HomeMy WebLinkAboutComprehensive Plan
Augusta Richmond GA
DOCUMENT NAME: Co mVr-eher-o\ ve -Y\0Xl
DOCUMENT TYPE:
YEAR 'lDO~
BOX NUMBER: TLQ
FILE NUMBER:
\', \ \O~
NUMBER OF PAGES: l-l (Q
,:1d
AUGUSTA -RICHMOND COUNTY
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
./
,.
I
FEBRUARY 2004
p'repared for:
Augusta Commission
Augusta-Richmond County Planning Commission
Prepared by:
Staff of Augusta-Richmond County Planning Commission
, ;'3
. -1_
'1 '3456 7~,<"
'\ ,.... ;;J ?"
~I ~~.,.\
i?J (\~ "~ ~
00 "," .,j;.'l
~ ~~\~'1 CJi
'l;~ ~ /;j
l~4 ~J
~~ ~~
J!-;" .,(tili
e.[;'C~lL~O(.l
RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE AUGUST A-RICHMOND COUNTY
CONPREHENSIVE PLAN AS ITS OFFICIAL COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN
WHEREAS, Augusta, Georgia, a political subdivision of the state of Georgia, has
completed a major update of the Augusta-Richmond County Comprehensive Plan, including a
five-year Short Term Work Program, in accordance with the Minimum Standards and
Procedures for Local Comprehensive Planning established by the Georgia Planning Act of
1989;
WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan was prepared in accordance with the Minimum
Standards and transmitted to the Central Savannah River Area Regional Development Center
(ROC) and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA);
WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan was found to meet the Minimum Planning
Standards by the ROC and DCA;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE AUGUSTA-
RICHMOND COUNTY COMMISSION hereby adopt the "Augusta-Richmond County
Comprehensive Plan" as the official Comprehensive Plan for Augusta in accordance with the
Georgia Planning Act of 1989.
nUL Y this 17th day of February, 2004 by a vote of JCl yeas and --16.- nays with
-flS- abstaining or absent.
AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY
COMMISSION
O/Q- By ~~~
sd Z6 . As its Mayor
Attest:
'lJCk(f tJ 'lnf71~
M,o. Cler
THE AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY
COMPREHENmVEPLAN
Table 'of Contents
I NT ROD V CT ION ----------------------------------------------------------------------------C H A PT E R I
Pre f ac e ---- - - - n_ -- - - - - n -- __n n____ - - - ---- ________n n -- - - - - _____u_____ -- ____ __ __ n____n n nu__u__ -- ---- -- 1- I
Public Participation ____m___________~mm__mmm__________m____mmmmmmu_____mmmml-1
The P lann ing Process ________nu______u______~______nnn____u_u__uu__________nu__u_____u_________I_ 2
Step I: Inventory and Assessment--m----m-m----m-m------m-m-mmm-------_m_I_2
Step 2: Statement of Needs & Goa Is _m__________mm_m_____m__m__mm___m__m__. 1-2
Step 3: Implementation Strategy ____~___m__m____________________m_m___m____mmuul-2
PI an Elements ____________________unu________________u___n__u______________nn_n__n___________n_nu 1-3
Popu lat i on __u_____uu_____________u__________________n_n____________________n_________________I_ 3
H ous i ng _n__n____u_________________________u___________________n____u____u______________nunl_ 3
Econom ic Deve lopment __mmu~-----------------mmmmm-------m------mumum--I- 3
T ra ns port at i on nn____'_______________u__u__________________n_u___u_________n________u_______ I -4
Community Facilities and Services ---_m_m___m__________m____mm_mm______________1_4
I-I i stori c R eso u rces u_u______________n__un____________'________n_n_____n________nn~___n___ .1-4
Natural Resources and Greenspace nnn__u__________________u___nn_____________un_un__1_4
Land U se nn__u_u~------------nn------------nn--n--n----n--~----------_uuu____n_______ 1-4
Implementation Strategy ____~____m_____mm____m___m_m___"-mm--m---m---m--------m__m 1-5
PO P V LA T ION _____m__________________________________________m.---------------------------C H A PT E R 2
I n trod u ct ion ------ n___n_____u - - 00 ------------ n_ n - - --- - ___________n_n_ -00 - - ----~____ __ n~___ 00---- ---- ---2 _.]
Th e Plan n i ng A rea ______u____.______________"___u_u_______________u___u_____________nn___uu_"________ 2 - I
Population and Household Trends----mum~-------m--mm------____________m______m__2-1
Popul at ion by Cen sus. Tract __~_______________n____n___________u_~-------,------------________n 2-4
Race and Sex Characteristics ________________________un_u___n____nn__"_________________----2-5
Popu lation by Age um____m______________m___________m____m____________m_.:--------m--2-7
Ed u ca t i on a 1 A tt a i n men t ---- ------------------- -- -- --- ---------------- - - ----- --------------------- 2 - 9
I ncome ____n_un______________________________________________________________u______u_______u 2-1 I
Augusta-R ichmond County Tomorrow _______m________m_______________________m_________mm__-2-13
Popu lati on Proj ections ___________________n__________________________n________u___------------ 2 -.13
Household and Housing Projections ----mm--------mmm-m---__m___m__________m2_15
Employment Projections ____________m:-___________________~----m-~---m-m--m-----------2-16 .
H 0 V SIN G ------------------------------.-------------------------------------------------------C H A PT E R 3
I n trod u ct ion ------ - __________n - - --- - --------- - -- - - ---------- ----- - ___on ---------- ____n__ _u_____ __n __n n__ 3 - J
Res i den t i a I Deve I opmen t Pattern s _________m______m_____m_____________m______mm__m_~_____---- 3 - I
H ous i ng Unit Trends _____________m_________________"----m-m:-----------------m____m_______m__~__ 3 - J
H ous i n g Ten ure _________-___nc_____~__________n___________________________________________________c______n_ 3 - 5 .
