104 replies to this topic

[PJA]

I found a website with some updated information about the lifestyle center.  First the bad news:  The opening will be in March 2008.  It originally was scheduled to be opened in around fall of next year.

The good news is that renderings of the layout of the center are bigger than what was planned.  On an area next to Dillards there will be two hotel buildings and more retail space than was planned.  That extra retail space also has a few tenants named and they are Cost Plus World Market, Linens and Things, Dick's Sporting Goods and Ross Dress for Less.  There will also be six upscale restaurants and a bank.  Here's the official website http://www.villageriverwatch.com/.  The updated layout is under aerial.

[jungletobacco]

It seem like it should be in Evans since thats the target but I see what they re doing. I never heard Evans broken down by north and south. I really lost interest in this Lifestyle center after browsing the the site. But if it helps the city more power to it.

[dromulus]

PJA, on Dec 6 2006, 01:44 PM, said:

I found a website with some updated information about the lifestyle center.  First the bad news:  The opening will be in March 2008.  It originally was scheduled to be opened in around fall of next year.

The good news is that renderings of the layout of the center are bigger than what was planned.  On an area next to Dillards there will be two hotel buildings and more retail space than was planned.  That extra retail space also has a few tenants named and they are Cost Plus World Market, Linens and Things, Dick's Sporting Goods and Ross Dress for Less.  There will also be six upscale restaurants and a bank.  Here's the official website http://www.villageriverwatch.com/.  The updated layout is under aerial.

I agree!  There are parking lots bordering the canal.  The only building which borders the canal is the theater I think.  I would assume the back of it where the dumpsters are will face the canal.  They could have done something so much better with this property, like incorporate the open air area with walks along the canal and possibly pedestrian bridge over it to view the river.

Just think of what it will be like in 20 years when all of the stores close and move to newer and better venues.  the regency mall along the canal.

[socaguy]

How close will the parking actually be to the canal?  Perhaps some type of residential portion could be added along the canal front someday.  A parking lot can easily be bulldozed.  I like the layout though.  
PJA,  where do you see about the 2 hotel buildings?  I checked the aerial and didnt see anything.

[PJA]

socaguy, on Dec 6 2006, 09:37 PM, said:

How close will the parking actually be to the canal?  Perhaps some type of residential portion could be added along the canal front someday.  A parking lot can easily be bulldozed.  I like the layout though.  
PJA,  where do you see about the 2 hotel buildings?  I checked the aerial and didnt see anything.

They are on the left.  You need to zoom in on the picture to get a better view.

Edited by PJA, 06 December 2006 - 09:02 PM.

[Pillsbury]

Personally, I think the fact that you can see the development from the canal sucks.   I want the canal around downtown to be developed, but not up there around I-20.    They were supposed to leave a buffer between the development and the canal--to me it doesn't really look like much of a buffer.

[PJA]

I think it's going to look nice once it's finished.  I always thought it was a nice idea to tie the canal in with the center.  It's not like it's going to be some big box center like Augusta Exhange or Mullins Crossing.  I would like to see more development downtown along the canal though and it seems that is going to happen.

[jungletobacco]

Wouldnt the Downtown development come to a screeching halt once this thing is built? The Lifestyle Center has so much in it that I think downtown will have to do something drastic in 2007.

[socaguy]

Has nothing to do with any of the development planned for the Canal Downtown,  which would most likely be parks, condos, and specialty retail you wouldnt find at any suburban lifestyle center.

[PJA]

It is my belief that the Village at Riverwatch could actually help downtown.  If they capitalize on the canal and make it a major attraction it could definitely work.  They could have information about the canal and other attractions all on along it at the shopping center.  Also they could offer boat rides on the canal to downtown from the hotels so that the visitors can have a chance to walk around down there and visit.  There is all kinds of potential.  This is like the closest major shopping area to downtown and hopefully the city will capitalize on that.

[dromulus]

it has been several years since i have spent any time at the canal, but i do remember some gates or locks around the lake olmsted area which might prevent passage from a boat.  can you travel from the head gate to 13th street on a boat?

[DaGABoyStinger]

Well, I'm not sure if it would hurt downtown so much from an entertainment standpoint, because from looking at these plans, I see no placement for some sort of entertainment venue or stage.  Atlantic Station and Mall of GA, both have entertainment stages set up, like at the Amplitheatre on Riverwalk.   It seems like just the movie theatre, children's playground, and the canal access are the only points of interest other than shopping and eating here.

On another note, I'm glad to see they are considering phase 2, and the types of stores; most of these will be Augusta's first.  After a while, who would really need to leave.

[DaGABoyStinger]

FYI.  This is what I found off JPRA's website.  The Architects of the Villages @ Riverwatch.  They really have designed some beautiful shopping centers.  I invite you to browse through their portfolios.  Based on what I've seen, this center could really stand out from anything else in Augusta.  These pics are fromt he Village @ Rodchester Hills







website: www.jpra.com

[jungletobacco]

R.I.P. Downtown Augusta  

[Pillsbury]

^ I don't think downtown is going anywhere.  There are enough people to support the retail plus whatever they throw downtown.  Now, Surrey Center on the hand.........

Nice find DaGaBoyStinger!!! Hope ours looks that good.

Edited by Pillsbury, 11 December 2006 - 12:13 PM.

[jungletobacco]

^I hope Im wrong. I really want the sucess of the Village to to spill over on Downtown. BUT they need to match the retail with exclusive retailers like say...Gucci, the Village wont have that. Downtown should want to bring in heavy-spenders not people who going to just walk around sight see. Open stores that people will only see downtown and want to stop and shop. Look at First Friday, they need venders for people to shop downtown. I hope Im wrong about this.

[socaguy]

Filling Downtown with unique stores that you wont find at the lifestyle centers and malls is a good idea, but I doubt Gucci or any very high end store like that would even consider DT Augusta.  Perhaps interesting stores like a Map store or General Mast Store or places like that would fit in better.  Places that tourists and locals alike would visit.

[ATLman1]

If it looks like the pictures above that will be awesome!

[CanukInAugusta]

I was walking along the hiking trail along the canal this weekend starting at the Savanah river rapids pavillion. They have done a lot of improvements there in the last few months. They have a new pedestrian bridge, and will be setting up picnic tables by the waterfalls.

It occured to me that what would be a great feature for the village at Riverwatch would be to have a pedestrian bridge connecting the village to the bike/hiking trails on the other side. Perhaps similar in style to whats at the Savanah river rapids pavillion center.

I had this vision of riding my bike along the trail in the spring, and having a coffee @ starbuck's.

Might also be cool to have a dock for Kayaks/canoes, or the boat company (I think its called the Pederson boat company) offering water taxi service.

[Pillsbury]

Now that's a cool image, so long as they respect the land.