[AphroHippi]

thelakelander, on Jan 13 2005, 11:19 AM, said:

Not excatly.  Auburb/Opelika are their own distinct areas and don't rely on Columbus, as much as Aiken relies on Augusta for entertainment and employment opportunities.  They are also farther away.

BTW, what's going on in Augusta, that's causing it to dramatically outgrow Georgia's other second tier cities?

9091"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Augusta's been Ga's second city for many years, due to Ft Gordon, the Savannah River Site and other industries. Augusta had state legislators in it's favor during its growth heydays in the 50's and 60's. I think that Ga's second tier cities all compare favorably, Augusta's had a larger population to begin with and it like all the other cities continue to grow.

I did think it was a stretch for ATLman1 to say that Columbus is Ga's second largest city without having quantifiable info. Using comparisons such as trade area population versus MSA population is unscientific. (though I'm guessing that Augusta's CSRA population is larger than Columbus' trade area population still).

I've only visited Columbus one time and was not impressed with the skyline, though it has many beautiful old homes and neighborhoods (like Athens, Savannah, Augusta) It certainly doesn't look as big as Augusta. I do think that the second tier cities would benefit from having more progressive city leadership and better connectivity between each other (ie freeway connections). I also think that the second tier cities should examine the positive things that made Atlanta into what it is and avoid the negative things.

[ATLman1]

AphroHippi, on Sep 10 2005, 05:43 PM, said:

Augusta's been Ga's second city for many years, due to Ft Gordon, the Savannah River Site and other industries. Augusta had state legislators in it's favor during its growth heydays in the 50's and 60's. I think that Ga's second tier cities all compare favorably, Augusta's had a larger population to begin with and it like all the other cities continue to grow.

I did think it was a stretch for ATLman1 to say that Columbus is Ga's second largest city without having quantifiable info. Using comparisons such as trade area population versus MSA population is unscientific. (though I'm guessing that Augusta's CSRA population is larger than Columbus' trade area population still).

I've only visited Columbus one time and was not impressed with the skyline, though it has many beautiful old homes and neighborhoods (like Athens, Savannah, Augusta) It certainly doesn't look as big as Augusta. I do think that the second tier cities would benefit from having more progressive city leadership and better connectivity between each other (ie freeway connections). I also think that the second tier cities should examine the positive things that made Atlanta into what it is and avoid the negative things.

95899"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Columbus's buildings are spread out and not consolidated downtown. If they were, Columbus would have GA's second best skyline. Columbus's buildings are much more modern than other second tier cities buildings. Soon though, Columbus will regain its title as GA's second biggest city. Within 2 or 3 years, Columbus will be number 2 again.

[catdr]

I have lived in Columbus for many years. I do not consider Lee Co., AL to be part of the Metro area.

[ATLman1]

catdr, on Nov 18 2005, 05:50 PM, said:

I have lived in Columbus for many years. I do not consider Lee Co., AL to be part of the Metro area.

How can you not? It is right across the river! Auburn/Opelika is only 25 miles away! The only reason their not in our metro is because they have a metro themselves. All of the cities are connected. Our news media is together, everything is together. With all the growth in southern Lee Co., it will soon become part of our MSA. It will happen soon. Most of the people who live in southern Lee Co. work in Columbus. With AFLAC and Fort Benning expanding, it will only bring the two metros into one consolidated metro. This is all one area and has been for years.

This post has been edited by ATLman1: 18 November 2005 - 09:37 PM

[ironchapman]

Here's an interesting trivia fact I just found:

Columbus is the largest city in the United States with a larger namesake city (Columbus, OH). Though I hardly consider Columbus, Ohio to be Columbus, GA's namesake.

This post has been edited by ironchapman: 20 November 2005 - 09:30 PM

[catdr]

ATLman1, on Nov 18 2005, 10:34 PM, said:

How can you not? It is right across the river! Auburn/Opelika is only 25 miles away.