Vacant H ous ing U nit ___________~-----nnn-~------n-nn--------nn---n-------------nn.---nn-----n-- 3- 7
A ge of H ous i n g __n___________~----------------n--------------n---------n----____c______n__n__________n 3 - 8
H ous i ng Cost _____________n_____n_______n_n___n_______n_______n_____n______________~___~n_____n_____ 3 -I 0
Housing Cond itions mm______~--m--------m-----m---u--mn~------m~n-~-mm----_m_m_____ 3-12
Housing for the Homelessn-m---m--------n-m----n--m--m-------------m------,---m-----------3-13
Housing Production and Programs ______m_nmnm___m_m___m_mmc~_~_m____m__m____m_3-15
Pu b I ic H ou sin g _n_nnn______ _n________n________n_______________n__n___________~_______n__n_n______ 3 -16
Summary of Housing Needs _______m_nm___m__m_____m___m__m~_m_n__m___mn__mm_n3-17
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT _n________m________n________m_n________nn__m__nCHAPTER 4
I n trod u ct ion -- - -------- n__ n - - - - -- -- --- -- - - - - - - -- --- - ------ - --------- - - -- - - - - - - --- n____ -c---- -- ---- -~ -- -- - - -- 4- I
Augusta M etropo I i tan A rea--n----n------ n________n______n__u_____n_________n______n______~nn___-4_I
Fort Gordon and the Savannah River Site ________n_m_______mm__m__u_mm__________4-2
. .
Economic Base of Augusta _n__m_m____m____m__nn____________mm___m__m__________n_-m---4-3
Em p I 0 ym en t by Sec t or -------- - - ----- - _____u_ _m___ ----- __on - ----------- - _,m ------ - m__m - -4-4
Wage Leve I s _____n__________________________________n_______________-------------------n--7---~-4- 5
I ncolne and Earn i n gs_____________nn______________________n_______________-----~----------------4- 7
Labor Force Characteristics ___n_n________________n_________________n__mmmc_______---------------4-10
Labor Force and Employment m____7m____m_m_______m~_____________m___m__________4-11
Labor Force Participation _____m____u__m______m_________________________m__mm_m__4-12
Oc c u pa ti 0 n s -- ------- _n_n______n_ _____n__n_n___ _n______ ___n_ - -- - ----- - ___n_____n___ -----4 - I 3
Com m u ti n g Pattern S7---n-- _______n_________nn__________ ----- -------------- _____nn________-4_ 14
Recent Economic Activities and Trends ___m___m__nm_______m______~.-m---~-mn--------------4-15
-Economic Development Resources _m______mn__m___m______mm_________________m_______m__4-17
Economic Development Agencies n_______n_____mc__nn___m__m__m_____m_______m4-17
F i nanc ing M echan i sms ______________m_____mm_____m_m_________________________--------4- 2 I
Summary of Economic Development Needs _m_____m_m__m__m___________nm_m____m____n4-24
T RA N S PO R TAT ION ___________m__________________________________________---------------C H A PT E R 5
I ntrod uct i on ____n______________n_______________________________n______________nn______________n______n_ 5 - I
Roadway N etw ork ___n_______________n_________n_~------nn-----------~---_________n__nn______n______ 5 - I
Interstates, Freeways & Expressways--m--m--m-----nn-~---mm-----m-n---m-m---5-1
Art eri a I s __ __ ________ _ ____ _ __________ _u_ _____ _________ ______ _____ ______________ _ ___n_~ - ------- -- - -- 5 -2
Coil ect ors n_ n___ - - - _____n_______ - - - -- --- _n____ - ____n___ _n_ -- - - _______n n________ ------------ -- 5 - 3
Loca I R oads ______________________n_________n____n___n_________n_________n_______________n___ 5- 3
Ra i I T ra n sporta t ion ________~---'--------------n---n-~-------n-----n--------------------------------------- 5- 3
Air T ran sporta t i on --------,-----------------00---------------------------------------------------------------- 5-4
Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities __________m___mmmmm_m__~m________u_____m_________,mm5-4
Pu b I ic Trans porta ti on --________mmm_7_m__~__________u___________m__~----------_______m__m______ 5-4
Roadway Use and Conditions __m_~~-~--~----._--m----------mm------mmmm--~u~-mm-m-m5-5
T ra ve I Ch aracte ri st i cs _________m_____'~_~-mm-m-~m--~m----m---mm-------------m__ 5- 5
Street and Highway S)istem mm_____m_mm_.-m~_m_mm_m_______u__mm_m______5-7
Intersection Problems __mC___um_______________m_________m__mm__mumm____mm5-1 0
M a i ntenance A cti vities _____nn~____________u__________:..__________________~"nn______-------- 5- I I
Transportation Plans and Projects ___m_____~___,---mmmm--mmm-m-----m-------------------5-12
Road and Bridge Needs ____.----m---m--m---m~-mm----m--------------------~-m----5-12
Rail Transportation Needs mm__m____m__m___mm______m~__mmm---m-m-------5-15
Airport 1\1aster P Ian -------00-------------------------------------------------------------------- 5- \ 7
Bicyc Ie and Pedestrian Plans ___m________m__mmmmm_m___m_m_m______m~_____5-17
Public Transit Needs _____________m____m_m_'__mm_m___m_m_________________mmm5-18
COMMUNITY FACILITIES ANDSERVICES -----m---m--------------------------CHAPTER 6
I n trod u ct ion - - --- -- ------- -- - - ---- - n_ -- -- - ---------- -- - -- 00-- - - u._ -- - - - - - --- u - - - - - -- -- -- - - -------- - - -- - -- ---6- I
Genera I G ove rn ment -00--------------------------------------------------------------.-----------------------6- I
Assessment of General Government Needs -----m_________m_______mmm________m____6-2
Pu b I ic Sa fety _____________________uu___________nn_______________________________________--------------00---6- 2
Richmond County Sheriffs Office ____m___mmm__________________m_________~_mm____6-2
Fire Pro t ec t ion ------- - - - - - -- ------ --------- ------ ------------ - -.--- - - - - ------------00----- - - - -- ----6- 5
Emergency Medical Services ---_mm____m_m______m__m_m________________mm_m___6-7
An ilTIa I Con tro I -----------------------------------------------~------------------------~-----------6- 7
Assessment of Public Safety Needs ____mm____m~_m____m______________m_________m__6-8
Ed u c at ion a \ Fa c i 1 it i es --------------------- - ---------------------- - - -------- ------------------- ----:-------- -6- 9
