Part of the "THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS" initiative
Launch a citywide beautification effort that revitalizes Augusta from downtown to the connector arteries, including those between the Airport, Fort Gordon, and I-20. The recommendation combines public art, school and community cleanup programming, code enforcement, design standards, facade improvement grants, safety measures, lighting improvements, litter prevention, and partnerships with civic and neighborhood organizations. The goal is to help Augusta live up to its “Garden City” identity, improve first impressions for visitors and residents, increase community pride, and make Augusta more attractive to millennials as a place to visit, live, work, and play.
Tracks neighborhood response to beautification efforts.
Tracks education of property owners on their responsibilities.
Tracks shift from initiative funding to maintenance funding once the community catches up.
Tracks establishment of Keep Augusta Beautiful or Keep Richmond Co. Beautiful as an affiliate of Keep Georgia Beautiful.
Tracks creation of a grace period for building owners to implement design changes.
Tracks “Stormwater Category” program to improve permeability and reduce stormwater-system burden.
Tracks coordination with Augusta Council of Garden Clubs on existing projects and focus areas.
Tracks attraction of residential developers and investors.
Tracks lighting improvements throughout Downtown, especially around the convention and Riverwalk areas.
Tracks addition of call boxes for safety in targeted areas.
Tracks increased pride in property and community.
Tracks tourism and photo opportunity created by a public centerpiece.
Tracks beautification and cleanliness along connector arteries between the Airport, Fort Gordon, and I-20.
Tracks creation of a school cleanup program giving students credit for cleaning up Augusta.
Tracks citywide beautification from the outer connectors into the urban core.
Tracks attraction of new businesses.
Tracks increased walking police presence Downtown after dark.
Tracks Augusta becoming a destination for millennials to visit year-round.
Tracks hosting of the design competition.
Tracks prioritization of main thoroughfares and gateways into the city.
Tracks cleanup assistance for elderly and impoverished property owners.
Tracks use of existing codes as an economic development tool.
Tracks likely partnerships and resources listed in the report.
Tracks electronic distribution of property-maintenance information to real estate agents, mortgage offices, and neighborhood associations.
Tracks possible traffic study cost.
Tracks improved visitor impression from main roadway connectors and Downtown.
Tracks community competition or public art process for creating the symbol of Augusta.
Tracks streamlining of codes, maintenance, and unsafe-building processes.
Tracks creation of a bureau solely responsible for ensuring/enforcing codes.
Tracks creation of a public symbol of Augusta through sculpture, monument, painting, or mural.
Tracks compliance by property owners and residents with codes and laws already in place.
Tracks proposed change to Georgia law governing tax sales.
Tracks whether beautification makes guests want to stop and explore Augusta.
Tracks resident and business education program about property maintenance responsibilities.
Tracks medium-term funding range to front costs for abandoned structures, overgrown vegetation, and facade improvement.
Tracks Adopt-a-Highway partnerships with local Augusta businesses for cleanup sponsorship opportunities.
Tracks implementation of a facade improvement grant program for business owners.
Tracks placement of public art/photo opportunity in the center of Downtown Augusta.
Tracks litter prevention, fines, and community/neighborhood cleanups.
Tracks visible product from beautification efforts as a measure of success.
Tracks recurring allotment for public art.
Tracks Augusta visually living up to its “Garden City” name.
Short-term: education programs for schools and community cleanup depending on marketing strategy and materials; traffic study, if needed, approximately $3,000 per intersection. Medium-term: $6-$8 million for City of Augusta/Richmond County to front money to tear down abandoned structures, maintain overgrown vegetation, and initiate the facade improvement program; funds recovered from programs should eventually make the program self-funded; city should consider a “maintenance” line item in new road construction and streetscape projects. Long-term: recurring $500,000 allotment to public art as a starting point for beautifying the city.