Chapter 3- Downtown Augusta
Downtown Augusta is the center of commerce for the CSRA region and it the 3rd most important Downtown in Georgia, outside of Atlanta and Savannah. Not being a tourist destination, nor a corporate stepping stone, Downtown Augusta has lacked an image to attach itself to and differentiate itself from others. The mixed economic approach has found turmolous waters with the lack of purchasing power in most of the CSRA and the lack of private sector industry has created a Downtown that survives off of the flow of money from the nation to the city, instead of the neighborhood of circulating capital and merchants that find their incomes constantly flowing through each others shops, cash balances, inventories, supplies and services.
Downtown Augusta is shaped like a long rectangle. Broad Street was originally built as a road fro retail, being built very long straight and wide, the second widest street Downtown in America. The agricultural based economy of the Pre-world War 2 period allowed a lot of activity in the rural regions in the perimeter of Downtown and the lack of any office/retail space at the time showed the alignment of a Downtown into the economy of a region. Both places complemented each other and the city advanced at a rapid pace in this massive time of growth for the Western World.
With no agricultural based economy (We have went form about 90% of our labor force working on farms to about 1-2%) Downtown Augusta struggled to push into the crowded growth of other cities that made larger sacrifices and more insightful decisions to future growth. Atlanta demolished basically all of its older structures, brought in foreign business at rapid rates and rolled the dice on large projects such as the Olympics, Coca-Cola expanding and the construction of the worlds largest airport. The dice were being shaken in Atlanta and the skilled throws of that cities buinsessman and leaders yielded favorable resutls.
A smaller and more local comparision to Augusta's Dwonton developmetn and that of Aiken is also notable. Aiken decided early to play the card of retiring yankees coming down South to embrace the land, low taxes and a slower lifestyle. Aiken's Downtown moved from one of general commerece and mixed to one of consumption. The retirement accounts that were saved and earned in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C and Boston are being liquidated and used in Aiken. The shops in Aiken reflect this by having mroe merchants on average than Augusta's dwontown and by being a Downtown renovated for a shopping experience.
Another example is Savannah and its Downtown. Being in similar shapes in the 60's, Savannah and Augusta stood in very similar psotiions with an increasing drug problem, crime and the most pressing issue, blight. Both cities had a large economy in the agrictultrual period and the stock of real estate represnted this use. The large warehouses near the river, the row style homes around factories and the barrack style housing projects dotted the city and must have provided a serious dilemma to planners of the time. There was no guarantee that Savannah, or Augusta would make it. The flight of capital and busienss to the permiters of the city made a situation with no seeming end in sight. When in times of change, leadership and a cohesive unit are needed. Savannah decided to save its old stock of real estate, renovate it and become a tourist based Downtown. The warehouses are being converted to urban markets, the mills are being converted into rich apartments and condos (kind of ironic, considering people who lived in the Mill itself were considered some of the lowest on the social ladder).
Augusta did not find a united approach for downtown. With the secular circumstance of 2 shopping malls oepngin up and the constant growth and attraction of capital investments into the perimeter, Downtown Augus
(A beautiful scene of amber and white light on 9th street looking towards Broad from the river. To have a swinging night life for residents is a huge plus for Downtown. Downtown has always been a place of entertainment for those who work outside of the city and Downtown Augusta needs to first meet that need as the place for entertainment in the CSRA)
The citizens of Augusta call their urban core, or Central Business District, Downtown. The word Downtown is a physical boundary, but most natives consider the surrounding neighborhoods as Downtown also. The word Downtown as a business meaning is simply 5th to 13th street on Broad Street, Reynolds, Greene and Telfair.
The CBD itself is in the traditional manner that the English laid out the majority of their North American cities. The inner streets run straight and parallel to other streets that in in the same direction. The cities make boxes of spaces where people spend their time. When they are stacked on top of each other you cut down on the barriers of interaction that encourage innovation. The high density needs of service sector jobs in the highly advanced and growing sectors have the bare bone in Augusta. The view is not impeded by much obstacles and to see all the way up the street is good on many accounts, namely for consumer vision and for safety perception. The view is always present to the maximum amount of people and only good business can exist in areas with such constant watching over of fellow citizens.