Assessment of Education Needs -------------------------------------------------~-------------6-1 0
R e creat i on an d Park s ------- - --- - -----------~----------------- ------ - -- ------------- -------------------- ----6- J 0
Parks and Recreation Needs m__________________mm__________m_____________mmm_m__6-\I
Water and Wastewater Systems ____~m__m___~___mm__________________mm______~m_________-----6-\2
Water System ---------------~~-------------------------------------------------------------------6- 12
Finished Water Storage ______mmm________m_________,-m-------m------m-:m-m---m6-15
Water Distribution System -m____m__________________m___________mm_____m___mmm6-15
Future Water Needs _____~_______________mm_____:_______mm_______________mm----------6-16
Wastewater Treatment Facilities ---------m----mm-------m---_____________mm________6-18
Projected Wastewater Flows m__~___m_.---------------m-------m-m-------------~-------6-19
Water and Wastewater System ,Improvements -mm--m-m--m___m__m____mm____6-20
S t ormwater Man agement __mm___________m________________________________m_m________-------------6- 23
Sol id Waste M anagement ____mmmmm____m____________m_______mmmmm.-----------m---6- 25
Cui tura I F aci I it i es ---------------~---------------------------------------------------------------------------6- 2 6
Lib rari es - --- ----- -------- -- ---- -- ----- - - - -- --------- - -'----------- _____u -- ______un ---- -- ____u__ --6- 2 6
Mus e urns ----- -- --.:--- - --------- - ---- ------------ -~-- - ------- --- ---------- ---- -- -------- ------ -- ---6- 27
A ug usta We !come C enter--u--------------------------u---------u---------n-----------------6- 27
Fort D iscovery ---------------------------------------------------~-------------------------------6- 28
Civic Center, Auditoriums, & Perfonning Arts Centers ------------------~---------------------------6-29
Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center ----------------------------------------------------6-29
Be II A ud itori urn n_______________________________________n_________n_________L_____--n-------6- 2 9
I mperi a I Thea tre --------------------------------------------------------------c-------------------6- 29
Sacred Heart Cu ltural Center __u________u_______________________.:____________________________6- 29
M axwe II Perform ing A rts Theatre ____________~---------------~-------------------------------6- 30
Ot her Attract i ons _____________"___n___________________________n_______"_U------u------------------------6- 3 0
R i verwa I k Augusta ____________________________________________________________________________n6- 3 0
A ug usta Go I f and Garden s __________________________________n_________________________________6- 30
Springfie Id Village Park _______________________________,_"________________________________u____6- 30
A ugu sta Com m on __~___________________,-----------------------u-----u---------~--u-----------6- 3 I
Lake Olmstead Stad i uni _____________________________________~______~_____________n________n__6- 3 I
Ph i n izy Swamp Nature Park ________________________________________n_________________________6- 3 I
Augusta Canal National Heritage Area -------------------------------------------------------6-3 I
Hospitals and Related Health Care Facilities __n_____________________n________________________________6-32
Un ivers ity H osp ita I n_____u_u__uu__________n______________u__n__nn______u_n___uu----6- 3 2
Veterans Affairs Med ical Center------------------------------------nn---------------n------6- 3 2
St. Joseph H osp ita I _c________________________________________u________________________,--------~-6- 3 3
Walton Rehabi I itation H ospita I ___,-----------------u~---------------------------n-.:-----n---6- 33
Doctors' H osp ita I __n_______________________________________________________n____________________6- 3 3
Georg i a Reg ion a , H osp i ta I - Au g usta--------------------------~--------------------,----------6- 33
Gracewood State School and Hospital n______________________________________:_____,_________6-34
Dwight D. Eisenhower AmlY Medical Center _____________n_________________n______n_____6-34
Medical College of Georgia and Hospitals------n--------------c--------------------------c-6-34
H I STO R I C R ESO U R C E S -------------------------------------------------------------------CH A PT E R 7
H istori c Overview ______u________________u______________________u_______________-------------------------- 7 - I
In veiltory of-H istoric Resources----n--------,-----------------------------------~----------'--------------- 7 - 3
Historic Preservation Acti~ities ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-6
Survey and N om in ati on ______________________u__________________________________________________ 7-6
Prope rty Re s torat ion ----------- ------------------------,- ----~-- ----- ~-------- - - --- --- ------------ 7-6
Property Rehabilitation and Adaptive Reuse---------------------m---------------------------7-7
Local Historic Preservation Programs-----m------------m------------------~----------------7-7
Participation in Historic Preservation Programs ______________________________m_____________7-8
Historic Documents and Records ____________m______________m__.:_____m________~___________7-9
Assessment of Historic Pre~ervation Nee'ds ____________~__~_________________________________~__________7- I 0
NATURAL RESOURCES AND GREENSPACE ______________m__________m______CHAPTER 8
I n trod u ct ion ----- - - ------ - --------- ---- --- -- -- --- ------------------------------------ ---- ------ -- -- -------- ----- 8 - I
Richmond County's Natura I Environment-----------------------m----m--------m----------n--------8-1
C I i m ate -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------~- 8- I
