The Village at Riverwatch

[GAOnMyMind]

I hope all those businesses have flood insurance, and not pass it on the taxpayers. Because building that close to the river, and relying on the dam and lock to hold back water is a prescription for trouble (Katrina anyone?).

Any riverfront projects need to carefully consider the risks, and also consider the population it will serve (I hope this isn't another economic segregation project, since it's out of the way for non Columbia county residents to use -- maybe by design?).

Augusta has novel ideas, but like it's roadways, the planning stinks. If you remember the flood of 1990, it showed how planners ignored, or just hoped, that runoff from these concrete jungles would just "disappear". I can also bet, that the same runoff basins won't be built for this shopping mecca, due to cost, too.

After seeing the property taxes go up this year by a third, really grown tired of these "pretty" projects that wind up costing taxpayers more in the end (for if we really did get the true operating costs, even tax and spend Dems would balk at the proposals), with just 10% enjoying it's pleasures.

Refurbish downtown. Because if Augusta goes, Evans and Martinez (that's pronouced Martin-ez to non locals) would go down the tubes, as they rely on Augusta proper for employment (unless they want to be sales clerks and pizza delievers). Then all of the population can get to the stores, not just those with 4x4s and a life raft.

[Pillsbury]

In my opinion they're not respecting the land. It killed me a few weeks ago to be out on the canal adn to look up and see this monstrous strip mall----I know it's going to be nice and upscale and all that, but they're killing the canal with this thing.

[Pillsbury]

Sorry I double-posted.

[Buckley]

In my opinion they're not respecting the land. It killed me a few weeks ago to be out on the canal adn to look up and see this monstrous strip mall----I know it's going to be nice and upscale and all that, but they're killing the canal with this thing.

[PJA]

Well the canal is manmade anyway and besides there's loads of growth on the river. If done right..any construction along the waterside can be pulled off while respecting the land. I have faith this will work out right especially with the Augusta Canal organization behind it.

[GAOnMyMind]

The canal folks are behind it, huh?

Just wait for the runoff from the parking lot to seep into the water table. All that antifreeze and oil has to go somewhere.

All that wildlife and nature lost, so some folks can buy some clothes made by some slave in China and sold for $75, and look at pretty "urban warfare". :shakeshead:

Development is living with nature. Not destroying it.

[PJA]

The canal folks are behind it, huh?

Just wait for the runoff from the parking lot to seep into the water table. All that antifreeze and oil has to go somewhere.

All that wildlife and nature lost, so some folks can buy some clothes made by some slave in China and sold for $75, and look at pretty "urban warfare". :shakeshead:

Development is living with nature. Not destroying it.

[GAOnMyMind]

The canal is manmade to begin with and doesn't look all that spectacular to me...at least not that part of it. I think this will be a good thing and there will of course be a buffer between the canal and the village. This is one of the best projects to come to Augusta in ages and it's about time more businesses come.

[CanukInAugusta]

That canal has more importance than any shopping strip in Augusta, period. Without it Augusta would still be an outpost. It was built by Chinese laborers who traveled thousands of miles to toil in it's construction. Those laborers turned into shopkeepers and added to the community.

Augusta needed the canal as much as a police and fire department.

Now how important is that mall compared to the canal?

[GAOnMyMind]

How did you think jobs were made in Augusta in the first place?

But let's flip this on it's ear more: what jobs are being proposed again? Does it pay $14/hr, have health insurance, a 401k and paid vacation?

If no, Augusta doesn't need anymore slave labor jobs -- it needs living wage jobs.

[PJA]

That canal has more importance than any shopping strip in Augusta, period. Without it Augusta would still be an outpost. It was built by Chinese laborers who traveled thousands of miles to toil in it's construction. Those laborers turned into shopkeepers and added to the community.

Augusta needed the canal as much as a police and fire department.

Now how important is that mall compared to the canal?

[CanukInAugusta]

Augusta really needs to let go of the past. Yes in the past the canal did a lot for the economy, but what is it doing now? The main thing that the canal can be used for is for tourism and building a nice village along it will definitely help.

And yes this mall is bringing a lot of jobs. Maybe not the best but why turn away any jobs at all. Everybody isn't going to have 401k and make over 100,000 per year. That's life.

[GAOnMyMind]

Augusta really needs to let go of the past. Yes in the past the canal did a lot for the economy, but what is it doing now? The main thing that the canal can be used for is for tourism and building a nice village along it will definitely help.