The Savannah River- The Savannah river is large river that flows from the Savannah River Basin in North Carolina. It flows down the fall line and cuts through wilderness before going into the ocean in a mix of fresh and saltwater in Savannah. The Savannah River was the center of English settlement in Georgia and South Carolina during the revolutionary period. Both Augusta and Savannah were founded by James Oglethorpe. He walked from the boat, supposedly in-between 8th and 9th street and declared this land to become Augusta and where he stood the center. The statue in the Augusta Commons of Oglethorpe marks the spot.
The TEE center- This is Augusta's trade, event and exhibition center. It is brand new and was constructed with a cost of around 40 million dollars the Center was built with Public and private investment with a parking deck across the street. Coupled with the Marriott hotels and the proximity to Broad Street and appropriate tourist businesses this is a big thing for Augusta's economy. The terms of use and agreement for profits and losses between the Marriott and the city seem to be very favorable to the Marriott and bad for the city.
The Train Depot- This is a medium sized train station set in the 1800's, I believe. It has a new roof after asbestos concerns and is owned by the city. It is on the riverfront, being less than 60 yards from the Savannah River. The Train Station sits on the corner of the business section of Downtown and the other side marks the beginning of the Residential side of Downtown. The Train Depot should yield somethign soon, with its new roof and fair price I imagine the city is going to sell it for. I think that it would do well becoming a small retail strip, or something like that. Tenants like Subway, Burger King and other common stores should find a good place here, the river walk traffic will undoubtedly fuel sales, as well as South Carolina customers, who are very close to the Train Depot. The ramp will allow a place to sit and eat, or a stroll down the river is a feasible option. It is perfect for the consumer, very family friendly.
(The restored Train Station)
Augusta Commons- this is the area in Augusta where large outdoor events happen Downtown. It is the frequent spot of concerts, "First Friday" and "Arts in the Heart". The Augusta Commons, or "The Commons" is a green space in Downtown Augusta. Soon to be bordered by a Sprint urban food market and already bordered by many restaurants, this area has a diverse set of dining, both in price and in different origin. Also being next to the few skyscrapers of Augusta, there is a decent amount of genuine foot traffic. This is the area that George Oglethorpe walked out of the boat and announced the chartering of the city of Augusta. Plenty of open spaces around The Commons should allow for growth and fuel events being planned here. The Commons is Downtown Augusta's best park, it should be looked at for those locating on Broad Street. Also new events will find a very large market to reach to from the CSRA, being Downtown is central to 700,000 people. A major event in the Commons is feasible for bringing people from all over Augusta Downtown.
(The Augusta Commons)
(A view of Springfield Park on a Sunny, hot looking, Georgia day)
Sacred Heart Cultural Center- This a Catholic style Cathedral that now is an event center. Mainly used for Wedding and private events. It is a nationally registered landmark and open to public viewing sometimes. It is one of the most beautiful structures in Augusta Georgia and is of many denominations on Greene Street. This brings a unique center to Augusta and will undoubtedly contribute to the restoration of Greene Street. I think this site should be more accommodated to tourists, as it is often a site to see while in Augusta, but off on a slightly less beaten path.
(Hard to believe this is in Georgia, it looks very European)
The Morris Museum of Art- is one of few Southern art themed Museums in America. Admission is very cheap and the art is high quality. Free entrance is allowed on Sundays, something I take advantage of frequently. The sub-themes of the museum include Southern Landscape, Civil War artwork, Southerners Antebellum Portraits, Contemporary and Slave Southern Impressionism. Many of the painters are from New Orleans, Charlotte, Savannah, New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C and Richmond Virginia. nThe Museum is located on the River-walk and next to the Marriott's. The Morris has a very nice surrounding with the River, the landscaped River-walk and a pleasant atmosphere. The area is growing fast and the Morris should benefit off of increased traffic generally in the area and more planned trips as Downtown becomes more feasible to tourists, as the Hotels, convention centers, restaurants and food markets are suggesting and pulling by their own demand. The Museum has 120,000 visitors estimated annually and has over 3,000 pieces.