I drove there Saturday. There is about 20+ miles of nothing between Phenix City and Auburn/Opelika. About the same distance as between Denver and Boulder.

I talked to friends this AM. I stand corrected. South Lee County is definitely a part of the metro area.
I still do not feel Auburn/Opelika is a part.

This post has been edited by catdr: 23 November 2005 - 06:25 AM

[southernyank]

^^Yea i know, but unfortunately Columbus, ga is not as popular to some as Ohio's capital. i've only been to columbus once and i really liked it. my girlfriend lives there, so i visited her and we went to the carmike cinema (which surprisingly i have to say was one of the greatest movie theatres i have ever been to with a mindblowing selection of popcorn:wub:) and the river walk which was really nice at night. Columbus has a lot of potential to grow into something big and modern, but still keep its humble south georgia charm.

[yerocal]

ATLman1, on Jan 13 2005, 09:05 AM, said:

Columbus is twice the size of Macon. That city is only known since it is on I-75. Athens because of UGA. I can't believe people have not heard of it. Columbus has one of the biggest, if not the biggest, army installation (Fort Benning) in the world. The base is growing like crazy and is bringing 18,000+ new soldiers and family members to the area in 2005. This will push Columbus's population way over Augusta's because both cities are very comparable in size. The only reason people have heard of Augusta is because of the Masters. Macon and Savannah are losing population. It is just hard to imagine people haven't heard of Columbus because of Fort Benning, major companies like AFLAC, Synovus, TSYS, Carmike Cinemas, Char-broil, etc.

NO buddy columbus is no way near twice as the size Macon I have been to columbus several time and seem the map of that city and there is no way that it is that large. Also macon has more than just 75 it has I-475,& I-16 also augusta according the 2004/2005 stat. is the 2nd largest city in Ga. Also macon has corp.GEICO, RIVERWOOD, BB&T, ALLSTATE, IKON, YKK, SARA LEE; KOHLS & BASSPRO Distrisbution Centers, and KELLOGG Just anounced it will be locatiing to Macon. Macon is going to be the next large city after Atlanta because there a great deal grow in Macon you need to visit it, because it's obivious you have not been there in a while. in additon, suburbian Warner Robins is also doing a great of grow as well which is apart of Macon's Metro.

[ATLman1]

yerocal, on Sep 21 2006, 09:09 PM, said:

NO buddy columbus is no way near twice as the size Macon I have been to columbus several time and seem the map of that city and there is no way that it is that large. Also macon has more than just 75 it has I-475,& I-16 also augusta according the 2004/2005 stat. is the 2nd largest city in Ga. Also macon has corp.GEICO, RIVERWOOD, BB&T, ALLSTATE, IKON, YKK, SARA LEE; KOHLS & BASSPRO Distrisbution Centers, and KELLOGG Just anounced it will be locatiing to Macon. Macon is going to be the next large city after Atlanta because there a great deal grow in Macon you need to visit it, because it's obivious you have not been there in a while. in additon, suburbian Warner Robins is also doing a great of grow as well which is apart of Macon's Metro.

Yes dude the city of Columbus is twice the size of Macon (city), not county. Also, none of the those corporations are based in Macon. Next time please type so I understand what you are saying.

This post has been edited by ATLman1: 13 November 2006 - 09:36 PM

[georgia478]

yerocal was probably goin off of the feel of Macon.
ATLman its nice that you love Columbus, but I'm from Macon and I moved to Columbus to go to CSU.

Macon seems WAY faster. Columbus just has that one little interstate "1-185" a Branch of of 85...I mean come on LOL.....Columbus Downtown is a joke....No skyline whatsoever....Macon's Skyline looks alot larger than a city for the population that size

Columbus and Muscogee are Consolidated to form its CITY POPULATION. If Macon and Bibb did the same it would only be about 30,000 smaller.

and if you are goin to talk about Auburn/Opelika...can we atleast get an Interstate to Connect these areas to Columbus instead of backwoods Highways.....they dont even feel like suburbs

Macon feels more like a city than Columbus.......

