Other GA Cities Projects Thread

[Martinman]

The telegraph last reported that the Atlanta developer pulled out of the project (the macon developers are still working on it) because of a clash of ideas.  The Macon developers are in the midst of hiring new partners to finish the project.

Nothing ever takes off in Mactown without controversy.  There's still the issue that the city is going broke but they're steady wasting money on downtown beautification projects, renovations, etc.  Gotta love Mayor Ellis. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You see efforts to make the heart of the city a desirable, livable place as wasting money?

[wks2003x]

You see efforts to make the heart of the city a desirable, livable place as wasting money?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Of course not, but you have to look at the economic situation that Macon is in a little closer. The city's going broke and we're all aware of it. I found it odd that at first, the city considered selling the convention center to a private company so that they wouldn't have to pay the high costs to manage it. Then, the city suddenly decided that they will not only keep the convention center, but they will build a new hotel to go with it. Doesn't seem like the sort of thing that a city with dwindling coffers would do.

[Spartan]

If the convention center and hotel idea is flawed, what else would you rather them do?

[socaguy]

The telegraph last reported that the Atlanta developer pulled out of the project (the macon developers are still working on it) because of a clash of ideas.  The Macon developers are in the midst of hiring new partners to finish the project.

Nothing ever takes off in Mactown without controversy.  There's still the issue that the city is going broke but they're steady wasting money on downtown beautification projects, renovations, etc.  Gotta love Mayor Ellis. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

LOL....Macon sounds like Augusta. It always takes a few years for anything to ge4t built because there is always some kind of controversy. They cannot just get a building approved and build it like they do in Atlanta or larger cities...

[wks2003x]

If the convention center and hotel idea is flawed, what else would you rather them do?

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For starters, the city could try annexing parts of Bibb County to gain a little more tax money. You wouldn't believe how small Macon's city limits are compared to the size of its urbanized area.

I do think that a hotel is a step in the right direction, just not right now.

socaguy: I suppose all of Georgia's second-tier cities face similar problems. In Georgia, everyone except Atlanta waits, lol.

[wks2003x]

Update: The hotel project is back on track. The city will begin accepting bids for the hotel development on Friday (which will be privately funded, thank goodness). The hotel will cost around $35 million and the city expects construction on the hotel to be complete by 2008.

[Spartan]

Thanks for that update, wks!

It seems that the further away from Atlanta a city is, the better off it seems to be (Savannah and Valdosta come to mind)

[Martinman]

Thanks for that update, wks!

It seems that the further away from Atlanta a city is, the better off it seems to be (Savannah and Valdosta come to mind)

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Gainesville, Athens, Chattanooga are close and have metros that are growing at healthy rate.

[t7911]

in athens...

they built a convention center awhile back, and its only getting bigger, helping to expand downtown another few blocks.

http://onlineathens.com/images/082305/21236_512.jpg

there's already one bridge across that street, in the background. And another bridge will connect that parking deck to a train/bus station that's being built to the left(in antipation of a commuter rail). then there's a 9 story building going up down the block(they're moving dirt around at the moment), and potentially a 5 or 6 story one behind where the picture was taken.

[Metroinspect.]

Do any body have a picture of Athens skyline

[t7911]

Do any body have a picture of Athens skyline

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i have some i took on slide film that i've yet to do develop. if i get bored today and can find a digital camera to borrow, maybe i'll try and take some.

[dougtha1]

The telegraph last reported that the Atlanta developer pulled out of the project (the macon developers are still working on it) because of a clash of ideas.  The Macon developers are in the midst of hiring new partners to finish the project.

Nothing ever takes off in Mactown without controversy.  There's still the issue that the city is going broke but they're steady wasting money on downtown beautification projects, renovations, etc.  Gotta love Mayor Ellis. 

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Yea the Atlanta developer pulled out but hes pursuing the project independtly with his ATL crew and the Macon crew is too. So basicaly they are each others competition now.

[dougtha1]

The Medical Center of Central Georgia is helping out Downtown Macon a lot. They are building a new Heart Institute in the Medical District. Its about 8 or 9 stories tall. Another addition the the largest hospital outside Atlanta (Grady)

http://www.mccg.org/images/GHCNewBldg.jpg

Edited September 21, 2005 by dougtha1

[Lady Celeste]

Target to build Savannah warehouse!

Kudos to Savannah and the Savannah Port Authority!!!!!

Target Corp. has set its sights on Georgia, planning what could be the largest facility at the port of Savannah.

Gov. Sonny Perdue is expected to announce today that the Minneapolis discount retailer plans to build a 2 million-square-foot import warehouse and hire 200 to 500 employees, people familiar with the deal said.

