Part of the "SOUL CITY CONNECTORS" initiative
Develop a singularly branded path, sidewalk, and protected bike lane network connecting Augusta University campuses, the urban core, education districts, commercial districts, residential districts, parks, green spaces, and existing trail infrastructure. The proposed network includes a downtown multi-use path and protected bike lane loop connecting the Health Sciences Campus to Downtown Augusta, a longer loop connecting the Summerville and Health Sciences campuses with Harrisburg, Laney Walker, the Savannah River, and areas in between, plus a longer-term connection to Forest Hills Campus and University Village.
Tracks potential economic development spurred by the path project.
Tracks temporary bike lane network pilot.
Tracks one-day, multi-hour open streets event.
Tracks initial allocation to establish the partnership and seed nonprofit coordination, education, outreach, branding, and marketing.
Tracks physical connectivity between Augusta University campuses and Augusta’s urban core.
Tracks development of a singularly branded path, sidewalk, and protected bike lane network.
Tracks master plan with robust citizen engagement and input.
Tracks a smaller-scale demonstration project for the bike and pedestrian network.
Tracks the network serving as a major gateway between destinations.
Tracks Richmond County investment for planning department expenses and planning firm contract.
Tracks Augusta becoming more visibly bike- and pedestrian-friendly.
Tracks monthly or quarterly basis for pedestrian and bike counts.
Tracks active community identity focused on exercise and healthy living.
Tracks estimated overall construction cost for the project.
Tracks fully funded maintenance plan awarded to winning pop-up park concept.
Tracks prioritized in-town grid streets scheduled for repaving that could include bike lanes and sidewalks.
Tracks citizen engagement and input for preferred infrastructure, existing routes, and network gaps.
Tracks user adoption through pedestrian and bike counts.
Tracks complementing the planned Complete Streets renovation of the 15th Street corridor.
Tracks connection to the Augusta Canal Trail section originating in Harrisburg.
Tracks Augusta University student competition to create pop-up parks and mini green spaces.
Tracks revitalization of surrounding neighborhoods.
Tracks longer loop connecting Summerville, Health Sciences Campus, Harrisburg, Laney Walker, Savannah River, and areas in between.
Tracks creation of a citizen pedestrian-and-bicycle committee.
Tracks unity among Augusta University campuses and the urban core district.
Tracks downtown multi-use path and protected bike lane loop connecting Health Sciences Campus to Downtown Augusta.
Tracks breaking ground on and launching the bike-and-pedestrian path.
Tracks housing development around and along the path.
Tracks potential funding, resource, and partnership sources listed in the report.
Tracks business development around and along the path.
Tracks continued temporary open-space and path activations.
Tracks connection of Augusta University campuses, Paine College, and existing trail infrastructure.
Tracks formation of a public-private partnership involving Augusta University, Augusta Canal Trail, Augusta-Richmond County, and others.
Tracks the two major segments of the proposed network.
Tracks passage of a county-wide Complete Streets policy.
Tracks creation of open-space spots and temporary mini-destinations along the path.
Tracks incorporation of barrier-protected bike lanes throughout the network.
Tracks development of a full implementation plan for Complete Streets.
Initial allocation of $50,000 to establish a public-private partnership and provide seed funding for a nonprofit to coordinate education, outreach, branding, and marketing. $40,000 Richmond County investment to offset planning department time/labor and fund a planning firm contract for the master plan. Construction costs vary by segment but would likely be $5+ million overall, with some match already earmarked through ongoing projects such as Augusta Canal Trail, 15th Street Corridor, and routine repaving.