Opt for smart development downtown

That makes a lot of sense Mr. Franke. However, the mob mentality is enamored with this idea of a minor league baseball stadium downtown. They refuse to open their eyes regarding parking problems. This deal is set in stone, and there's nothing that will change these plans. Grin and bear it.

From a certain perspective, your comments are sensible Billie. However a few things need to be considered. 1) the current stadium is sufficient and will remain so because only a limited number of people will go there. There will be no expansion as long as the Greenjackets remain back in their little location. 2) while it's popular to complain about the parking downtown, have you ever been to one of the fireworks shows? There's not room for everyone to park at the levee, but more then 25,000 people find parking somehow. 3) what was the purpose of the Golf Hall of Fame? Where was the $13million spent in its development? 4) a downtown stadium would encourage downtown visits and walks (something the Hall of Fame promised but didn't deliver) and the stadium would have multiple uses.

Maybe Mr. Frankie and some of the other big developers would prefer a condo development instead? I support the stadium idea and there is plenty of room across the street to buid a multi level parking garage. When I was on the DDA (which is the authority that is charged with financing parking garages downtown) we looked at building a parkig garage for the T Center on the property across the stree from the proposed expansion. We can do the same there too. The only thing across the street is parking for the church (which we could allow to use the parking decks for free on Sunday'as and other days of worship) and a drive through bank that can be bought I'm sure. So, if the main objection is parking that can be solved. However, I have found that whenever one of the big devlopers gets interested in something like this it seldom has to do with what is best for the entire community and more to do with thier own bank accounts. And let me be claer, I am NOT questioning Mr. Frankie's integrity, I am just going on my own personal wisdom gained from dealing with these people.

brad, Billie is a she.

I do not think it will bring that much walk around business downtown. People will do like they do now. They will drive to the stadium, go see the game, spend money at the stadium while there eating food/buying shirts, etc, then when the game is over, they will get in their cars and drive back home or up washington rd, etc to their favorite restaurants. The majority of people will not be spending extra time getting there early to walk around downtown before the game, nor will they feel like checikng downtown out after the game. The $21 million the mayor came up with is just a random number he put out off the top of his head. I would not mind the stadium moving downtown, just not at tax payers expense. If Robert Kraft could have got a group together to privately fund Gillette Stadium for the New England Patriots surely Cal Ripken can himself, or with investors, pay for a minor league stadium.

wow......patricia & i are on the same page.....amazing......i just got back from atlanta and went to the ball game and it was cool to see the improvements all around the area of turner field.......downtown augusta has been slowly changing for the better.......and something like this stadium will only help this trend.......here's hoping the naysayers stay home instead.......bring baseball downtown!!!

Larger cities have put stadiums downtown to redevelop blighted areas. It is a success in that it forms an anchor for developers to invest further in surrounding live/work lofts and condos and more upscale restaurants. I have not seen any references to the impact on cities the size of Augusta, where the area is not particularly blighted and the amount of support for local baseball is questionable.

If you want people to come downtown and "walk around" which leads to "Spend Money" you are going to have to come to grips with the atmosphere of downtown. When I first came to Augusta in 91, the downtown wasn't that bad. When I came back in 97 downtown was doing pretty well. When I came back in 01, I didn't return because of the lack of a family environment. Crowds of youths (gang related) hanging out and accosting people as they walked by, aggressive homeless people everywhere you turned, did not attract families. If you want a downtown that will stand the test of time, you must attract the money. The party crowds are good, but they will not revive your downtown. Families spend more money than college kids. If you want them to walk around, you must change the atmosphere.

How can you have "smart" development in a town run by imbeciles?

Coco, the Greenjackets ain't the Atlanta Braves and will in no way draw any where near such a crowd [filtered word] those who go to see the Braves play. The current stadium isn't even filled at games now. Moving it down town ain't going to fill it either. There has to be better use of the land in question. BTW, there aren't any really good restaurants down town these days. Tbey are either in Surrey Center or moved to Col County like every thing else is doing. There is nothing in downtown Augusta to walk around an see as families asre not going to go to the hole in the wall little retaurants/bars on Broad street.

My suggestion, as always, is to build a casino on the property. They will build their own parking garage.