To po graph y ____ - - -- ------- - --- - ------ - - -- ------- - --- - ------- ------ ---- - ----- ----- -------- - - -- ____u - 8-2
So i I s------ - - - -------- --- ----- ------- - -- - - - - ----- - -- ----- -- --- ------ -------- -ne __n -------- ---00- ---- - 8-2
Agri cu Itura I'a n d Forest Lan d---------------------------------------------------------------------8-4
Plant and Ani ma I H abitat __________________________________________________________________-------8- 5
Major Parks, Recreation and Conservation Areas-----------------"'"-:~"--------------------------------8-6
Sa va nn a h River ________________________________________nn___n___________------------------------ 8-6
A u g us ta Can a 1- --- - - - -- - --00 -- -- - 00- ------ - - - ____on - - - - - - ------------------ ----- ------ ------ --00-- - 8-6
Ph in izy Swamp W MA nn_____n_______________________________________n________________________ 8- 7
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park ----------------~--------------------------------------n---------n'-8-7-
Merry B ri c k ya rd Pon d s--------"----------------------------------~---------------n-------------- 8- 8
S pi r i t Cree k Ed u cat i on F ores t -------------------------------------------------------------------- 8 - 8
Air Qua I i ty ----- - ----- - ---- ----- - - ------- ---- -- - - - - - --- --- ------ - ----- -- - --- - -- - 00 -- ---- ------ - - ___n__n_ 00 - - 00 8 - 9
Water R esources ------------------------------------------------------------------00-------------00--00-----8-/2
Aquifer and Groundwater Recharge Areas---------------------------------------------------8-14
Wet I and s-------------------------------------------------------_________0000____________00_00____00 8-1 7
Water Supply W atersheds-----------------------------------------------------------------------8-19
River and Stream Corridors---------------------------------------------------------------------8- 21
Protected River C orri dor ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8- 23
G ree n s pac e Pro g ra m - -- 00__ - - ------- - - n__ - - - -.- - ----- - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ___00 00_ 00__ --- - - - -- - ---- ---- -- ------ 8-2 3
Sum mary and Needs A sse ssm ent ____________________00___00__00______________________00_00_00__00_____00_ 8 - 24
LA N D U S E----------------------------'-----'--------------n-------------------------------------C H APT E R 9
In trod u ct i 0 n- - ------ - - - - - - - n - --- --- - - - - ----- _____00_ - - n___ - - - ----- --- ----- - ---- 00 -- __n 00 - - 00-- ------ - --- ---- - 9 _ I
Inventory of Ex isting Land Use---------------------n~------------------------n--------------------------9-I
Assessment of Ex ist i ng Land Use -------------------------------------------------------------------~-----9-4
F actors A ff ect i n g Lan d U se---------------------------------------------------------------------- 9- 5
Current Land Use Tre nds--------------------------n-----------------,----------------------------9-6
Effect 0 f Land U se Patterns----------------------------------------------n----------------------9-8
--- Opportunities for Encouraging Infill Development------------------------------,-e-.---------------00--9- I 2
Downtown Redevelopment --------------------------------------------------------------------9- ] 2
Neigh borh ood Rev i ta I izati on-------------------------------------------------------------------9- I 3
Commercial Center Redevelopment __n______~______________________________________________-9-] 4
Smart Growth and Growth Management Initiatives-----------------------n---------------~----------9-15
Future Lan d U se-----------------------------------------------------------_00________00_00__________________ 9- 16
Estimate of Future Residential Acreage-----------n---------------------n-------------------9- 17
Estimate of Future Commercjal & Industrial Acreage--------------------------------------9-17
Estimate of Future Acreage in Other'Land Uses --------------------------------------------9-18
Policies Guiding Future Land Use -----------------------------------------------------------------------9-18
IMP L EM EN TAT ION ST RA T E G Y _______________m________________m__m~___________C H APT E RIO
I n trod u ct ion -- - -- ----- - - ---- - - - - -- -- --- - ------ - -- ------- - -- ----- -------- ---- ------ - - - ------ ------~--- -- -- ----- I 0- I
Goals and Strategies----c-------------------~---------------------------"----------~~-----------------------I 0-1
Coord i na led Imp lem entation---,---------n--------------------------m-----------------m____mmm__ I 0-6
Short Term W ork Progral1l---n--------"-------------------------m--------~-~---_________________m___'__1 0- 7
Plan Am~ndl1lenls and Updales---m--------~---m------------m-----~m---------m--m----m___ml 0-8
Minor Plan Amendment-m-----nm-----------mm-----m-------------------m-----___m_1 0-8
. Major Plan A mendment _____m____________________________m____________n_____________mm_ I 0-8
Short Term Work PrograniUpdates--------"m-----------------m--------m~m--m---m_1 0-8
Comprehensive Plan Updale-------------n---m------------------------------m--------------10-8
Annual Moniloringof Comprehensive Plan--------m---------------------n------m-------I 0-9
SHORT TERM WORK PROGRAM: 2003 - 2007 ____________n__________________~_______m___) 0-1 0
. - ..:"<
Chapter 1 - Introduction
1. Preface
The Augusta-Richmond County Comprehensive Plan is a long-range plan for managing
and guiding Augusta's development over the next 20 years. The Plan. examines the
existing conditions affecting development, enumerates the needs and goals for the future
development of the city, and, spells out the strategy for addressing the needs and
. achieving the goals. The Plan serves as a basis for local decision making regarding
development and as a general resource for infOlmation about the present arid future
condition of the city.
