Augusta...Downtown, Medical District, Old Towne

[socaguy]

If done right, this area could rival riverwalk. This is probably one of my favorite "longterm" projects in the Augusta area. Making the area livable will do wonders for all of Dowtown.

[PJA]

Here's an article on the possible remodeling of the civic center.

[Pillsbury]

Here is kind of funny article about the new Blue Horse music venue opening up in the old Federal Building at Broad and 8th Street. It seems that Peter Knox, the former owner of DTIMM'S had a blue horse on his balcony and thought that it was copyright infringement for the new club to call itself the Blue Horse. Anyway, here is the article in the Augusta Chronicle

[PJA]

The Blue Horse will be bringing a lot of traffic to downtown. Their first event was very successful from what I heard.

[Pillsbury]

^Hope so, it looks like a cool place...

Here is badly written article from the Chronicle about the James Brown statue on Broad. Chronicle

Edited July 27, 2006 by Pillsbury

[PJA]

Here's an update on the University Hospital expansion

update

[PJA]

Tony Wilson, the guy whose band backed James Brown at the festival, has come up with a plan to create a billboard on the expressway that would invite people to come downtown and have take a picture with the James Brown statue. I think it's a good idea that would drive more travelers downtown, espcially those that just drive through Augusta without ever getting off of I-20.

[PJA]

The Imperial Theatre is set to install a new 160,000 dollar marquee. Here's the story.

[DaGABoyStinger]

From some of the rumors I've heard off of one of the local Augusta news channels. There already seems to be some talk about Downtown getting ready to "boom" again (as in how it was before the 1980's). The Development Authority apparently has been getting some calls from people who want to see about relocating, or opening up businesses in Downtown, with the sparking of the New Watermark Condos. Any thoughts or comments on this?

[Pillsbury]

From some of the rumors I've heard off of one of the local Augusta news channels. There already seems to be some talk about Downtown getting ready to "boom" again (as in how it was before the 1980's). The Development Authority apparently has been getting some calls from people who want to see about relocating, or opening up businesses in Downtown, with the sparking of the New Watermark Condos. Any thoughts or comments on this?

I would love to see it happen. What I would really see happen (and I don't mean to be harsh) is to see the lower end of Broad Street bulldozed and/or renovated, and the strip clubs and pawn shops forced to leave. That area of Broad is scary between Old Town and 7th Street. As far as I'm concerned, the only redeeming quality of that end of Broad Street is Luigi's and since he's currently thinking of moving to Evans, I say it's a done deal. If these condos on the river work out, maybe businesses (and maybe even more condos) will move in over on Broad Street. Just a bit of wishful thinking.

[socaguy]

Are you serious? Luigis is thinking of moving to Evans?

[Pillsbury]

^ well sort of, the Chronicle did a story recently and he mentioned how tired he was of operating downtown. Then he said that he and his family had thought about moving the business to Evans. But his restaurant is still open and there is still a good crowd down there I believe. Hopefully it continues because I think he's had enough of our inept government.

Edited to include link to the story: Luigi's

Edited August 1, 2006 by Pillsbury

[socaguy]

I dont blame him for being tired of the politics in Augusta-Richmond County. I would rather see him move (If he absolutely has to) to North Augusta, perhaps even Aiken over Evans.

[PJA]

I dont blame him for being tired of the politics in Augusta-Richmond County. I would rather see him move (If he absolutely has to) to North Augusta, perhaps even Aiken over Evans.

I see your point but people have got to realize that there are going to be problems everywhere. Besides things are really looking up for downtown. Now would not be the right time to leave.

[Pillsbury]

^ I agree, all of these people are so convinced that if they just move their store to Evans they'll suddenly have people lined up at their doors. A lot of times, however, even with a place like Luigi's that's known by pretty much everyone in town, is that they'll move to the Evans, own the Italian food market for a little while, but then in a couple of years when Macaroni or Carrabas opens up people out there will forget that Luigi's ever existed. Mr. Ballas has a strong customer base down here and he needs to stay down here.

Who knows, maybe he was just trying to get the attention of the morons who run this city.

[PJA]

Another thing is I think that locally owned restuarants have a better chance downtown. like you said if a Macaroni Grill or another "chain" italian restaurant opens close to Luigi's in Evans, it will decrease business. As of right now there aren't that many chain restaurants close to downtown.

[PJA]

Fat Man's Cafe will be coming to Fort Discovery on the Riverwalk. They will be located in the old Gorin's restuarant area inside Ft. Discovery.

[Pillsbury]

^ Wow, that's interesting!!! Will they keep their place on Laney Walker open? That thing is funky; I like it.

[PJA]

Yeah they will still be open on Laney Walker. They also have a catering buisness located inside Enterprise Mill and a store in Evans.

[socaguy]

Here is an article about the New Image of Downtown Augusta.

http://websearch.cs.com/cs/boomframe.jsp?q...bc26news.com%2F

[PJA]

Here's an article about a building downtown

http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/082606/bus_94026.shtml

Downtown is really booming.

[PJA]

Another restaurant comes downtown. The Aiken based New Moon opens it's second location in downtown Augusta. Here's the article on this interesting eatery.

[jungletobacco]

downtown was way better before the two malls were built.........just look

downtown was way better before the two malls were built.........just look

[PJA]

The new Fat Man's Cafe is now open inside of Ft. Discovery.

However the Mocha Delites coffe house downtown has closed.

[Pillsbury]

That's cool about Fat Man's. That sucks about Mocha. I wonder why they closed. The lunch crowd always seemed strong.