Aiken County

[PJA]

Graniteville, Vaucluse and Warrenville are close to becoming one merged city. If approved by the state, thjey would be eligible for federal grants and tax dollars would work directly in their community.

[socaguy]

Cool! About how many people would the combined city have?

[Topher1]

Don't remember exactly, but the current new city would just barely meet minimum population and population density requirements for chartering a new city adjacent to a current city... I think the number is somewhere around 7000 at a density of 200-250 ppsm. With a completed Trolley Run Station and Sage Creek, the population swells to 15,000, just by adding only those 2 new subdivisions. There will be a LOT of ripe, undeveloped land in the new city, somewhere around 30-35 sq. miles. As a reference, Aiken is less than half that size, and N. Augusta is around 20 sq. miles.

In other valley news, there's a push for a new I-20 exit at Vaucluse Rd. using private dollars. This will be close to exit 11, between 11 and 18.

[jungletobacco]

Developer proposes residences on river. The North Augusta Planning Commission will consider development plans tonight that could bring more than 250 'high-end' apartment units to a site along the Savannah River near the Fifth Street bridge.

http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/122007/met_177424.shtml

[PJA]

I'm glad to see River North expanding. It seems so seperate from the rest of the city though and hidden too. Maybe this will bring a little visability to the area.

[PJA]

The plans were approved by the North Augusta Planning Comission. This brings the total of developments on the river for North Augusta to 4.

article

[augga706]

North Augusta Growth

expect to see lots of businesses along I-20 and 520 palmetto Pkwy. Exit 5 Starting in early 2008 up to 875 housing units and upscale shops.

some of the dirt neat Exit 1 and I-20 will be developed, but there are still no official plans.

"We're not a bedroom community of Augusta anymore. We have our town identity,"

http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/12897341.html

Edited December 30, 2007 by augga706

[augga706]

North Augusta leaders aim to control growth

Avoiding the congestion that came with growth in Columbia and Richmond counties will be one of the obstacles North Augusta city leaders will have to overcome.

Interstate 520 extension completed by 2009, 2010

Developers have 8,000 homes, plus 2 million square feet of retail space in the planning stages

four-story, $20 million municipal center 2009.

http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/122907/met_178571.shtml

Edited December 31, 2007 by augga706

[augga706]

Graniteville opening 16 million dollar elementary school in fall. Good to see aiken county growing in diffrent parts. I hope we can get some big developments close to lexington county. It would help tying augusta and columbia. Amtrak who wanted to build rail already. Would look even closer

http://www.nbcaugusta.com/news/local/12985067.html

Edited January 3, 2008 by augga706

[augga706]

Downtown Development In Aiken

"There's just a vibrancy and new energy downtown," said Carla Cloud, Director of Aiken's Downtown Development Association.

http://www.nbcaugusta.com/news/local/13146352.html

[socaguy]

Looks like a new Kroger and some additional outparcel space will be built near the Lowes in North Augusta. Here is an excerpt from the article in North Augusta Today,

"The 70,720-square-foot supermarket will be part of the Shops at River Commons along Knox Avenue near Lowe's. Plans for the site include a Kroger gas station and space for an additional 14,000 square feet of retail space to be divided into small shops, according to the site plan."

Also, from the same publication, the zoning commision has given the go-ahead for Savannah River Federal Credit Union to build its 2 story, 60,000 sq. ft. headquarters building on Highway 25.

There will be space on that land to build additional buildings as well.

[cyclingundertheson]

Looks like a new Kroger and some additional outparcel space will be built near the Lowes in North Augusta. Here is an excerpt from the article in North Augusta Today,

"The 70,720-square-foot supermarket will be part of the Shops at River Commons along Knox Avenue near Lowe's. Plans for the site include a Kroger gas station and space for an additional 14,000 square feet of retail space to be divided into small shops, according to the site plan."

Also, from the same publication, the zoning commision has given the go-ahead for Savannah River Federal Credit Union to build its 2 story, 60,000 sq. ft. headquarters building on Highway 25.

There will be space on that land to build additional buildings as well.