The Augusta-Richmond County Comprehensive Plan has been prepared in accordance
with the Minimum Standards and Procedures for Local Comprehensive Planning
effective on February ], 2002 and administered by the Georgia Department of
Community Affairs. The city must prepare and adopt a comprehensive plan that meets
these standards in order to retain designation as a Qualified Local Government.
Designation as a Qualified Local Government makes the city eligible to apply 'for certain
loan and grant programs administered by state agencies.
The Augusta-Richmond County Comprehensive Plan is the first plan update prepared by
the City. The original comprehensive plan developed under states guidelines was
adopted'in ] 992. At the time, the City and County were separate political subdivisions,
but agreed to jointly develop a comprehensive plan. In 1994, 'the City and County
amended the Plan to incorporate a strategy to protect the Savannah River COlTido!'. This
amendment was made in response to changes in the state guidelines. A new five-year
Short Tenl1 Work Program was developed and adopted in ] 997. Other recent planning
efforts include publication of an updated land use and public facilities plan for the area
covering the former county in ] 995, and updated neighborhood plans for the former city
in 1995 and] 996.
A plan update is not required until the year 2008. However, the City decided that an
update is necessary because conditions, trends and needs in the city have changed
drastically in recent years. The changes occulTed primarily as result of the' 1996
consolidation of Augusta and Richmond County. The resulting municipality's issues
and' concerns are not reflected in the .plan. Also, the release of the 2000 Census provides
an opportunity to review trends with relatively new data. Under an agreement with the
Georgia Department of Community Affairs (see April 17, 200] memo to Mayor Bob
Young), the City agreed to update the Plan by October 20t)), with the understanding that
, the Plan will be updated again in 2008 in compliance with the state's schedule.
1.1 Public Participation
The Comprehensive Plan update stm1ed with a series of five meetings with major
stakeholders. The meetings were held on various dates between August 2000 and
January 2001. Identified stakeholders included representatives from neighborhood
1- ]
Chapter I - Introduction
aSSOcIatIOns, development organizations, realtors, builders, utilities, environmental
organizations, the county school board, and interested private citizens. A committee of
Planning Commission members met with the stakeholders to begin the process of
identifying issues to address'in the Plan.
Between October 25 and December 3,2001 the Planning Commission held a series often
public hearings throughout the city to kick-off the plan update process. A second series
of eleven hearings was held during September 2002 to review issues and opportunities,
obtain feedback on draft goals, objectives and strategies, and review the accomplishments
on the 1998-2002 Shoft Term Work Program. In July 2003 a final round of three public
hearing was held to receive feedback on the draft comprehensive plan. Subsequently, the,
draft was transmitted to the Central Savannah River Area Regional Development Center
and the Georgia Department of ~ommunitY: Affairs for review and comment.
1.2 The Planning Process
The Minimum Planning Standards and Procedures require that the Comprehensive Plan,
be prepared in accordance with a three-step planning process. As out I ined in the Georgia
Department of Community A Hairs regulations, the three steps in the planning process are
Inventory and Assessment, Statement of Needs and Goals, and Implementation Strategy.
1.2.1 Step 1 - Inventory and Assessment
This step is designed to answer the question "What do we have as a community?" A
profile of existing' conditions is necessary in order to plan for the city's future.
Information is required on existing conditions in the areas of population, housing,
economic development, transportation, community facilities and services, natural and
historic resources, and land use in order to complete the community profile.
1.2.2 Step 2 - Statement of Needs and Goals
This step is designed to answer the question "What do we need or want for the future of
the community?" Based upon the inventory and assessment, existing community needs
are identified and goals and objectives for future growth and development are prepared.
The goals provide a vision for the city and a framework for developing more specific
strategies and policies to address the needs.
1.2.3 Step 3 - Implementation Strategy
This step is designed to answer the question "How are we going to get to our desired
future as a community?" It combines all of the plan's recommendations and describes
how they will be implemented. The Short Term Work Program is an integral part of the
1-2
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Implementation Strategy. The Short Term Work Program includes the specific programs
and projects that the city and other stakeholders will implement over the next five years
to carry out the plan. The Implementation Strategy and Sh0l1 Tenn Work Program
ensure that the plan is a useful decision making tool and not a document that sits on a
shelf.
1.3 Plan Elements
The planning p]:ocess is applied to each of the six planning elements required by the
, Minimuni Planning Standards and Procedures. In addition, a transportation element is
added due to the importance of this issue to the future of the city and' the fact that
transportation planning has been an integral part of the community for over 35 years.
Note also that the Natural Resources I Greenspace and Historic Resources elements are
separate from one another. While these issues are intelTelated, separate chapters are
needed to give adequate attention to them. The plan elements are as follows:
1.3.1 Population
This element documents historic population trends, current population characterJstics',
and projected population in Augusta-Richmond County. Specific items addressed
include total population, number and type of households, age distribution, racial
composition, level of education, and income. The inventory and assessment of the
population serves as a foundation for the other five plan elements and helps in
determining community facility needs employment opportunities, housing needs, and
potential impacts on natural and historic resources.
1.3.2 Housing
This element includes an inv~ntory and assessment of the city's' housing stock. It begins
with an overview of residential development patterns and housing unit trends in Augusta.
Census data is used to profile housing unit characteristics including the number of units,
tenure, age, cost and general condition. The housing' needs of the homeless are also
highlighted. Finally, housing production and programs are reviewed that involve the
priyate sector, the city, non-profit organizations, and the local public housing authority.
1.3.3 Economic Development
This element includes an inventory and assessment of the city's economic base, labor
force, and economic development opportunities and resources. Economic characteristics
reviewed include current employment, wage leVels, income, labor force participation,
occupations and commuting patterns. Employment projections are used as one indicator
of expected economic growth, and the citis role in the regional economy is highlighted.
