Let's not abandon downtown

Augusta is a LONG way off from the scene described here by Ms. Hudson. Augusta is a stripe mall town and Augustans like Wal-Mart, $1 beer night, and chain restaurants. Downtown has not REALLY grown since the early part of this decade. Oh sure Maggie Woodard and the crooks on the DDA will blather on about all the growth and new business in downtown but the fact is they have ONLY been interested in BIG projects that build Maggie's resume and enrich a few of the Big-Shot developers on the DDA. Very little is ever done to help the little man downtown besides BIG-talk. Everyone has such a positive 'vision' but yet NOTHING get done year after year. Walk with me from 5th to 13th with pictures I took 4 years ago and I will show you the same broken sidewalks, busted bricks, boarded/broken windows, neglect and decay. Until the city makes commitment like Aiken did and puts enough tax money behind renovations of downtown to fix everything the city should, its going to continue to fail. And the DDA should not be the vehicle used to do it either, too many self servers on there, narrow agendas, and a track record of uselessness. Empower the business owners, fix infrastructure, and more cops...

I agree Brad, and I think more lights. Not on the streets, but in all of the little pass throughs between buildings. Remove the shadows from down town and a lot of the boogymen will leave.

A wonderful vision by Ms. Knox Hudson. The Miller project deserves city-wide support. Hope the blind naysayers don't trip over the new sidewalks on 10th and Ellis Streets, run into the new businesses on Broad (Toole Engineering and R. W. Allen most recently) or stumble over the new residential and office projects on upper Greene.

iqdarling, I agree her 'vision' is wonderful but it isn't reality. By the way, those 'new sidewalks' took three years to build, cost over $200,000 and ONLY run from Reynolds to Ellis (about 500 feet, NOT along Broad but along 10th Street). The Miller project was porposed during the last SPOLST by Andy Cheek and was struck down and is ONLY being done now thanks to PRIVATE funds being used first by Mr. Knox. Rick Toole renovated an alreday occupied building (Lester partners Law firm) and it looks great but still over 30% of the space is empty. And as far as new residential properties go, MORE have been cancelled than have been completed. I am many things, a 'blind naysayers' ain't one of them. I served two terms on the DAP, Main Street, DDA, and I owned three businesses downtown since 1995, so I have seen a lot, and a lot less from the DDA and government in general. The private sector has been the driving force behind revitalization (as it should be) but the government has NOT done its part. Re-read my original post and you will see my problems are with the lack of TRUE support and action on the DDA's, County, and government's part. NOT the private sector.

i think brad owens is just bitter no one would patronize his overpriced niche bar, forcing him to close down.

Nay, I'm bitter because the DDA (only one org among many) has received over 4 million dollars in the past 13 years and has NADA to show for it besides a few loans to millionaires, free sidewalks for Paul King's clients, parking studies that never get used, uneeded clocks that keep bad time, and a whole lot of unfullfilled plans. That is our tax dollars, mine and yours being wasted. As far as Hale Tiki goes, best thing that ever happened to me was for that one to fail. I am in a much better place now and thankful I am not a bar owner anymore in downtown. The reason I still post on these items, is so that the record is true and right. The spinmeisters, and they know who they are (bet you are one dhd1108) like to gloss over the emense failure of the government, and pretend its all sunshine and lollipops downtown all the time. My days as a cheerleader are over, now I will throw rocks when I need to not having a stake downtown anymore other than my tax dollars being wasted by the likes of the DDA. I guess you don't pay taxes or you just buy their BS they dish out?

I agree with the lighting of the downtown area on the streets and the walkways between buildings...A solution to energizing of the downtown must come with the security that one will not be mugged and/or killed by one of the many thugs who hang in the shadows...These thugs exist...A great letter Paul Hudson and one that I hope will come to light among the "powers that be"...

Pat Knox Hudson's parochialism is sickening. "Augusta" is spread out over several counties. The notion of a single "downtown" is gone with the wind. Many people like to visit Broad St., Reynolds St., 10th St., etc. But many more like Wrightsboro Rd., Tobacco Rd., MLK Dr., Washington Rd., Bel Air Rd., Georgia Ave., Whiskey Rd., and many more. These people who say "we need to" (fill in your own blank), are really asking local government to subsidize their entertainment wants. What "we" really need is a government that leaves us alone.

Thank you Ms. Knox-Hudson for your positive thoughts and continued support for downtown Augusta. Please don't let the negative posts discourage anyone from what's happening in our downtown community.