[socaguy]

North Augusta has the edge over Evans in the landscaping department as well. They have beautifully landscaped key intersections and entrances to the city much better than Evans has. Interestingly, North Augusta has used lots of Palm trees and subtropicals for their plantings as well, (which I love,) so it has a much different feel than other parts of the metro...especially in warmer months.

[augga706]

Aiken's cool lifestyle attracts Californians

[augga706]

The fastest growing area in Aiken County will soon have quicker response times to fires and other emergencies. Here

[augga706]

Luxury riverfront condos on the savannah river in North Augusta

[augga706]

Amenities, quiet setting sold couple on Graniteville house

[krazeeboi]

From this point on, please include a brief summary of the articles posted. We want to encourage dialogue here, so refrain from simply posting links in the future. Thanks.

[augga706]

Three subdivisions in North Augusta approved

Three subdivisions in North Augusta will bring hundreds of new residences to the city. The concept plan and a plat for phase I of Sweetwater, will be located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 25 and Walnut Lane.

The conceptual plan calls for 484 single family houses and 47 live/work residential units on 90.86 acres. The phase I plat includes 94 residences. The development will require an upgrade of Walnut Lane to six lanes, including two left-turn lanes, at U.S. 25.

Improvements to Walnut Lane, which will include a traffic light, will cost an estimated $1.5 million. Federal Credit Union is building a headquarters nearby.

The conceptual plan and a plat for the second phase of Whatley Place Townhouses, located near the intersection of Five Notch and Austin Graybill roadsThe conceptual plan calls for a total of 142 units. The plat was for the first 53 townhouses.

In other business, commissioners approved Copper Pointe, a community of 28 townhomes on four acres on Womrath Road

Edited March 22, 2008 by augga706

[augga706]

Horse race, socializing lure crowd

Organizers estimated that more than 30,000 people from across the country attended the 42nd Aiken Steeplechase on Saturday.

Edited March 24, 2008 by augga706

[augga706]

Work set to begin on Aiken train depot

Enough money has been raised for construction of a replica of the old Aiken Railroad Depot at Union Street and Park Avenue that work on the building could start in a few months. Friends of the Aiken Railroad committee have managed to raise just over $1.6 million of the $3 million needed to complete the project. "We've still got a ways to go," said Tim Simmons, the committee's chairman, adding that, "If everything falls into place, we can start (construction on) the depot building this summer."

While the committee has been securing funds for the project, the restoration of two vintage railroad dining cars has been under way. Lead paint and asbestos have been removed from the cars, and committee members anticipate that the next step will be completed within 90 days.

"We will be starting the restoration of the exterior of the railroad cars anytime now," Mr. Simmons said.The dining cars will be restored to their 1920s elegance: paneling on the inside, mahogany and walnut carving, chandeliers, draperies, thick carpet and white tablecloths.

The cars will sit next to the depot as a venue for catered parties and other events. Mr. Simmons said he expects construction on the main depot to begin by midsummer, and hopes the building can be finished and furnished within 18 months.

The replica will be built on the exact location of the old depot, which was demolished more than 50 years ago, and will house a railroad museum and the city's tourism office.

Edited March 24, 2008 by augga706

[augga706]

4 story, 68,000-square-foot Municipal Center in North Augusta completed by spring 2009

The building will be the gateway to an extension of downtown toward the river and the Hammond's Ferry town center. A new thoroughfare, Center Street, will tie into Georgia Avenue with a reconfigured and signalized intersection at Bluff Avenue, directing traffic to shops, restaurants and office space along the river.

The more than $20 million building is the largest individual construction project in the city's history, Mr. Bennett said.

Building will be North Augusta new center of activity

[augga706]

Construction in Aiken Meaning More Traffic?

Walgreens, Checkers, Books-A-Million and Hilton Garden Inn hotel are either under construction or in the works. There are also plans -- long term plans -- to have several bypassing roads off Whiskey to other main roads, all to help alleviate the traffic on Whiskey Road.

[Topher1]

Found this picture of the U/C N. Augusta municipal building on northaugustastar.com. This thing is going to have great street presence. The image is apparently a few weeks old, but this is the first time I've seen the full shape of the structure.

Image from northaugustastar.com

[socaguy]

Great Pic! I guess the building will have 4 floors but with all the extra stuff on top will be the height of a 5-6 floor building or maybe more.