(The Entrance to the Morris, my favorite museum)
(This is my favorite painting at "The Morris". It is 4 feet high and 10 feet long, it is called "Canidates for the Horse Show", by John Martin Tracy)
St. Paul's Church- is a Church located next to the train depot on the corner of the commercial part of Downtown and Old Town (A neighborhood bordering Downtown). This church is the site of one of the first Augusta establishments and is a site of music events and general events coinciding with river-walk events. It offers a great Southern vibe to it with grave markings going back to the 1700's. This church shall help to make the river-walk experience. A restoration of the grounds would be nice and more accessible to tourists should be preferred also. This is the beginning of the River-walk experience for many being the entry point and should be very landscaped and clean to reflect that. Also the musical events at the church need to be more open to the public. This shall reflect the beginning of Augusta and will become a central historic site if the immediate area picks up and can mutually landscape and clean the immediate area. The development of the Railroad department should coincide with St Paul's also. A park would increase attendance, public interest and economic impact that this site will have.
(St. Paul's Church form the front entrance view, there are graves here from the 1700's)
River-walk- The River-walk is a stone and brick pathway along the Savannah River for public use. It is very scenic with mature landscaping and the view it provides of the Savannah River. The River-walk has many historical markers showing the important aspects of Augusta's history. Their are two plazas dedicated to Augusta's sister cities, Takarazuka, Japan and Biarritz, France. The River-walk has a small amount of room for expansion of the path and there is plenty of room for future skyscrapers or Residential units in the future for those who want a nice view of the river.
(The Takarazuka Japanese pocket garden on the river-walk Augusta can emphasize areas like this to fill in its lack of international culture in a new area. Augusta could do a small profile on the city of Takarazuka, or include a computer that has a camera that allows us to talk to random Takarazuka citizens are some fun ideas. The garden itself is small and wonderful. There are several varieties of Japanese Maples in the area and sound of the water trickling is relaxing)
(The River-walk in one of its prettiest points. I call the stone Franklin stone because I imagine it is the kind that was in Boston and Philadelphia paving the roads for Benjamin Franklin)
The Augusta Commons
(Lafayette Square, my favorite urban park in Augusta. It shows a lot of French design and has the feel of energy and a vibe of commerce that lacks across the spread of Downtown. Areas like this need to be exploited to the max, by using it for cultural events, upgrading the currently uncomfortable benches and maybe adding some small statues or public artwork. This would be an excellent place to have a mural, maybe of the great Lafayette himself. Augusta could make this the 2nd urban space dedicated to our national ally France and our sister sister, Baritz, France)
(Augusta has a whole section of sports for the river and for those who work out, or are concerned about their athletics, their is plenty of options to do in the river. River sports are a lot safer than physical contact sports for older people and for woman. The river is also another soothing and connecting feature of nature for the Augusta citizen)
(The Downtown restaurant scene is the best in the CSRA. The restaurants and bars are the backbone of most of Broad Street. the occurrence of trips downtown are greatly increased with a place to sit down and enjoy some food. The old and historical feel of the buildings add to the experience and feel of being in the city. The cost of running a restaurant in Augusta is comparable to most markets in the South-East)
(This is what many of the bars on broad look like, colorful and vivacious)
(The Augusta- Richmond County Library, the main office. This library has computer labs, meeting areas and an array of modern print media. They have the usual collection of reference section, non-fiction and fiction, but also act as a depository for Augusta Art and community donations)
(Augusta has some strip clubs. They are not advisable to go into and I think they could really do with an upgrade and a move to one of the side streets, or maybe to another side of town in entirety. These places being a lot of social costs in the perception they bring to the cities brand, the real estate value of businesses that cannot operate next to a strip club and the atmosphere that strippers and the daily consumers of the stripping service are detrimental to daily commerce. While I personally have beliefs that do not matter in this case, we need to show the older and more conservative people that we are serious in making this an area of business and not sin. As New York City conquered their strip club problem and still have decent stripping establishments, Augusta can do the same. I am not at all advocating the removal of their business license or other means, but saying that these establishments do best congregated and somewhat off the main exposure, moral reasons are included, but those moral reasons have economic implementations vastly over the usual right to do business anywhere it is economically feasible)
Theatres, Auditoriums, Convention Centers, Sports Complex etc...