There is one little shop I go to in downtown Augusta: Elduets. The reason I go is because they have things no other shop in the CSRA has, their prices are VERY reasonable, and I like the shop owners - they treat me nice regardless of my appearance. It is not because government money was pumped into the shop, or because it looks nice, or because it is the hip thing to do. When private enterprise invests in downtown and receives the tax breaks to do so, people will build and people will come.

Downtown Augusta has tons of potential and needs everyones support to reach it! I do agree with Brad that the city must invest in the infrastructure of downtown in order for it to continue to grow. I live downtown and it is not a scary place as many people's perceptions & opinions might dictate but I can see how the lack of light would make people feel unsafe. The Businesses Owners Downtown put so much time and energy into making downtown a better place to come - Please Support Them before its too late!!! If we are waiting til Downtown is fully restored to come Downtown to shop we will just keep revolving and not growing - the current Businesses need support to stay open and to encourage other businesses to join them - plus shopping local is good for our economy!!! PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR NEIGHBORS - SUPPORT DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES!!!!

Brad Owen, again the rhetoric being spewed from your keyboard sounds like sour grapes as opposed to any intelligent ideas. Let me ask you 2 questions. 1- when was the last time you were downtown? From your post you seem to indicate that you do not live downtown, let alone Augusta. My understanding is that you do not even live in the US. That being true, how do you even know what is going on downtown? 2- tell us all, since you served on the "DAP, Main Street and the DDA, what projects were you responsible for? What was your contribution to downtown during your tenure? Is it one closed down bar? I understand that you served only 1 year on the DDA board and the commision did not re-appoint you. Why was that? Could it be that everyone realized that you are part of the problem and not the solution? As far as nothing being done, I accept your challenge. You bring your pictures and I will walk with you from 5th Street to 13th and compare 4 years ago with today. You name the date and time and I will be there. As for the DDA only interested in "big projects", as you should know, big projects bring bring little projects.
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Big projects like the Judicial Center, the library, the JB White building and such, bring people to live, work and socialize in the downtown area. These people patronize the shops, resturants and such. Thus putting money back into downtown. I pay taxes to Augusta. I see my money at work. Redevelopment is underway. The downtown area is cleaner and brighter then every before. As I said before it is going to take the Mayor, the commision, Ms. Woodard and the DDA time and money to bring the downtown area back. I have every confidence they will do it. The negitive and destructive attitude you bring, shows that you are part of the problem and not the solution. As for you being happy and thankful you do not own a bar downtown anymore, I think because of your attitude and negativity, I bet there are alot of business owners glad you do not own that bar anymore either. Let me know when you want to take that walk, I am waiting.

Every town has its McDonalds, Wal-Marts, and Auto Zones. Nobody will travel very far for that. But they will come for an experience to remember in an interesting, vibrant downtown. Chattanooga is a great experience, well worth the time to visit, and they started further back than Augusta has ever been. If Ms. Knox wants to view downtown with vision and positive attitude (rather than a certain person's sour grapes), many thanks for her support, but if it's the business of the city to hold on to its dollars with an iron grip, those dollars will quickly turn to pennies.

You are right MyTake, but I think that the city my not be holding on to the dollars with an iron gripe as much as it is that the dollars are just not there right now.

too much talk...not enough walk.....i love downtown augusta....and predict it will only continue to improve...little by little....step by step.....it's the heart & soul of our city.....like it or not!!!

As the spouse of a county employee, we spend hours walking the streets, visiting the businesses downtown. They are as a rule delightful, unique, well staffed, and on a par with any downtown area I've ever lived in. In the evenings, there are many entertainment venues to serve all tastes and clientele. I've seen a marked improvement in cleanliness and safety in the last 10 years & agree with Coco small steady steps will produce a downtown we can ALL enjoy together and of which we will be proud.

Coco and ITDoc- you guys are right. little by little will get it done. But our leaders need our support and we as a city need positive thinking. Not negativity and finger pointing as I have read on this and other posts. Coco I think what you have done is great. I have been to both the Soul Bar and Sky City and the are great venues. Keep it up.

jfg1958. I live and work as a security contractor in Africa now. I will answer your your questions. 1. I visit downtown everytime I come home which is once a quarter. The last time was November. I eat almost every meal downtown as a way to support the BUSINESSES there. 2. The list of projects I helped with are many. The ones I am most proud of are; The Aggressive Panhandling Ban, The Mothball Ord, The First Friday hand over to the GAAC, and The False Alarm Ord. I did not get reappointed because I filed an ethics complaint against then DDA Chairman Paul King who had shoved through a $50,000 grant to build a 150ft sidewalk in front of a property on Greene St. that he bought, sold, and was contracted to refurbish and manage. I guess if pointing out unethical behavior from people that are supposed to be serving the public and not themselves makes me 'part of the problem', then I would have to ask you what you think the right path is. You will be very diappointed when we take that walk. And let me say this, WHERE in my post did I talk bad about downtown? I LOVE downtown. I dedicated ten years of my life to trying to make it better. So, I've the right to express my opinion on this issue.