]-3
Chapter 1 - Introduction
The chapter concludes with a summary of the resources (agencies, technical assistance,
and funding) that are available to address economic development needs.
1.3.4 Transportation
This element includes an inventory and assessment of transportation. facilities and
services. Transportation facilities reviewed include the street. and highway network,
railroads, airports, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and public transit. Census data
provides information on the travel characteristics of workers. Information from the
regional travel demand model and other reports offers insight into the problems on streets
and roads. The final section summarizes the plan for future improvements to each of the
major transportation facilities and services.
1.3.5 Community Facilities and Services
This element includes an inventory and assessment of public. facilities and services
provided by the city and other public and private organizations. Existing conditions and
needs ate identified for such fa:cilities as the water and sewerage systems, public safety,
solid waste, schools, ,and libraries and other cultural facilities. An inventory of hospitals
and other public health facilities is also included.
1.3.6 Historic Resources
This element includes a' brief overview of the city's history, followed by an inventory and
assessment of historic resources. Resources covered include National Register and local
historic districts and properties and archaeological resources. A summary of ongoing
activities indicates that many' individuals and organizations are actively surveying,
documenting, preserving and adaptively reusing historic resources. The element
concludes with a general outline of historic preservation needs.
1.3.7 Natural Resources / GreenspaceProgram
This element includes an' inventory and assessment of natural and environmentally
sensitive resources in the city. Topics addressed include topography, soils, agricultural
land and forestland, air quality and, water resources. It also identifies the issues, problems
and opportunities associated with these resources. The city's Greenspace Program is also.
integrated into this element of the plan. The element concludes with a general assessment
of natural resource and greenspace program needs.
.IA
Chapter 1 - Introduction
1.3.8 Land Use
This element includes an inventory and assessment of existing land use in the city. It
begins with an inventory of land use, highlighting the factors and trends affecting local
land use. Land use patterns have contributed to blight an9 lack of investment in some
parts of the city, increased demand on public facilities, and impacted the natural
environment and quality of life. The element also offers some suggestions regarding
opportunities for infill development. The estimated acreage of each of the land use
categories is calculated and projections are made of the amount of land reqllired to nieet
future demands. The element concludes with a list of the general policies that apply to
local land. use decision making. The policies are meant to implement the broad goals
included in the implementation strategy.
1.3.9 Jrnplernentation Strategy
The Plan's Implementation Strategy combines the answers to the three basic questions
that are integral to the planning process. Goals, needs and strategies are enumerated for
each of the plan elements. This is followed by a description of methods used to assure
coordination of plan implementation. The Implementation Strategy concludes with the
Jive-year Short Term Work Program. The Short Term Work Program identifies the
specific projects, including estimated. cost' and responsible entities; to, be undertaken
during the next Jive years to address plan needs and goals.
Augusta will continue to change as time goes by. Changes will be monitored and the
Plan will be amended as the need arises. At a minimum, the Plan will be updated in the
year 2008 ih accordance. with the schedule for plan updates maintained by the Georgia
Department of Community Affairs.
1"5
:E
wtz
~n~r-. 0'> '>
~LJs~::2--~~ ~
~b~~ ~s:
""tJ ::u -< G) == ~.
I --i ~ C 0"" 0
N I ...,
_ G) m en Q)"'T'1
roO --i 0.'0
I)> ::0 )> r: Q)
o ~o.
o COW
Z
j !;h
. . i.!.
ill ~i
. r r"
,m; t. :il
. L f~ .. ~ i
., J. i'.
a Ii !~j
" P II! .
\I.lll'~
pi: ! J~ ~
ii !j. ~!; :
".;' ,u r
" i' .[ f
J: [; Ii: '
r. " .-,
u ~l Hi
JI I. i~.
'; " Hi
, {;r.
! t!H
f r ,.l
/i\\
,,~~;;,
;~~j.' Y"1'1
,~,~ ,}~,
\\~!/
~;-~
~Q'Q
a3~
~"Cl
c. :.
'" "
t'Ii
OJ
c
.,
:lI:"
~
(')
o
c
~
~
)>
:;:
~
~
(')
o
c
~
._-
~ --
en
(')
~
rJ';
2'
Q.
"<
>
.,
~
~
>
C
fJCI
C
en
S'
I
~
n
::s-
a
o
::s
0-
n
o
c
::s
9:
Q
>
Chapter 2 - Population
2. Introduction
This chapter includes basic information about Augusta's residents and households, including
past trends, current characteristics, and forecasts of the future. The data in this chapter provides
a basis for the remaining elements of the plan. Population household and employment
forecasts help determine the demand for housing, jobs, infrastructure improvements, and land
developm~nt consistent with the goals and policies in the plan.
The 2000 Census is the most recent data source used in this chapter. Due to the merger of the
city of Augusta and unincorporated Richmond County in 1996, some characteristics, such as
total population, show a dramatic increase between 1990 and 2000. To 'compensate, Richmond
County trends are highlighted in some tables, and the' past characteristics of the "old" city and
unincorporated area distinguished in others.
2.1 The Planning Area
Augusta, the county seat for Richmond County, is located in east central Georgia adjacent to
the state's border with South Carolina. There are two other incorporated places in Richmond
Coui1ty, the city of Hephzibah and the city of Blythe. Augusta is a central city in the Augusta-
Richmond County, GA-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Other counties in the MSA
are Columbia and McDuffie in Georgia and Aiken and Edgetield in South Carolina.
Augusta's Comprehensive Plan covers all of Richmond County, except for Hephzibah, Blythe
and Fort Gordon. Hephzibali and Blythe have their own comprehensive plans, and separate
planning programs. Fort Gordon is a federal military installation. Data comparisons include
the other cities and counties in the metropolitan area, as appropriate. In addition, some trends
in Augusta are compared to ,tJ:1ose in other so-called "second tier" cities in Georgia. This is
done to highlight the similarities in trends among these communities. Figures for Hephzibah,
Blythe and the former unincorporated part of Richmond County are also included in some
tables.
