HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Events Work Session February 7, 2017
SPECIAL EVENTS COMMISSION CHAMBER
WORK SESSION February 7, 2017 – 1:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Hons. Hardie Davis, Jr., Mayor; Jefferson, Guilfoyle, Sias, Frantom, M.
Williams, Fennoy, D. Williams, Hasan and Davis, members of Augusta Richmond County
Commission; Andrew MacKenzie, General Counsel; Janice Allen Jackson, Administrator;
Nancy Morawski, Deputy Clerk of Commission.
Mr. Glenn Parker, Director of Recreation and Parks Department, made a presentation
regarding the events plan for public parks in Augusta which was prepared by Convention, Sports
& Leisure International Company and consisted of an evaluation of the following City-managed
park areas: Augusta Common, Diamond Lakes Park, Lake Olmstead Park/Stadium/Julian Smith
Casino and Barbeque Pit, Lock and Dam Park, Jessye Norman Amphitheater, Riverfront Marina
and The Boathouse Community Center. A site analysis was done on each park listing the size,
overall usage, strengths and weaknesses of each area. An inventory analysis of the existing
special events in the various areas was presented. The results of over 930 local area resident
surveys were analyzed to indicate the community’s preferences regarding what types of events
they would like to see in the future in the park areas. A comparative analysis of events in the
comparable markets of Greenville, SC, Columbia, SC, Columbus, GA and Savannah, GA was
presented and recommendations were made regarding the specific types of events that might be
considered for the park areas in Augusta. These included events such as a James Brown music
festival, a downtown rock festival sponsored by Augusta University, a Savannah River concert
series, a southern food and hospitality festival, a craft beer and spirits festival, chili/barbeque
cook-offs, a river-oriented public art festival, soccer/lacrosse/flag football/ultimate Frisbee
tournaments, holiday-themed river parade, a family Halloween event and an African American
heritage festival. Other arts/cultural, sporting, water, children’s, holiday and historic celebration
events should also be considered for inclusion. Commissioners made comments and asked
questions regarding various aspects of the points and recommendations that were presented.
At the close of the presentation, the meeting was adjourned.
Nancy W. Morawski
Deputy Clerk of Commission