And by the way, do any of you that have been downtown for the last ten years see where the DDA spent our $4,000,000.00? The county government MUST fix the infrastructure and cut taxes on small business owners. The people who see anythng I have written as negative are NOT interested in action but propaganda. Why do they have the DDA meetings on a wekday in the EARLY morning? Why did the DDA disban MainStreet Augusta? Why hasen't the Parking Study been put into action? Again, Empower the business owners, fix infrastructure, and more cops...

Brad, have you ever really looked at the city code which outlines the composition, pay and mission of the DDA? If so you would see plainly that there was never a legal basis for hiring a social director. The mission isn't cleaning up the city and any expenses are reimburseable. Now either the code is useless or the city could care about following the law. BTW I believe the code is the basic document for running the city of Augusta. Do yourself a favor, go to the city web site and look under the legal depart for the city code and cursor down to the DDA it will amaze you what they are supposed to do and their limits on organization.

Brad Owens, I will agree with you on one item. You do have a right to express your opinions. Pointing out alleged unethical behavior does not make you part of the problem. It is your negitive attitude. Your comments seem more bitter and distructive than constructive. I do want to ask you something else. In your earlier post you stated that the DDA as well as other organizations have recieved 4 mil over the last 13 years and have NADA to show for it. Then you state that you have dedicated 10 years of your life to downtown. That leads me to believe that you were part of the NADA you speak of. In other words you were part of the nothing happening that you speak of. You say you are most proud of 3 ord. that is it? The DDA has assisted in bring the renovation of the JB White Building, RW Allens Building, the new hotel that will be built near the commons. All of which has bought people to work, live and socialize downtown. Also not to forget the Cadi program. Also when you come back you will see sidewalks being repaired up and down broad St. It seems like they have done more in 2 years than you have down in your 10 years. I look forward to our walk. I will even buy you a beer.

dissman, the DDA law was created by the state of GA to help cities build parking decks. The Director's position was created when Randy Oliver forced MainStreet to merge with the DDA. Until then the DDA didn't have one, MainStreet did. Allison May was the Director of MainStreet then. I agree that they REALLY don't have a clue waht they should be doing.

jfg1958, you can love those uesless SOB's if you want to. I suspect, given your 'casual knowledge' that you are not just some random person on here and have a direct connection to some of those 'alleged' unethical people. The items I am proud of did not invlove spending tax dollars. They were what I could do to make dowtown better. I am not making myself clear here, too bad I can't type slowly for you or draw a picture and color it so you will understand. The DDA is not 'downtown' and so being negative about their wasting our tax dollars is not being negative about downtown. Also, my support of downtown is based on supporting the small bussinesses there NOT some government waste of money like the DDA. The county doesn't maintain the downtown properly and it shows. You can kiss all tha arse you want but at the end of the day you will just have chapped lips. If you're looking to the DDA for any real action you will be wasting your time unless you are a big-shot developer. All the projects you named help bigshots (White's Building was part owned by DDA board memeber Roberts) but have they allocated and equal amount or energy for the little man? Nope. And they never will.

Brad Owens, this will be my last post on this subject, it is now yesterdays news. The only connection I have to downtown is I live in Augusta and spend my nights on Broad street. And I have no connection to anyone. It is people such as yourself who spout nothing but negitive criticism and present no useful ideas. In your posts you seem to be just plain mad, or maybe jealous that you were not re-appointed to the Board, or what ever. Maybe you are mad that Paul King and others got grants and you did not. I do not know the real reason you seem so mad. But I do know that when you come back here your 4 times a year and walk downtown and then say nothing has changed, you show everyone how blind and ignorant you are. The wheels of change do move slow, as does anything when the goverment is involved. But change has taken place and so has the improvement in the downtown area. If you can not see it, well I feel sorry for you

Brad you didn't look at the city code. Now go and look at it. BTW Oliver has been gone a long time and McIntire also but McIntire is still listed as a member of the Aviation Board. The code of the city makes no provision for funding anything but bonds by the DDA. In fact they aren't authorized by code to hire anyone. The entire authority is supposed to be voluntary and appointed.