[GAOnMyMind]

And lets not forget that the mall is located in Richmond County, which is where all those tax dollars will be staying.

[PJA]

Without Augusta's past there wouldn't be an Augusta. It's it's past that makes it quaint. It's the past that makes the South unique. This isn't NYC or San Francisco, traditions and history shape Southern history like no other region in the USA.

Because welfare doesn't help anyone. No health insurance and 401k the workers will be on the public dole at any time. A living wage is important for self-sufficiency and truly being independent - not living on the government teat.

Living wage jobs with sustainable options, not pass the buck on taxpayers so a few businesses can get their own welfare checks.

[GAOnMyMind]

That's like asking a slave if he'll like to work with chains on his limbs, or under a whip. Just any job just passes the overall expense of their upkeep onto everyone, making it but welfare by business for the taxpayer to pay.

No, it's not right or even ethical.

When your health isn't 100% (which happens when you're not 20 anymore), you don't look at jobs for a quick buck. If you look at the demographics of Augusta, most are 30+ in age -- read that again -- over 30 years-old. That's the age for families, and families need jobs that pay to bring them up, properly.

What's wrong in business is thinking by paying low wages they're doing the community a service. They're not. They just pass the expense on taxpayers, because if a low wage worker can't pay for treating an illness, or basic housing, the government does.

Wrong on all accounts.

BTW, our future lies in the past. For if we don't learn from it, we're doomed to keep repeating the same mistakes (another abandoned strip mall anyone?).

[PJA]

I'm not saying we don't need better jobs....but turning away lower paying jobs is not going to bring higher paying jobs. One has nothing to do with the other. If you look at some of the things being planned you will see that Augusta is trying to step up the job market. There's ADP coming and an announcement of another company that is coming...plus there's loads of opportunity in the medical field and in the teaching field if you want to make a decent living. Yes we could use more jobs and more industry....but it's not going to happen overnight and you shouldn't just pass up other opportunities because you want more.

[Pillsbury]

I'm surprised you are the first to notice or acknowledge this.

[PJA]

Update on the Riverwatch project...first the bad news:

The project is going to be put on hold for about 6 to 9 months.

The good news is that it is becuase more major businesses have discussed becoming apart of this major project. A few hotel chains and major restaurants are just some of the new businesses that have expressed interest. The opening date is now scheduled for the beginning of 2009.

[CanukInAugusta]

Update on the Riverwatch project...first the bad news:

The project is going to be put on hold for about 6 to 9 months.

The good news is that it is becuase more major businesses have discussed becoming apart of this major project. A few hotel chains and major restaurants are just some of the new businesses that have expressed interest. The opening date is now scheduled for the beginning of 2009.

[socaguy]

I wonder which new "major businesses" want to become a part of the Lifestyle Center. Im all for a delay, especially if its because the size of the project will become much bigger...(maybe?)

[CanukInAugusta]

I wonder which new "major businesses" want to become a part of the Lifestyle Center. Im all for a delay, especially if its because the size of the project will become much bigger...(maybe?)

[biker815]

Augusta is long overdue for a BassPro, or even maybe a Cabela's. With this being on the interstate, and since there are no other basspro shops on I-20 in South Carolina or Georgia, (the one in atlanta is on I-85 and macon is on I-75) I think its a good shot basspro may want to build one here.

[PJA]

Here's the article from the Chronicle:

"The Villages at Riverwatch, an upscale lifestyle center under construction at River Watch Parkway and Interstate 20, will expand its 800,000 square foot project to include hotels, restaurants and additional retailers.

That addition will delay the second phase of the project by six to nine months as MGHerring Group, the developer behind the shopping center, negotiates tenant agreements and government approvals.

The firm would not name possible tenants.

The Villages at Riverwatch had previously announced it's major anchors as Belk, Dillard's and Starplex Cinemas."

Would a literal interpretation of the suggest that phase 1 will still open on time, but only phase 2 be delayed?

[socaguy]

Must be something big if they have to redesign for additional retailers. I mean they were already planning on the 2 department stores, theater, restaurants and 100 smaller stores...plus the outparcels with Dicks, etc. Im looking forward to what Hotels will be a part of the mix too. Im betting on a Drury Inn and perhaps the Raddison that was announced for the other side of the Parkway.