The Lamar/Sun trust/Wells Fargo Buildings-
This is the sky scraper scene for Augusta. I know these three buildings well, not only for looking in for an office, but as a child and looking at them. They are the closest thing we have to New York, Chicago and Atlanta. These 3 sky scrapers are indicative of Americas diverse architecture culture and development. You have one built in a European style, completed in 1916, one all glass, built in the 60's and one with a streaked window design, meant to reduce sunlight for heating and cooling, modern day energy efficiency in the 60's.
To be a lawyer accountant or many other professional classes and be in one of these three building is the default option. The image is important to upkeep not only in the eye of the client, but also in the mind of the professional. There is nothing like working in one of the tallest buildings downtown To go back to your home and see it from your window still or to drive past it frequently yields thoughts that reinforce the role we play as professionals. As they say to go to certain places to do certain things, the tall buildings in the city always seem to be reserved for the Ego's and image of the professionals. Even the nae professionals denote this.
Artists Row- This is a strip of restored historical building on Broad Street that has a lot of restaurants and apartments There is a very high demand for apartments with million dollar condos in the J. B Whites Building to the restoration of many just about anything developers can get their hands on. Currently rents are every high and non-negotiable in this area. Many units are being brought to the market daily and this strip should contribute to the foot traffic greatly with their many small businesses. This area is unique in Downtown by being buffered on all sides from the more violent and poor surrounding neighborhoods of Downtown, making it attractive as residential to many higher end consumers who want to live in a safe community. The Artist shops also contribute to the culture of the city greatly by being the sustaining step in an Artists lifestyle. There is a market for the art also with the purchasing power of the retirees of the area.
The shops, studios and galleries on Artist Row are a strong platform for future growth in retailing arts in Augusta. There is a strong growth in the country for original paintings and art on the lower income side of art consumers and these shops do well to provide the common man (I am speaking of under $1,000,000 income) with plenty of choice, very affordable of some very time consuming and creative works. Augustinian artists are not famous usually and have to work hard to create and sell their works. With cost of living in Augusta being low they can create art and live in this small sector of Augusta in good harmony. The fostering of Augusta's Art sector is pronounced further through its events, such as the Westobou Festival and Arts in the Heart, giving this small sector plenty of opportunity for future growth simply by meeting the current demands for these shows. I have been in all of these art shops and personally talked to many of the owners and there is no doubt that these shops are in good fiscal shape and should expand if the areas bordering it can improve somewhat, namely 3-4 blocks East on Broad Street.
(Left-to-Right- Misty Night at Sacred Heart, by Margaret Ann Smith, Sonata, by Sandra Whittaker and Koi, by Lou Ann Zimmerman)
These art shops also are a window into authentic and domestic Augusta art. The style of "Augusta Art" usually shows the painters rural background with landscape portraits and simple scenes of nature. The natural world is heavily shown in works by the professionals, who sell their work in these shops, down the street from the Gertrude Institute of Art, which has scenic pictures from 6 year old throughout the CSRA. The artwork sold here is a direct export of Augusta and maybe is better understood if thought about in Medieval city-state terms. These shops make items that may appear in a wealthy merchants shop anywhere throughout the world. They may end up in museums public buildings or on private hands. These paintings will always have the tie to Augusta and will always have been influenced by it.
Artist Row has the chance and opportunity to grow into a great place for the occupations of fine art, as they usually attract to the most New York looking place in a city, and to provide superb living conditions for regular residents. The high end lofts and restored apartments are strongest in this area and this trend will not end. Artist Row already has a spark and momentum all the way from the mid 90's and will continue to grow into hopefully the first fully occupied real estate market downtown.
Artist Row plays an important part in First Friday and has 2 events hosted yb the business partners that make up Artist Row, Apres Market and the Riverfront Arts Festival. Events always provide economic catalysts, more ntworkds for artists, painters and consumers and added culutre development to the city.