Sure would be nice if we had something to attract the youth to the downtown area. I thought the science museum would be nice for my 13 year old to go spend an afternoon. I didn't realize a children's science museum was only for kids under 18 if they are accompanied by an adult. What's that all about? Then I started thinking about it, there really isn't anything to attract the youth downtown. I would think that would be key to getting people used to the idea of coming down and spending the day. Right now there isn't really anything that would encorage someone to come often and spend time here. River walk is nice for an afternoon stroll, good for maybe 1 hr. A walk down braod street good for another hour, maybe. The shops down here are not really much to look at. The resturants are a nice draw but the don't keep people around for a long period of time. I think if you want to really draw people into this city you need to start up-playing the historical significance or create something that will set this city apart like, The Space Need, The St. Louis Arch or Statue of Liberty. An attraction that people will want to come and see for the shear awe of it. Not another crappy baseball stadi

um. Not even for a major league team. Look at cities like Savannah and St. Augustine. They have built a thriving business on the historical sites.

There is plenty of parking downtown if you open it up. Parallel parking should be allowed all up and down Reynolds St, Ellis St, Greene St and Telfair Sts. Where do all of the ppl park for First Friday? The Fireworks? Arts in the Heart festival? People don't seem tohave trouble finding parking downtown.

whoever thinks downtown augusta was better in 1991 than in 2008 has not been to the same downtown augusta that i see daily.......most of the restaurants are independently owned.....not a chain......and it's these small businesses that have made the difference in revitilizing downtown.....olmstead stadium is nice, and all......but, a new modern multi-use stadium will make a big difference..........did somebody mention "gangs on streetcorners"? that is ridiculous and proves that some are so out of touch.......downtown augusta is better now than ever before.......the business improvement districit is in full effect......the whites building is almost completed.....the tee center is a good project.....the hotel next to the augusta common will be fantastic......a downtown stadium will be part of this puzzle that will improve the quality of life for all the citizens of the CSRA......is downtown perfect? of course not....but, why not help be part of the solution....instead of the same old problem? see you downtown.

Thanks for a good letter Ms. Franke.

Sorry Coco... I didn't say that it was better than now. My omission. Your assumption. There was gang activity in 01 (and still is, but not as bad). Enough to where the families stopped going downtown. Proof is in the pudding. Why are there still empty windows where there used to be great places to eat right on the Riverwalk? How many empty store fronts are there on Broad Street? Things have improved since 01, but could be so much better. We go downtown whenever there is an event and my family and I enjoy the Farmers Market. We also like some of the restaurants and small shops that have managed to stay open even though many of their neighbors are empty buildings. We considered buying one of the derilict buildings to renovate and open our own business, but the lack of a plan for this city has made that too much of a risk. I really do hope Augusta fixes its problems. Too much potential is sitting and going to waste. "Out of touch" people who continue ignoring the problem won't make it go away. When your criminals are so bold as to peddle stolen property in the parking lot at the jail DOWNTOWN (NOV 08), I dare say, the problem is ignored.

I believe people who have studied the impact of such minor league stadiums were interviewed by the Metro Spirit a couple of months ago and most said such a project does not bring in enough money to pay for itself.

coco, you're absolutely right. The downtown revitalization is an ongoing project that continues to grow. Small businesses pooling resources and the Mayor interested in something besides himself (first time since DeVaney). The stadium is a great idea and since all parking isn't only at the stadium, walking will be a natural. Downtown has a lot to offer and those that say otherwise are just guessing or listening to someone that's guessing. The business coming to the warehouses next to the commons and the hotel at 9th st are all steps on the stair way to heaven. If you don't see the potential in Augusta, you need to change your perspective.

1. There's AMPLE parking already, downtown. The area handles TENS of thousands for fireworks and "Arts in the Heart," etc. The stadium's only going ot hold 5,000 or so.

2. What BETTER way to use riverfront property than to open it to the general public for gatherings? Oh, no, Mr. Morris and his paper's editorial board would rather see real estate development. Folks, READ INTO THAT: Rich folks' condos. Not exactly open to the public.

TRUST me, the newspaper would be SELLING this idea to us if WIlliam S. Morris were in the loop. Instead, we get two negative editorials, and they ONLY print negative letters.

The letter I submitted - somehow the Metro Spirit printed but the Chronicle did not. No WHY is that?

little by little things are improving.....and i'm in it for the long haul......it's funny to me that all the people that are "scared" of downtown are also the ones that are against the stadium......what's up with that?