 block of Broad Street to create the greenspace.

If the money is officially approved, demolition would begin in late May or early June, Augusta Planning Director George Patty said.

``We're still a little short (financially), but we're getting closer,'' Mr. Patty said.

The project is relying on $2 million from the city's 1-cent sales tax and an assortment of smaller funding sources.

Augusta Tomorrow, the biggest advocate of the Augusta Commons project, needs the financial support of ANIC so it can apply for a matching $500,000 grant from the One Georgia Authority, Mr. Patty said.

``That still leaves us about $214,000 short, but we'll get it from somewhere,'' he said.

ANIC member Robert Osborne, who is also a member of Augusta Tomorrow, said there are some details that still need to be worked out before Augusta Commons gets its money - ANIC does not give out money until there is a line-item report showing how the money will be used - but he is confident there will not be any setbacks.

``They asked for $750,000, and we gave them what they asked for,'' Mr. Osborne said. ``I think everybody's happy.''

It was in November that ANIC's board of directors elected to spend the first $10 million of a three-year, $30 million economic development grant on 10 projects, including the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, Springfield Village Park and the Augusta Canal.

The Augusta Commons project was left out.

``There was nothing on file (from Augusta Commons),'' ANIC Executive Director Robert Cooks said. ``They never applied. But the board understands how important this project is to Augusta, and working with the project oversight committee was the best way to go about making sure this gets done.''

Grant allocations

The projects selected by the Augusta Neighborhood Improvement Corp. to receive the first $10 million of a three-year $30 million economic development grant:

Housing: $3.4 million

Paine College Health Science Technology Center: $1.5 million

Biotech Medical Park: $1.1 million

Georgia Golf Hall of Fame: $1 million

Augusta Commons: $750,000

Springfield Village Park: $750,000

30901 Development Corp.: $275,000

Augusta Canal Authority: $250,000

Antioch Ministries: $250,000

Phinizy Swamp Nature Park: $250,000

CSRA Business League: $250,000

Source: Augusta Neighborhood Improvement Corp.

Reach Justin Martin at (706) 823-3552.