The members of Artist Row include the following-
- Artistic Perceptions
- Art on Broad
- Gallery on the Row
- OddFellows Gallery
- Tire City Potters
- Zimmerman Gallery
(A strip of some of the hottest real estate in Augusta, an upcoming area that present the real opportunity of doubling in value in 10 years and doubling rent value in a similar time)
(The wide sidewalks and large windows are great for the retail industry and small specialized shops that otherwise would flop, can find a market here on artists row. It is almost impossible to run a full time gallery without a good retail presence and the situation of Augusta's real estate market, you can set up shop in prime area like this for an amazingly low rate. The low hanging fruit seems to be present in this area for independent artists, who will need a cheap place to sell their art, a cheap place to live and an in a place where they do not need a car for work or social reasons)
(2 photos looking down the strip of Artist Row. This is one of the most vibrant and electric parts of Downtown Augusta. It is a frequent spot for people drinking and having a good time. There is a Wild West feel to this area from the old buildings, the alcohol being served and consumed so freely and the constant action of people around you. There are high income people eating next to low income and they generally get along very well. This is strangely one of the only places in Downtown Augusta that is suitable for most people, due to safety issues)
(River Birches line the streets of Broad Street, a rare tree for the branding of Downtown, as a tree is sometimes a symbol of the city or state, such as palm trees for South Carolina and Cypresses in Savannah. River Birches are appropriate for the river sense, but there are few other associations with the usual Southern garden. I think we should leave them be, but future trees could be one uniform and adopted through Augusta as a symbol. A tree native and indicative to the area should do well. the birch does not have enough strength in its image, a Southern Magnolia would do well for the branding of the city, as they are huge in leaf and in trunk and grow enormous in our climate)
(Rock Bottom Music, this business recently moved out of Downtown Augusta, citing the crime, atmosphere of panhandling and homelessness and lack of city involvement in trying to spark the Downtown economy. Many businesses will say that, but I think they were to big for Downtown, who's retail will have to be small and efficient operations. They also had some high prices and are in a secular declining industry. Downtown will miss this business from its foot traffic appeal, to it keeping its building clean and well displayed with appropriate signage to the jobs it offered. Downtown Augusta is on such a short margin of error that a snowball caused by a business like this one moving out can become a block exodus. The reasons this business was unsuccessful needs to be learned and addressed in detail. The owner and staff can give advice to city planners and other businessman in the area about what best to do and how to help the economy of Augusta, at least just from a point of view based on anecdotal experience)
(A new entry into the retail scene of broad Street, Elduets Treasures. The contents of this story appeal to the modern urban hippy. There are decorations, sculptures, coffee and other small knick knacks that can are easy adds to the decor of the consumers house. The particular style and merchandise is chosen with this consumer in mind and it is one of the rare places where this new consumer class can be satisfied. These shops are part retail, part historical experiences and part social. All together if the shop owners of these kind of establishments work on all of those fronts, they will survive and thrive more the competition)
The Enterprise Mill- This is a mixed used facility with apartments and businesses renting out spaces. The complex as a whole is very clean and renovated. It is an old textile Mill right on the Augusta Canal and has an extremely old feel to it. The rent is very affordable and the complex has maintained a good clientele Many of the businesses are small accountant, law and technology firms. This is a good place for small professionals businesses that want a large building to work in, but not a skyscraper. This is a very professional place and businesses operating here would have to adhere to the professional code, I imagine.
Museums
Augusta Canal Heritage Center- This is a small museum like exhibit over the Augusta Canal, built in 1845 and providing the city with industrial infrastructure for the boom of manufacturing that would come for the next 120 years. The Canal was one of the most ambitious undertakings of the city and its businessman. The work and stimulus created was enough to build the original Laney neighborhood with canal workers brought from all over the world, one of Augusta's first real international migrations. This is attached to the Enterprise Mill and adds to the buildings restored features and is the beginning of a Canal tour of Augusta, one of the funner attractions to see wildlife and some hard to drive to parts of Downtown. The Heritage Center is the future of small museums, specialized in a single area about a single subject, the Augusta Canal. The center also must be fun to live next to, as it is in the Enterprise Mill, which has some nice restored units, usually requiring a waiting list,
The Lucy Craft Laney Museum- This is a home museum for an early Black educator who was important for the freed population of Augusta adjust to non-agriculture jobs. The school started with a handful of students in basements and spread today to the high school, named after Laney, next to this museum.