[georgia478]

If u take the places outside of Metro ATL

Chatham County would be the most populated (over 200,000) Savannah
Richmond County (Right at 200,000) Augusta
Muscogee County (Right under 200,000) Columbus
Bibb County (Around 160..170,000) Macon

Thats basically the same...the only thing that makes Columbus different is that is FEELS slower than the others

..no 'REAL' Interstate "185" is a branch off of 85 and doesnt even co completely threw Columbus...No Skyline...PATHETIC little mall.......it

Macon is more of a City.....and definetly has more of a feel...no matter what you type....anyone who has been to the 2 can see that

[gah]

georgia478, on Dec 27 2006, 02:23 AM, said:

If u take the places outside of Metro ATL

Chatham County would be the most populated (over 200,000) Savannah
Richmond County (Right at 200,000) Augusta
Muscogee County (Right under 200,000) Columbus
Bibb County (Around 160..170,000) Macon

Thats basically the same...the only thing that makes Columbus different is that is FEELS slower than the others

..no 'REAL' Interstate "185" is a branch off of 85 and doesnt even co completely threw Columbus...No Skyline...PATHETIC little mall.......it

Macon is more of a City.....and definetly has more of a feel...no matter what you type....anyone who has been to the 2 can see that

Here we go with the juvenile "rival city bashing" again! Seems like some folks never grow out of the schoolyard mentality and think that the only way to look cool is to belittle the other guy.

As has been said before, there is NO future in this small-minded exercise. The second tier citites are all too similar and have a common rival -- Atlanta -- to waste time on trying to get a leg up on the others. Macon is certainly no worse than Columbus, Augusta, Savannah. But it likewise is certainly no better. Macon has excellent interstate connections (but a lousy city government). Augusta has a wonderful medical complex and golf (but a lousy city government0. Savannah has history and charm (but a lousy city government). Columbus has AFLAC and Synovus and BRAC and (a stretch, Kia) a fairly progressive government (but lousy interstate connections, no outstanding medical complex or golf tourny and much less (or at least different) charm than Savannah. Regardless of current conditions, however, my money is on Columbus for potential growth -- it can get interstate connections, and the other infrastructure that it lacks. However, the chance that Macon (or the others) will snag an AFLAC, Synovus or KIA are at least as remote as Columbus getting the bricks and mortar in which it may presently lag. Also, I might add CSU as an asset -- it is drawing at least as many young minds to Columbus as colleges in the other second-tier cities are. Some of them may stay and work at AFLAC, Synovus, etc. On such intangibles will one of the second-tier cities break out of the pack and become the true rival to Atlanta. So thanx on being part of the "solution" to making Columbus that break-away city.

[ATLman1]

georgia478, on Dec 27 2006, 02:15 AM, said:

yerocal was probably goin off of the feel of Macon.
ATLman its nice that you love Columbus, but I'm from Macon and I moved to Columbus to go to CSU.

Macon seems WAY faster. Columbus just has that one little interstate "1-185" a Branch of of 85...I mean come on LOL.....Columbus Downtown is a joke....No skyline whatsoever....Macon's Skyline looks alot larger than a city for the population that size

Columbus and Muscogee are Consolidated to form its CITY POPULATION. If Macon and Bibb did the same it would only be about 30,000 smaller.

and if you are goin to talk about Auburn/Opelika...can we atleast get an Interstate to Connect these areas to Columbus instead of backwoods Highways.....they dont even feel like suburbs

Macon feels more like a city than Columbus.......

Read the forum and you will see why Columbus is growing faster and why it is bigger and will always be bigger. There is no point on commenting on that juvenile response.

[Pillsbury]

I've never been to Columbus, but I"ve been to Macon. Honestly, I don't see much of a difference, and from what I've heard about Columbus, it seems similar to Augusta. Savannah has a slightly different vibe, but we're all basically the same. I do not consider Columbus to be slower than Augusta or Macon. I think Columbus has done a better job with Columbus State than Augusta has with Augusta State. I also think that downtown Columbus is becoming an attractive place (if it's not already). Let's just grow our cities!!!

