ATLANTA -- Calling Augusta a ``sleeping giant,'' Gov. Roy Barnes on Wednesday told civic leaders and lawmakers he'd work with them to help fund a $94.5 million package of capital improvements aimed at spurring economic growth.
Under a plan presented to the governor by leaders of Augusta Tomorrow Inc. and local politicians, the state is being asked to pump $30 million into the effort.
An additional $24 million would be raised locally from sources such as sales taxes; $25 million would come from private-sector donors, and $15.5 million would be added from other sources, such as federal funds and previous state grants.
``It's time for Augusta-Richmond County to become part of the economic hierarchy of Georgia,'' said Senate Majority Leader Charles Walker, D-Augusta. ``We have an opportunity to put Augusta on the map.''
Business and political leaders have been working on the economic development plan for months, but last November's election results provided Augusta with the perfect opening to seek state funding.
Mr. Walker was a major Barnes campaign fund-raiser, and Augusta residents contributed more than $300,000 to the governor's cause. On Election Day, Richmond County delivered for Mr. Barnes.
Mr. Walker also is one of Mr. Barnes' key political advisers and is carrying some of the governor's bills during the 1999 General Assembly session.
The Senate leader has been discussing state funding for the Augusta development package with Mr. Barnes for weeks.
``I am favorably disposed to work with you on a multiyear plan,'' he told Augusta leaders. ``It's an easy sell with me. The ground has been plowed before you came.''
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Click on the chart above to see a complete, larger version.STAFF
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Many of the projects are already under way, said Charles DeVaney, executive vice president of Augusta Tomorrow and former Augusta mayor.
The plan calls for:
A $10 million project to redevelop the Laney-Walker area, with the latest phase including new and rehabilitated housing.
$15 million for continuation of the Augusta Commons program downtown, providing new green space to connect the city's riverfront with Broad Street visually. The city has already committed $2 million for the project from the special purpose sales tax. Officials said the new home of the Morris Museum of Art will be located at the north end of the commons.
$5.5 million to make improvements to transportation gateways and corridors into Augusta.
$30 million for the Golf Hall of Fame. The state previously allocated $6 million to the project, and local governments have provided another $6 million, according to Mr. DeVaney.
Construction of Springfield Village Park, at a cost of $6 million. The park and the planned museum are designed to convey the historic importance of the site, which houses Springfield Baptist Church, the oldest continuously meeting black church in the nation and the birthplace of Augusta Institute, which later moved to Atlanta and became Morehouse College.
$8 million toward a new gymnasium and health sciences center at Paine College. The state has rarely funded construction of private college buildings, although it has provided tuition aid to the students who attend schools like Paine.
$4.5 million to complete the South Augusta Sports Complex, which would serve as the venue for both soccer and baseball for the 1999 Georgia Games.
$5 million for a multiuse community facility and pavilion at the Lock and Dam Recreation Area.
$10.5 million for the Merry Ponds World Class Rowing Regatta Venue.
The timetable for completing the projects is two to three years, officials said. Mr. Walker indicated the first state funding probably would be considered during the 2000 General Assembly session, which begins next January.
The governor told them improving city life and infrastructure is a key to slowing urban sprawl. Mr. Barnes chided Augusta Mayor Bob Young for his critical remarks about the administration's plan to set up a transportation authority to deal with sprawl in cities with air quality problems, such as Augusta.
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The Georgia Golf Hall of Fame is one of the many area projects that will benefit.BRANT SANDERLIN/STAFF
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Mr. Young has said he wants Augusta left out of the statewide authority, which is expected to be voted on by the Georgia House today.
``This is all part of the package,'' Mr. Barnes said.
James Salzer is based in Atlanta and can be reached at (404) 589-8424 or mnews@mindspring.com.
Projects
Current redevelopment projects proposed and under way
Merry Ponds World Class Rowing Regatta Venue
The proposal, devised prior to 1996 as a way to attract Olympic rowing competition to Augusta, would transform portions of the scenic Merry Brickyard ponds off Laney-Walker Boulevard into a national rowing venue. The $10.5 million estimated price tag would include $5 million in local funds, $4 million from state sources, $500,000 from the private sector and $1 million in other sources, such as grants. The Merry Ponds are linear strip mine pits, some more than a century old. Today the area is home to thousands of ducks and migratory waterfowl, as well as a popular fishing area. The site is owned by Merry land Properties Inc., and lies adjacent to the Phinizy Swamp Wildlife Management Area, a 1,500-acre public hunting and recreation site.
Augusta Commons
The centerpiece of an ambitious downtown redevelopment plan unveiled in 1995 by Augusta Tomorrow Inc., a semiprivate downtown development partnership, Augusta Commons is envisioned as an oval-shaped park reaching from the riverfront across Reynolds Street to Broad Street, where a major retail complex would be built. On one side of Augusta Commons, along the riverfront, the new Morris Museum of Art building would serve as an anchor. The city has already committed $2 million for the project, while the state will be asked for $3 million. The museum would involve about $10 million in private investment, and the parklike open areas along the Commons are expected to attract shops, restaurants and entertainment facilities.
Lock & Dam Recreation Area
Flanked by lush swamp and the meandering Savannah River, the 52-acre New Savannah Bluff Park is already under the city's management as a public recreation area. Most recently, a $1.5 million renovation financed jointly by the city and the Army Corps of Engineers restored the vintage locks at New Savannah Bluff, once again allowing boat traffic to move between Augusta and the coast. Now the city hopes to add a major community center and pavilion, much like similar facilities, such as Columbia County's Savannah Rapids Pavilion. The total cost is estimated at $5 million, to be split evenly between the city and the state.
Paine College Gymnasium and Health Sciences Center
Paine College needs to replace its antiquated gymnasium and construct a new health sciences building. The two facilities would cost $8 million, with $3.5 million coming from the state and $4.5 million being raised by the school through grants and the private sector. The new gym will be used by the entire community and will be available to the public for non-college functions. Construction of the buildings will provide temporary and permanent new jobs and will help stabilize the school's inner-city neighborhood.
Georgia Golf Hall of Fame
A $30 million attraction celebrating golf and its long history in Augusta, the 17-acre project occupies riverfront property between 12th and 13th streets. Construction has begun on the gardens portion of the development, with $9.5 million in private contributions having been raised locally to complete it later this year. Although the local government has already contributed $6 million, and the state has given an additional $6 million, project backers are requesting an additional $5 million in state money.
Laney-Walker Redevelopment Area
Once the center of black commerce in Augusta, officials are hoping to boost business activity on Laney-Walker Boulevard with streetscape improvements from Seventh Street to the Medical College of Georgia. The $10 million project, which includes $4.5 million for construction of phase two of the Armstrong Galleria shopping center at Eighth Street and Laney-Walker. Phase one of Armstrong Galleria, whose main anchor store is Gurley's Supermarket, was constructed about three years ago with previous government funding.
Springfield Village Park
The $6 million plan to turn a vacant lot near the Springfield Baptist Church into a park dedicated to black history has raised about $500,000 in private money and an additional $500,000 in funding from the city. The park's developers are asking for $3 million to help break ground this year. Jackson, Person and Associates of Memphis, Tenn., have designed a master plan for the park.
Gateways and corridors
Ten main entrances to Augusta have been targeted for beautification to help attract new business and tourism in this $5.5 million project. The city, which will fund $2.5 million, wants $2 million from the state and another $1 million from the Georgia Department of Transportation. Earlier this month, city officials submitted an application for $96,000 in federal highway dollars to study improvements on a six-mile section of Gordon Highway and Peach Orchard Road.