The Augusta Museum of History- This is a medium sized museum showcasing Augusta's past from days of Indian civilizations to the Modern Age and James Brown passing in 2006. The Museum is very spacious, has some interesting pieces in medical history and the civil war history of the area in particular and can usually be seen without a crowd to bother your viewing of the items and exhibits. Tickets are only $5 and a trip usually takes about 90 minutes to see everything. The museum is important in the cultural preservation of Augusta's history in holding the artifacts and records from Augusts earliest days. The historic feel and appeal is Augusta's most feasible way to brand their city, this museum is doing more than its part to ensure the cycle and atmosphere of historic Augusta is present. This museum also has a lot of fine Southern art themed on Augusta landmarks and points in history.
The Morris Museum of Art- is one of few Southern art themed Museums in America. Admission is very cheap and the art is high quality. Free entrance is allowed on Sundays, something I take advantage of frequently. The sub-themes of the museum include Southern Landscape, Civil War artwork, Southerners Antebellum Portraits, Contemporary and Slave Southern Impressionism. Many of the painters are from New Orleans, Charlotte, Savannah, New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C and Richmond Virginia. nThe Museum is located on the River-walk and next to the Marriott's. The Morris has a very nice surrounding with the River, the landscaped River-walk and a pleasant atmosphere. The area is growing fast and the Morris should benefit off of increased traffic generally in the area and more planned trips as Downtown becomes more feasible to tourists, as the Hotels, convention centers, restaurants and food markets are suggesting and pulling by their own demand. The Museum has 120,000 visitors estimated annually and has over 3,000 pieces.
(The Entrance to the Morris, my favorite museum)
(This is my favorite painting at "The Morris". It is 4 feet high and 10 feet long, it is called "Canidates for the Horse Show", by John Martin Tracy)
Gertrude Institute of Art- This is a art museum that is also dedicate to keeping the artist atmosphere of Augusta up through classes and showcasing works of artists. This is on of two art museums in Augusta with the Morris being the second. This is on a great strip right next to other historical sites and will serve tourists well in the 10-15 years I think will be necessary to sustain a good tourist track around Downtown Augusta's perimeter.
(The building once belonged to an early Augusta Mayor and was finished in 1818 with a total cost of $40,000. THe detailed and ornate strcutre of the home was heavuly scrutnized during construction with the mayor supervising parts of it himself. The symmetry and order of the building was appealing and would draw crowds from all over Georgia and South Carolina to see the home. The diversity of architecture adn grand scale comeplted in this time period all over America spoke of the economic boom that has been this country and the heavy ties to Europe, albeit Italy for this particula buildings influence)
The Boyhood home of Woordw Wilson- The President to lead us into World War 1 and the Federal Reserve had some of his boyhood in Augusta, Georgia, right on 7th and Greene Street. Woodrow Wilson witnessed racial division, strict religion and an otherwise orderly city in Augusta. He heard news of South CArolina Succeeding and of Abraham Lincons assasination in front of this house and his father was a preacher at the church across the street. The Wilsons lived in a above average house and lived a good life during their stay here. Woodrow also had a residence period in Columbia, South Carolina, an hour or so away from Augusta
The Boyhood home of Joseph Lamar- Neighboring the future president of the United States was an associate justice of the supreme court. Joseph Lamar, whom the Lamar Building, the tallest building in Augusta ,is named after. Lamar was a humble and true Southerner, graduating UGA and going on to do work natioanlly, but he always would visit family in the area and return books to some of his old neighbors.
Markets Downtown- Downtown has a farmer market on its Southern border of Laney Walker and 4th street, it is a small market with some basic food and produce and is not up to par with what it could be. The location is horrible and the vendors are unmoitvated and not seeming to be very entrprenuirial. The vendors do seem to be able to be there consistenly and to have a cheap way to get inventory. If they moved this market directly onto Broad there would be a much larger market in just the walkng pedetrians and many who do not know the old location can easily find a new spot with a numbered street and main street, like 7th and Broad.
On saturdays, Cotton Row and some other vendors througout Downtown, open to serve food, sell produce and other goods. The street vendor is a northeast concept and way of doing business and has not caught on in Augusta. The convinecy of not having to go to a brick and mortar location, the speed of service and the usualy cheap food allows a good space in the choice of foods Downtown.
