Part of the "THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS" initiative
Create a Downtown Hub targeting millennials by strengthening existing Downtown Augusta assets, especially around Augusta Commons, Broad Street, and the Riverwalk. The recommendation adds new amenities such as a unique playground, bike share program, and public market; enhances monthly First Friday programming; encourages breweries through open container and zoning changes; and creates a stronger cultural and recreational destination that attracts millennials to visit, live, work, and play in Augusta.
Tracks exploration of physical and financial options for a riverside or Downtown playground.
Tracks percent growth in overnight hotel stays within the City of Augusta.
Tracks number and type of social media posts about Downtown Augusta.
Tracks new capital investment and development expenditures in Downtown Augusta.
Tracks exploration and implementation of bikeway types and routes.
Tracks anticipated bike share program budget per mile.
Tracks creation of a new, unique playground near Augusta Commons.
Tracks securing partnerships and grants for Downtown property renovation.
Tracks increased customer traffic in Downtown Augusta.
Tracks increased millennial tourism through open-container ordinance changes and breweries Downtown.
Tracks identification of properties and redevelopment areas in Downtown for a public market.
Tracks creation of a Downtown business district organization board of directors.
Tracks the specific code section identified for open-container review.
Tracks number of people using the bike share program.
Tracks Downtown zoning ordinance changes for craft beer brewing.
Tracks the three amenities serving as anchors for the Downtown hub.
Tracks sense of place and fellowship Downtown and on the River.
Tracks increased average attendance of community events in Downtown Augusta.
Tracks likely organizations assigned responsibility for additional amenities.
Tracks Eventbrite research finding that millennials surveyed had attended an event in the past year.
Tracks Robert W. Woodruff Foundation Grant Program funding range.
Tracks maintaining monthly First Friday festivals.
Tracks creation of a Downtown Hub around Augusta Commons with amenities that attract and retain millennials.
Tracks Eventbrite research finding that surveyed millennials planned to increase spending on event attendance.
Tracks rezoning Downtown for open containers.
Tracks percent of total City of Augusta population aged 25 to 44.
Tracks implementation of a bike share program Downtown.
Tracks specific playground funding sources listed in the report.
Tracks projected minimum playground budget.
Tracks the three core Downtown Hub amenities proposed in the report.
Tracks construction of the public market.
Tracks increased millennial attendance at First Friday Festival.
Tracks organizations proposed to manage the bike share program.
Tracks playground capacity.
Tracks increased foot traffic in Downtown Augusta.
Tracks percent growth in sales tax revenue from Downtown Augusta businesses.
Tracks possible bike share partnership with Columbia County.
Tracks percent growth of City of Augusta population between ages 25-44.
Tracks increased millennial residency in Augusta/Richmond County.
Tracks adjustment of the open carry container policy.
Tracks unique festival themes with visiting vendors and live music.
Tracks increased growth in retail, cuisine, and attractions.
Tracks construction of the playground.
Tracks cultural and business impacts from continuing and expanding First Friday.
Tracks drafting of the strategic plan for a bike share program.
Tracks breweries establishing themselves Downtown.
Tracks increased millennial visitation to Augusta/Richmond County.
Tracks organizations recommended to manage the playground project.
Tracks creation of a Downtown public market as a gathering place for local fresh food and community activity.
Short-term: discuss viable investments for each organization; possible traffic study not listed for this recommendation. Medium-term: bike share program anticipated at $130,000 per mile, with Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau managing the project with Augusta Parks and Recreation, funded by Federal Highway Administration Transportation Alternative Program and community grants. Long-term: playground projected minimum budget of $315,000 and provides park space for fifty children; funding options include Appalachian Regional Commission Grant, Robert W. Woodruff Foundation Grant Program, Wells Fargo Corporate Giving Grant, Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation Awards, and KaBOOM! The Downtown Development Authority is proposed to champion public market expansion.