Darrin Wright, owner of Washington Road Barber Shop, talks with Andy Carrier. Mr. Wright and others have been bought out of their property. Development changing face of area Business owners bought out for Augusta National project; officials welcome face lift CHRISTINE DE LESSIO/STAFF

Development looms for Washington Road properties

Web posted October 17, 1999

By Melissa Hall
Columbia County Bureau

Darrin Wright's family has been part of the Washington Road landscape for 19 years, but a pending face lift is going to push the family out.

Sometime in the next 18 months, Mr. Wright will move his Washington Road Barber Shop to make way for developers who plan to transform the area around Augusta National Golf Club.

``They won't tell you what's going on, but when they pay the kind of money they're going to pay for this place, you know they are planning to make a profit,'' said Mr. Wright.

Located in a row of six brick stores that front Washington Road near Berckmans Road, his business is one of many commercial and residential properties being bought by separate developers.

City officials said they would welcome improvements to an area that serves as a major artery into the city -- an area showing signs of age. And developers might be able to enhance their investments with two plans already on the drawing board -- one to widen Berckmans Road and another that will use state, federal and local money to improve Washington Road's gateways and corridor.

Former Thomson banker Boone Knox, a member of Augusta National, purchased Big Tree Center from Lipscomb Family Limited Partnership for $4 million in August and 8.9 acres from J. Dan Smith for $1.7 million in June -- property that stretches from Washington Road to Heath Drive,

according to Richmond County property records.

He also has an option from the Rev. C.W. Edwards on Silverstein's dry cleaners and adjacent shops, and he has acquired options on adjoining houses and commercial property in the same area, including the barber shop. He said he plans to develop the area into a mix of residential, retail and professional offices.

In a nearby -- but unrelated -- project, Donnie Thompson, owner of Windsor Jewelers on Washington Road and one of the principal members of a partnership that owns National Hills shopping center, has announced plans to renovate the center to include upscale shops and condominiums. He said last week he won't release any more details.

Hugh Connolly, president of Sherman & Hemstreet Inc., said his agency also is taking part in property transactions in that area.

``We are involved in some of these transactions, and I believe it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the situation, even generally, as it might affect clients' business,'' he said. ``Even generalities could have an effect one way or the other on negotiations that are presently out there and that we are presently involved in as a company.''

WASHINGTON ROAD

is a major corridor into the city, the world's vision of Augusta during Masters.

``I think the developments in that area would enhance that part of the city,'' said Augusta Mayor Bob Young. ``But I think we've also got to be careful that what we're doing is in context with the neighborhoods that surround it. We don't need to destroy the character of the neighborhood. We want something that will complement it. At the same time, we want something that will pull people back in toward the city, bring them back here from the suburbs.''

Mr. Young said he is waiting for developers to reveal their plans before making specific comments. But he imagines developers transforming the area into a bustling retail center attracting shoppers from outlying regions.

``There are a number of buildings in that area that are showing their age and could use a complete face lift, if not a replacement,'' Mr. Young said. ``Really, nothing new has been built right around that immediate area except Windsor Jewelers and the gas station next door. But essentially, the buildings have been around there for a long time, so it would be nice to see some updating.

``Maybe the developers are smarter than we are because they don't develop places where they know they can't make money. They don't build something that there's not a market for. So, apparently some people have some information that this area has the potential to rebound and to hopefully become a hot area.''

MONTY OSTEEN, VICE

president and treasurer of Greater Augusta Progress and chairman of the Development Authority of Richmond County, said the improvements slated for the Washington Road area dovetail with Greater Augusta Progress' plans to improve the Washington Road gateways and corridor.

On Washington Road near Berckmans Road, 38,315 cars pass every day, according to Department of Transportation statistics.

Greater Augusta Progress now is spending $120,000 for engineers to develop a prototype for improvement that can be applied to all of the city's 14 identified gateways and corridors, including Washington Road. Ultimately, the developers will be able to use those plans and will have access to state, federal and local dollars to beautify the area.

``Certainly that part of Augusta is a major corridor and is part of an overall gateway at I-20 and Washington Road,'' Mr. Osteen said. ``Greater Augusta Progress is delighted at the prospect of that area becoming a more attractive corridor for our community.''

Real estate broker Gwen Fulcher Young, Mr. Young's wife, agrees that this is an area whose time has come. With an office on Berckmans Road, she has witnessed the growth of that area. Her option to sell her property to Mr. Knox has been recorded in Richmond County.

``It's a prime west Augusta location, and it has little to do with the Augusta National; it has to do with proximity to downtown, the Hill section and Columbia County,'' she said. ``It's just a matter of time before there will be major development here because of its convenience. It's not just happening one week of the year during the Masters. I can tell you this is a busy part of town the other 51 weeks.''

AUGUSTA IS PLANNING

to widen Berckmans Road to three lanes, a project that could include improvements to utilities to accommodate development in that area, said Jim Huffstetler, traffic engineer with Augusta. The project also will include sidewalks and pedestrian signals, though there's no timetable for the project now.

Mr. Huffstetler said that project isn't on the city's priority list, but that could change if the Augusta Commission wanted it to.

The road-widening project, which will span from Washington to Wheeler Road, is expected to increase traffic along Berckmans Road. And though many residents hope that area will stay the same, change seems inevitable.

Augusta National isn't commenting on the developers' and city's plans.

``We are supportive of a quality community, not only during Masters Week, but year-round,'' said Glenn Greenspan, director of communications for Augusta National.

WITH SUCH LARGE-SCALE

commercial development in the works, those who refuse to sell may ultimately find themselves living in a neighborhood that has changed without them, Mrs. Young said. Though Berckmans Road has long been a residential area -- flanked on one end by the upscale Surrey Center and on the other by National Hills -- development looms.

``Unfortunately, most people have a hard time getting the big picture, and they're resistant to any kind of change -- they panic when they think something is going to disrupt their lives,'' Mrs. Young said. ``If Berckmans Road is widened, perhaps it won't be the place to live. Those owners will find that their neighborhood will change anyway. There will be lots of traffic and it will be fast traffic.''

Mike Graybill, president and owner of Graybill Associates, said developers building condominiums, hotels or retail in that area will face the challenges of managing site costs, environmental and engineering costs. Acquiring land is the first hurdle.

But the biggest challenge along Berckmans Road may be the rezoning battle that is sure to come as residents entrenched in the neighborhood square off against those wanting to develop the area.

``Whatever goes there, there will be those in favor of it and those opposed to it, and the county commission will just have to evaluate it to see if it is best for the overall community -- not unlike what they have to (do) when they have to condemn property,'' Mr. Graybill said. ``They have to vote on what they feel will be the best for the entire community.''

REACH Melissa Hall at (706) 868-1222, Ext. 113, or ccchron@augustachronicle.com.