2.1.1 Population and Household Trends
Augusta's population and household characteristics reflect those of an older city that has
merged with newer suburbs. Table P- I shows the change in population and households in
Richmond County between 1980 and 2000. Overall, the local'changes reflect the trend toward
suburbanization evident throughout the United States in recent decades. As the total population
and households in the "old" city declined, comparable figures for the then unincorporated part
of Richmond County rose. The 2000 Census figures reflect the consolidation of the city and
the county, so the suburbanization trend is not as evident. '
2- I
Chapter 2 - Population
Table P-1
Population and Household Trends
Richmond County, 1980-2000
1980 1990 2000
Total Popuhltion
Richmond County 181,620 189,719 199,775
. Augusta* 47,532 44,639 195,182
Hephzibah** 1,452 2,466 3,880
Blythe** 365 300 713
Unincorporated 132,280 142,314- 0
Total Households
Richmond County 59,501 68,675 73,921
Augusta 19,108 18,819 - - 72,307
Hephzibah 435 822 1,374
Blythe 121 101 240
Unincorporated _ 39,837 48,933 0
A verage Household Size
Richmond County 2.81 2.61 2.55
Augusta 2.40 2.26 2.55
Richmond County's population growth is relatively low in comp~ison to the other counties in
the Augusta MSA and the state of Georgi<:l' Table P-2 shows that Richmond County's
population growth rate has declined over the last thirty years and is now lower than the other
':~ounties, the MSA, and the state of Georgia.
2-2
Chapter 2 - Population
TableP-2
Comparison of Population Trends
Augusta MSA Counties and the State of Georgia
Change in Population Change in Population (%)
1970 1980 1990 . 2000 1970s .' 1980s 1990s
Columbia Co. 22,474 40,474 66,910 89,288 80.1% 65.3% 33.4%
McDuffie Co. 15,276 18,546 20,119 21,23 ] 21.4% 8.5% 5.5%
Richmond Co. ' ]62,437 ]81,629 189,7]9 199,775 11.8% 4.5% 5.3%
A iken Co. , SC 91,025 ] 05,625 120,940 142,552 16.0% 14.5% 17.9%
Edgefield Co., SC 15,692 17,528 18,375 24,595 11.7% 4.8% 33.9%
Augusta-Aiken MSA 305,953 '363,340 4] 7,823 477,441 19.1% 14.7% ]4.3%
State of Georgia 4,589,575 5,463,105 6,478,2] 6 8, I 86,453 19.0% 18.6% 26.4%
SOURCE: U. S. Bureau of the Census
Low population growth is common among the second tier cities in the state.: Table P-3
compares recent population trends in four counties with those of the corresponding
metropolitan areas in which they are located. The table, reveals that between 1990 and 2000 the
counties that are home to Macon, Savannah, Columbus and Augusta experienced lower
population growth than the corresponding metropolitan area. The following chart compares the
percent change in population in the subject counties with the state level change between ] 990
and 2000.
I Percent Change' in Popu'lation, 1990-200.0
I ~g~ ~
1~~ 1 2.50%
I B~ l--~
i
I
I
I
i
,
i
I
!
.',
".
26.40%
7.00%
3,90% 5.30%
I~~il ...."'" .- Ii$'-~l
\lW!l;~'" ___Iilffi';@j@"diil__ '~,""'<i '_---,---
I i j
O'
CJ
.~
<Q~
~.'
~.
0~
c/
~Cj
~
~.,
.0:-
~
~1J
o~
00
I
L---
2-3
Chapter 2 - Population
Table P-3
Comparisons of Population Trends
Selected Counties and MSAs in Georgia
1990 2000 Change in Population
Count)' Number Percent
Bibb 150,137 153,887 3,750 2.5%
Chatham 216,774 232,048 15,274 7.0%
Muscogee 179;280 186,291 7,011 3.9%
Richmond 189,719 199,775 10,056 5.3%
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Macon-Warner Robins, GA 281,103 322,549 41 ,446 14.7%
Savannah, GA 242,622 293,000 50,3 78 20.8%
Columbus, GA-AL 243,072 274,624 31,552 13.0%
Augusta-Aiken, GA-SC 417,823 477,441 59,618 14.3%
Macon is in Bibb County; Savannah is in Chatham County; and Columbus is in
Muscogee County.
SOURCE: U. S. Bureau of the Census
,2.1.2 Population by Census Tract
. Census tracts are small, relatively permanent statistical subdivisions of a county delineated for
the purpose of presenting census data. Census tracts are delineated by local officials and are
designed to be relatively homogeneous units with regard to population characteristics,
economic status, and to contain between 2,500 and 8,000 residents. For the 2000 Census,
Richmond County was divided into forty (40) census tracts, the same number as in the 1990
census.
The map at the end of this chapter shows the population trends by census tract for Richmond
County. Overall the information offers more evidence of the trend toward suburbanization.
During the 19990s the population declined. in several census tracts in and near the old city
limits. Conversely, census tracts experiencing the largest net population increase are
concentrated in south and west Augusta. This continues a trend observed over the last three
decades.
2-4
Chapter 2 - Population
2.1.3 Race and Sex Characteristics
Table P-4 shows the recent trends for racial composition in Richmond County. The figures
reflect a trend of increasing minority population and decreasing white population. The table
indicates that with the 2000 Census Blacks became the largest group of one race in Richmond
County (49.8%). Whites compr.ise 45.6% of the county's population, reflecting a 16% decline
over the last two decades. The number of persons of other races has mote than doubled in the
past 20 years. The chart on the next page shows that the trend of increasing minority population
is projected to continue in the future,
Table P-4
Population Trends by Race
Richmond County, 1980 - 2000.