[gah]

Pillsbury, on Dec 27 2006, 10:58 AM, said:

I've never been to Columbus, but I"ve been to Macon. Honestly, I don't see much of a difference, and from what I've heard about Columbus, it seems similar to Augusta. Savannah has a slightly different vibe, but we're all basically the same. I do not consider Columbus to be slower than Augusta or Macon. I think Columbus has done a better job with Columbus State than Augusta has with Augusta State. I also think that downtown Columbus is becoming an attractive place (if it's not already). Let's just grow our cities!!!

You said it! Columbus, Augusta and Macon are all FallLine cities with much, much more in common than not. Savannah is unique to Ga (just as Charleston is unique to SC). The only real "rival" for growth is Atlanta. At best, any "discussion" of which second-tier city is "better" than another misses the point. At worst, it betrays a provinciallism that is self-defeating.

[georgia478]

You people are missing the point. As far as industry, I never said Macon has more than Columbus. Several of you guys are commenting off going through these cities or simply visting there. I have LIVED in Columbus and Macon, and all I'm sayin is Columbus feels more slow paced than Macon.

Macon with the 2 main interstates and 475 sees lots of traffic flow, especially considerin I-75 holds bundles of traffic headed to Florida and to Atlanta. We actually have a skyline, our mall is much nicer and the whole urban vibe is felt stronger than Columbus, whch is pretty much in the middle of nowhere with that branch off of 85 (185).

An aspect of URBAN VIBE would be to have a nice social setting, and in that part of Georgia I know plenty people would would rather hang out in Albany than Columbus.

Columbus just feels like some super sized Suburb

[georgia478]

Don't put words in my mouth I'm not talkin about which is "better" overall. I'm talking about which one feels more like a city. I know overall Columbus has a slightly larger population, is a safter place to live, and more jobs to offer than Macon, but it just feels like a country town thats spreaded out.

And as I stated previously, with our heavy traffic flow, tons of interstate, Skyline, and Poverty Problems....Macon just seems more like a City.

I'm not sayin one is "BETTER" than the other.

It's just that some of you are comng off like Columbus is so much of a CITY and Macon is a COUNTRY TOWN, but anyone who had lived in both cities can tell you Macon is the faster of the two.

Lets get serious. I'm sure Columbus has the lousiest skyline for any hub city in the country that has a population as big as (185,000). Same Goes for the mall and night life.

There are plenty of cities with Columbus' Population and LOWER that feel WAAAAY more like a true city

This post has been edited by georgia478: 27 December 2006 - 05:43 PM

[gah]

georgia478, on Dec 27 2006, 06:32 PM, said:

Don't put words in my mouth I'm not talkin about which is "better" overall. I'm talking about which one feels more like a city. I know overall Columbus has a slightly larger population, is a safter place to live, and more jobs to offer than Macon, but it just feels like a country town thats spreaded out.

And as I stated previously, with our heavy traffic flow, tons of interstate, Skyline, and Poverty Problems....Macon just seems more like a City.

I'm not sayin one is "BETTER" than the other.

It's just that some of you are comng off like Columbus is so much of a CITY and Macon is a COUNTRY TOWN, but anyone who had lived in both cities can tell you Macon is the faster of the two.

Lets get serious. I'm sure Columbus has the lousiest skyline for any hub city in the country that has a population as big as (185,000). Same Goes for the mall and night life.

