NORTH AUGUSTA --- Mayor Lark Jones unveiled 100 Georgia Ave. as the new "heart and soul" of North Augusta on Sunday.
Mr. Jones and city officials welcomed guests to a tour of the four-story, $20 million municipal center.
"We wanted a building of architectural significance," Mr. Jones told the crowd during a presentation.
He said the city now has a defined entrance and everyone would come to know North Augusta as more than a bedroom community or a place with great recreational facilities.
Nothing was off limits to the more than 1,200 visitors, who peeked into closets and even sat in Mr. Jones' official chair in city council chambers.
"This isn't Mayberry anymore," said Ronald Smith, a resident since 2003.
"This makes North Augusta more of a city," he said.
While sweeping views of Georgia Avenue and Augusta from the Palmetto Terrace on the fourth-floor were the main draw, the Arts and Heritage Center on the first floor quickly became another favorite spot.
Residents viewed works by local and budding student artists and learned about the city's pottery legacy.
"After looking at the architectural rendering, there will be a lot of flexibility with that space," said Michael Fowler. "I see it being around for a long time."
The center's main attraction was a wooden bench with chipped, light blue paint from the city's old roller rink. Many baby boomers sat and recalled carving their own names in the benches.
The center will open for business July 7. The municipal building will open for business July 13.
Reach Julia Sellers at (706) 823-3424 or julia.sellers@augustachronicle.com.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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North Augusta progresses while Augusta struggles to pull weeds and pick up litter.
Don't be stupid , without Augusta there would be no N. Augusta or anything else. It took years to build Augusta and things have changed of the years along with people thinking. Just be thankful that things are progressing normally at the expense of others. If you are going to build you do not have to debase your neighbor house in the process just be thankful . N .Augusta does look nice and it's been a longtime coming think about that. When was the last time you done something for your community , sorry i thought you were a banker my bad. The whole community looks good over all check out other communities this size you will see.
You're right iakovos, Aug has served its purpose by sprouting several nice surrounding towns/communities, and should now fade away quietly. peeew.
The new North Augusta Municipal Center is beautiful. Did not get to visit yesterday due to a local funeral of an outstanding North Augustan that dedicated his life to the city communities. Now, they need to insert speed bumps on the 13th street bridge to allow people to slow down so they can see it. As of now, they fly both ways on the bridge. I don't think the red lights will help them slow down much as they will have already been speeding when coming into North Augusta. Going to Augusta though, if they catch one of the red lights ready to be turned on, they might be able to recognize it if they are not on the cell phone or busy twittering.
Yes gnumbgnuts but where would we work remember industry must have water and power, right now everybody feeds off Augusta for the those nice homes and jobs. Be upset but don't throw the baby out with the bath water. It's going to be okay just live a good life trust me it will.
Wow! You go North Augusta! I haven't seen this new building yet..I'm out of town right now and knew nothing about it...Ha I' bet people working in that building won't look over the river very often...who wants to look at a Depressing Dump.
I've known many North Augustans in my time...they are a group of folks who really care about their community...when looking across the River at Augusta makes them work ever harder not to become another Augusta!