Olde Towne- Olde Towne is the most picturesque and architecturally pleasing places in Augusta. showcasing a plethora of desings, rangin from Federal to Victorian to Mediteranean this neighbrohood has some beautiful homes. This is Augusta First neighborhood, matching the grid style and pattern drawn out for Augusta and Savannah with residence square away from the commercial sector of the city. This neighborhood has many homes over 100 years old, with many more right at 100 due to a fire 97 years ago that decimated the neighborhood and encouraged a lot of constuction in a short time period.
There are nice and wide sidewalks on both sides of the roads and in 2 medians in this neighbroood, making it extremely walkable. There are no grcoery stores or shops directly in the vicinty of the neighbrohood and there is a feeling of being on the edge of the cities downtown becasue of a lack of traffic, as there is little through traffic in this area for such an urban location.
Olde Town still has had many of the problems outlined in this report regarding crime in Augusta, Georgia. In the 1980's Olde town was hit hard by the crack epidemic, which was happening right on its borders, which have a lot of housing projects. Crime in Olde Town has been steadily decreasing and the sound of sawmills and of a younger crowd are becoming more prominent, but it is still years away from attracting the level of saftey of Martinez/Evans, Aiken and rural subdivision and historic neighborhoods.
Olde Town represents one of the best real estate investing opportunities in Augusta. With the trend of demolishing and reducing public housing and a preference for living closer to work will increase future demand for housing in this area. The picturesque scenes and affordable historic homes offer an important mix to Augusta's historical appeal. Olde Town should benefit well off of growth in a professional class also.
The lack of stores, good schools and close proximity to very high crime areas like Eastbound are the main problems here, turning many new families away from the neighborhood. Olde Town, is personally, where I would like to live if a young, child free professional with business throughout the CSRA, it is central, rising in value and close to my consumption choices (restaurants, library, bars and places to walk)
Harrisburg-
Summerville-
Turpin Hill/South Turpin Hill-
Downtown consumer perception and associations
One issue of the perception is people who may think that the criminal element is actually overstated vastly and that it is inherently safe for most people to travel and go there. I agree with these people and I think it so that most of the people who travel Downtown need only to exercise common sense. I do try and take the viewpoint of others though, and find many problems that would exist in the consumer of modern day America and Metro Augusta.
The older residents of Augusta do not even need that much of a reason to go Downtown at these events. The events that are marketed to them are usually at daytime and not when at night, when the perception of crime and the actual commitment of crime increases.
Many residents in Columbia County have the attitude and view that they are better than people in Richmond County, being an older county, a "Blacker" county and almost half as wealthy, per capita, as Columbia County, the differences are concreted in the mind of both group of citizens. This rift creates a "wall" of social cohesion. The division and segregation of citizens into these polarized groups in not good for the economy and creates a lot of social problems. The contrast between Columbia and Richmond County add to the perception, as a problem is outlined and underscored further if it is "standing out of line". The vast differences in the populace adds skills and economic ideas to the city, but with a line formed out of color, income or residence, many negative connations are formed to reinforce the bad feelings and the feeling of separation from the "common man" further deteriorates the connections in the economic mix that makes value (Land, Labor, Capital, Entrepreneurship).
This view may be held, juts as a competitive, joking manner, but some take it serious and they do not want to be around people of the income of Augustinians. They find their fashion, attitude or an infinite number of things unpleasing and just want to distance themselves from them.
North Augusta is very important to Downtown Augusta and the perception of the safety of Downtown Augusta is not wholly impeding of them vising. North Augusta citizens actually may have a better view and understanding of Downtown's safety than any other group, since they are so close and physically visit enough to be affected and see change. The comparisons and choices between the small town retail and shops of North Augusta and the aged Downtown shops provide a good consumer experience and represents the movement to and from that will benefit Downtown if replicated on other corridors into the city, but namely the crime ridden southern border of Downtown, tat connects South Augustinian consumers to downtown business. The movement of large amounts of people creates safety and one of the ways to fight crime and the perception of crime Downtown would be to try and funnel more people Downtown. There is safety in numbers and the nature of city business requires a constant presence of the public. Office workers and consumers should feel slightly more comfortable walking around Downtown, at night or day, if there is an abundance of people around them. Crowds deter crime and make criminal activity harder to commit successfully.