There are plenty of cities with Columbus' Population and LOWER that feel WAAAAY more like a true city

lets see -- using your own words - Columbus is slightly larger, is "safter" (sic) and has more jobs

BUT

Macon has more traffic, better interstates, a few taller buildings (actually only one or two more but, admittedly, more concentrated than in Columbus) and poverty problems

So Macon is "faster" and seems more of a "true" city

I cannot argue with your logic. So I concede. But I would point out that using your criteria, Lagos Nigeria, Mexico City or any other third world city is "faster" and more of a "true" city than say London or Paris (both of which lack impressive skylines and massive highways running through DT). The simple truth of the matter is that Columbus IS a "spreaded out" (sic) country town. Just like Macon and Augusta. And Atlanta too, for that matter, according to New Yorkers and Californians. Which one "feels" more like a city is a matter of subjective opinion, not a matter of provable fact. If Yankees moving rapidly thru on the way to and from Florida is the key, then the race for dominance among the 2d-tier cities is over. Macon wins hands down. But if things like home-grown industries (AFLAC, Synovus and TSYS), culture (Springer, River Center, new CSU River Campus), progressive government count for anything, then it "feels" to me like Columbus is still in the running -- along with Macon, Augusta and Savannah. Just my opinion.

This post has been edited by gah: 27 December 2006 - 08:43 PM

[ATLman1]

georgia478, on Dec 27 2006, 06:32 PM, said:

Don't put words in my mouth I'm not talkin about which is "better" overall. I'm talking about which one feels more like a city. I know overall Columbus has a slightly larger population, is a safter place to live, and more jobs to offer than Macon, but it just feels like a country town thats spreaded out.

And as I stated previously, with our heavy traffic flow, tons of interstate, Skyline, and Poverty Problems....Macon just seems more like a City.

I'm not sayin one is "BETTER" than the other.

It's just that some of you are comng off like Columbus is so much of a CITY and Macon is a COUNTRY TOWN, but anyone who had lived in both cities can tell you Macon is the faster of the two.

Lets get serious. I'm sure Columbus has the lousiest skyline for any hub city in the country that has a population as big as (185,000). Same Goes for the mall and night life.

There are plenty of cities with Columbus' Population and LOWER that feel WAAAAY more like a true city

You need to check out downtown. I am a real estate major at UGA, and I can honestly say that downtown Columbus is slowly turning into an Athens. Will it ever be like Athens...probably not but the bar scene is really good. There are some good cafes and restaurants on Broadway. With CSU moving a lot of students downtown and the new condo developments on both sides of the river, that will bring more people downtown.

I still don't understand why you think Columbus feels "country". How can a city of nearly 200,000 feel country? To the south is one of the worlds largest military bases that is only getting bigger by the day. There is development on every corner. You need to ride around the city and see for yourself. Yes, Macon does have better interstate access but most of those people are just driving down to Florida. The state is talking about extending I-185 south from Columbus all the way down to Florida to take traffic off of I-75. Also, if I-14 is built that would benefit Columbus a lot.

As for skyline, Columbus is lacking. We do have the tallest buildings outside of Atlanta (Government Center and Aflac). If Aflac had its two buildings downtown instead of in midtown, Columbus could claim the top skyline in GA. Columbus does have a lot of potential. The city is looking to build another large convention hotel downtown which should add to the sklyline if it is built. Hopefully something will be announced in the coming months.

This post has been edited by ATLman1: 27 December 2006 - 07:49 PM

[markusparkus]

Pillsbury, on Dec 27 2006, 10:58 AM, said:

I've never been to Columbus, but I"ve been to Macon. Honestly, I don't see much of a difference, and from what I've heard about Columbus, it seems similar to Augusta. Savannah has a slightly different vibe, but we're all basically the same. I do not consider Columbus to be slower than Augusta or Macon. I think Columbus has done a better job with Columbus State than Augusta has with Augusta State. I also think that downtown Columbus is becoming an attractive place (if it's not already). Let's just grow our cities!!!

Does Augusta support or even acknowledge Augusta State as much as communities like Atlanta/Georgia State, Georgia Southern/Statesboro, or my school Kennesaw State/Kennesaw?

In the Atlanta Metro area, Georgia Tech is top dog but other schools still tend to get recognition and support. We never hear anything about Augusta State...except one time my cousin said his uncle taught there, haha.