Target's warehouse, to open by 2007, would be built on about 200 acres owned by the Georgia Ports Authority

[Newnan]

I wonder how this will effect the growth of savannah

[ironchapman]

Hey, Lady celeste! Word has it that IKEA's looking to build a warehouse in Savannah. No final word on it, but it's good to know they are considerong our very own Savannah. They say they aren't committed to building in GA, but thecompany is exploring the possibility of building more stores in the Southeast.

AJC Article

[Lady Celeste]

Hey, Lady celeste! Word has it that IKEA's looking to build a warehouse in Savannah. No final word on it, but it's good to know they are considering our very own Savannah. They say they aren't committed to building in GA, but thecompany is exploring the possibility of building more stores in the Southeast.

AJC Article

Ironchapman, thanks for the article. I totally wish they put this in the Savannah area. I wonder what are they going to do with the Pooler, Ga site just outside of Savannah. The one that Diamler-Chrysler was once considering for a new auto factory.

[Newnan]

how big do you think Savannah could get?

[Lady Celeste]

how big do you think Savannah could get?

Savannah proper may not experience that much growth from these warehouses. Being that they are regional jobs, employees will probably come from far and wide. There will however be some growth but I think with the unemployment rate being what it is in that part of Georgia, most of the jobs will be absorbed by citizens already in the metropolitan Savannah area.

[SavannahGa]

^Agrees.

[socaguy]

There is some construction going on at Fort Gordon, outside of Augusta, as this article states. Nothing too huge though, and being on base it wont matter to civilians anyway. Some of the projects are interesting though and idea of having a "downtown area" of Fort Gordon is even kind of nice. Whats next, they'll turn the PX into a "Lifestyle Center"?...lol!

http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/10310...031MilCon.shtml

[DaGABoyStinger]

Hey, here another aerial vew of the proposed "Villeges at Riverwatch" still to open in Fall 2007.

ALSO in other news, It was just announced in the AUG chronicle again that ANOTHER Lifestyle center is under development in Augusta, making this #4 for the area!!!.

So here's what we have now in development

1. Villages at Riverwatch (Fall 2007)

2. Augusta Mall Lifestyle expansion (summer 2007)

3. Marshall's Square (Evans) (by 2008 or 2009 for retail)

4. The Avenue (Richmond/Columbia Co line, Martinez)(dates unknown)

YES, The same "The Avenue" that is already in Atlanta (East Cobb, West Cobb, and Peachtree City), the same developers. Construction and completion dates are still unknown at this point, but development is apparently under way. The proposed location is at the intersection of Riverwatch Pkwy and Fury's Ferry Rd.

Also according to the paper, AUG could really have 5 lifestyle type centers. They are also including Surrey Center as one, which is an older shopping center (built in the 60's). Very Upscale witho some of the most fancy restaurants and stores in the area.

Surrey Center (built in 1969)

Edited November 13, 2005 by DaGABoyStinger

[PJA]

Hey, here another aerial vew of the proposed "Villeges at Riverwatch" still to open in Fall 2007.

ALSO in other news, It was just announced in the AUG chronicle again that ANOTHER Lifestyle center is under development in Augusta, making this #4 for the area!!!.

So here's what we have now in development

1. Villages at Riverwatch (Fall 2007)

2. Augusta Mall Lifestyle expansion (summer 2007)

3. Marshall's Square (Evans) (by 2008 or 2009 for retail)

4. The Avenue (Richmond/Columbia Co line, Martinez)(dates unknown)

YES, The same "The Avenue" that is already in Atlanta (East Cobb, West Cobb, and Peachtree City), the same developers. Construction and completion dates are still unknown at this point, but development is apparently under way. The proposed location is at the intersection of Riverwatch Pkwy and Fury's Ferry Rd.

Also according to the paper, AUG could really have 5 lifestyle type centers. They are also including Surrey Center as one, which is an older shopping center (built in the 60's). Very Upscale witho some of the most fancy restaurants and stores in the area.

Surrey Center (built in 1969)

Where did you find that overview for the Villages at Riverwatch?

[socaguy]

Funny, i always thought Columbia County would be the next site for a Avenues Lifestyle Center.

I drove by Surrey Center today and noticed the assortment of stores...Talbots, Chicos, Jos Bank....typical Lifestyle Center Stores.

I also drove by the Marshall square development in Evans and FINALLY they have started on this development, which will include shops, offices, condos and possibly a hotel. Its a really nice looking multi-use development. A first for Augusta (except for Hammonds Ferry in North Augusta which got underway this spring). Looks like Augusta is going crazy over Lifestyle Centers!!!

[DaGABoyStinger]

both pics were taken from The Augusta chronicle's website, from the Nov 13 issue under the archives. http://chronicle.augusta.com