The dreary and abandoned feeling of many parts of Downtown are some of the dead weight that is keeping the economic ship down. Not only do they not produce any value for the economy of Augusta and its participants, but it is a pull on money from the perception of crime and the abatement of it. The abandoned feeling comes from the old age of the structures, rapid changes and movement s of capital through the city that gave the business a place to go to and the secular features of suburban center of retail and residence. Downtown Augusta was absolutely desolate at one point and the modern day perception exists from that feeling, which is wholly separate then the actual crime committed and the affect it has on perception. The old buildings are in-between moments of restoration and this can be turned around with the value in renovating these places and selling/operating them.
The distinctness about the decline of the urban center and the perception of crime in Augusta is that half of the city is Black and the other half is White. With the national connations from Hollywood, rap music and other cultural characters, there is a heavy association with black people and crime. The majority of crime in Augusta is committed by Blacks and the same holds true, per capita, on a state and national basis. The arresting and prosecution of today's court system encourages repeat offenders and a corrections system that is a revolving door. This turns the perception, held in the mind of White & Black alike of the consumers, into an actual case of improving a Black person for a crime. He may be a criminal, wholeheartedly, but there is a chance he was not. The ones that do go to our criminal system and emerge, from the time they served for a crime they may not have committed, and are in fact now criminals from the experiences affect on them and the fitting in of supposed roles that are abated to them from all sides.
Augusta has this mentality, in more detail, I believe and theorize, because we have always been in the back of the mind of America. the growing in Georgia for the past 35 years has not been in our city, save the past 3-5 years. The closeness of the days of slavery exist and its affect on the mindset of all the people is strong and subtle. The fitting in of a society built of White Vs. Black, from history, economic differences and the justice/welfare system that produces black criminal is alive in Augusta sadly. While it is hard to say, and controversial, we must find a way, as a city to do better. The problems of the black citizens of Augusta can set examples for the national scene, with acknowledgement of what is the problem and not exploiting it to get elected or pass a government program. The Downtown of Augusta always going to represent the city itself. In Augusta there are large problems of poverty, the disintegration of family structures and being unemployed.
Restaurants
- 1102 BAR & GRILL
- 5 O'CLOCK BISTRO
- ANDREWS RESTAURANT
- AUGUSTINO'S ITALIAN EATERY
- BEAMIES AT THE RIVER
- BISTRO 491
- BLUE SKY KITCHEN CAFÉ
- BOAR'S HEAD PUBLIC HOUSE
- Boll Weevil Cafe & Sweeter
- Crums on Central
- Edgar's Grille is a classically comfortable fine-dine establishment
- Edmunds Bar-B-Que
- ErosEros Bistro
- Farmhaus BurgerFarmhaus Burger
- Fat Man's Mill Cafe
- French Market Grille
- Frog Hollow Tavern
- Giuseppes
- Harvest Table Buffet
- Helgas Pub & Grill
- Hildebrandts
- Honey From The Rock Cafe
- Jackie M's Cafe
- Joe's Underground Café
- La Maison on Telfair
- Luigi's
- Manuels Bread Cafe
- Mellow Mushroom
- Metro Coffeehouse
- Mi Rancho
- My Friends Place
- Nacho Mamas
- Oliviana Bar Italiano & Pizzeria
- Pizza Joint
- Rae's Coastal Café
- Red Lobster
- Rhinehart's Oyster Bar
- Rooster's Beak
- S & S Cafeteria
- Sapporo Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
- Sconyers Bar-B-Que
- Shangri-La Cuisine
- Sheehan's Irish Pub
- Silla Café
- Sixth at Watkins
- Snug Tavern & Grill
- Somewhere in Augusta
- Soy Noodle House
- Sports Center
- Sunshine Bakery
- Sweet Lou's
- TakoSushi
- Teresa's
- The Bee's Knees
- The Chef's House
- The Chop House
- The New Moon Cafe
- The P.I. Bar and Grill
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