1980 1990 2000 Chan~e, 1980-2000
Number Percent
Richmond County .
White 109,110 104,612 91 ,006 -18,104 -16.59%
Black 67,980 79,639 99,395 31,415 46.21 %
Other 4,539 5,468 9,374 4,835 106.52%
Total 181,629 189,719 199,775 18,146 9.99%
SOURCE: U. S. Bureau of the Census
'~;;.~t:;.
Table P-5 shows the 2000 population by race and Hispanic Origin for Richmond County and
the incorporated places therein. Augusta's population is 44% White, .50..4% Black or African-
American, and 4.7% ,other races. Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin total 5,447 or 2.8% of
the city's population. This represents an increase of 1,783 (48.6%) in the Hispanic population
since 1990.
Table P-S
Population by Race
Richmond County, Augusta, Hephzibah and Blythe, 2000
White .. Black Other Hispanic Ori~in
Richmond County 91,006 99,395 9,379 5,546
Augusta 87,651 98,320 9,211 5,447
Hephzibah .2,769 973 138 76
Blythe 586 102 25 23
SOURCE: U. S. Bureau of the Census
2-5
Chapter 2 - Population
Projection of Racial Trends
Richmond County, 2005-2025
Source: W'oods & Poole, Inc.
70% -
30% ,.--
I
,
I
- .-~----- -------------.'1
i
..- --I
i
i-GTIWhit~--!
. !
, ,
: rm Black i
I : 0 Other:
t L_. -.-- ..-;
--.\
l:
o 60%
:0:;
~
~
c.
o
a.
\t-
o
50%
40%
.....
; 20%--
o
(j; 10% -.
a.
0%
'I
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2025
Table P-6 compares 1990 and 2000 population by sex for Richmond County and the State of
Georgia. The figures indicate that the percentages of males and females in Richmond County
changed only slightly between 1990 and 2000. Compared to the state, Richmond County has a
higher percentage of females and lower percentage of males.
Table P-6 ......
Population by Sex -1990 - 2000
Richmond County and the State
1990 2000
Richmond Georgia Richmond Georgia
Male 92,098 3,141,761 96,375 4,027,113
Female 97,621 3,336,455 103,400 4,159,340
% Male 48.5% 48.5% 48.2%' 49.2%
% Female 51.5% 51.5% 51.8% 50.8%
.
SOURCE: U. S. Bureau of the Census
2-6
Chapter 2 - Population
2.1.4 Population by Age
Augusta and Richmond County continue to reflect the age characteristics of a relatively mature
community. Table P-7 includes information on age structure in the county. The school age
population 5-17 years old comprises approximately 20% of the population. Those elderly (65
and over) account for another 11 % of the population. The county's median age rose from 30.3
in 1990 to 32.3 in the year 2000.' '
Table P-7
Population by Age - 2000
Richmond County, Augusta1Hcphzibah and Blythe
Age Richmond County Augusta Blythe Hephzibah
0-5 years 14,244 13,943 50 251
5 to 1 7 39,364 38,331 194 842
J 8 to 20 10,836 10,639 21 177
21 to 24 13,045 J 2,841 25 179
25 to 44 59,686 58,295 212 1,175
45 to 54 25,076 24,435 98 543
55 to 59 8,8 J 8 8,587 31 200
60 to 64 7,061 6,883 25 153
65 to 74 12,072 11,806 39 227
75 to 84 7,372 7,250 16 106
85 and over 2,201 2,J 72 2 27
TOTAL 199,775 195,182 713 3,880
Under 18 . tt'~.., 53,608 52,274 - ~ .244 1,093
65 and over 21,645' 21,228 57 360
Median Age 32.3 32.3 31.2 34.7
SOURCE: U. S. Bureau of the Census
Table P-8 shows historic trends in age distribution for Richmond County between J 980 and
2000. Overall, the figures reflect a decline in the number of pre-schooJ children, teenagers and
young adults, and an increase in the number of middle-age and older adults. The number of
elementary and middle school age children did show a net increase bet\veen 1980 and 2000.
The chart below Table P-8 shows age distribution projections for the County to the year 2025.
. .. .
The chart indicates a continuation of recent trends, namely a net increase in the number of pre-
school children, the school-age population and the elderly. The change in the number of young
and middle-age adults is expected to be variable.
2-7
Chapter 2 - Population
Table P-8
Trends in Population by Age
Richmond County, 1980 - 2000
Change, 1980 - 2000
Age Bracket 1980 1990 2000 Number Percent
-
Under 5 years 16,562 15,167 14,244 -2,318 -14.00%
5-13 21,944 25,377 27,528 5,584 25.45%
14-17 13,567 11,087 11,836 -1,731 -12.76%
18-20 14,998 10,757 10,836 -4,162 -27.75%
21-24 16,991 12,641 13,045 -3,946 -23.22%
25-34 31,606 35,628 29,633 -1,973 -6.24%
35-44 18,908 26,734 30,053 11,145 58.94%
45-54 17,066 18,368 25,076 8,010 46.94%
55-64 14,732 15,031 15,879 1,147 7.79%
65 and over 15,236 18,929 21,645 6,409 42.06%
TOT AL Population 181,629 189,719 199,775 18,146 9.99%
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census
Age Distribution Projections
Richmond County, 2005-2025
-Source: Woods & Pool,e, Inc.
50,000 -
45,000 -
40,000 -
35,000 - -~---
30,000 -.
25,000 - -~~-------'-
20,000 ..
15,000 -
10,000 .--
5,000
o -
- :--.,
! li!I20051
~ ! 1!1 2015 i
I I
- I D 2~25 !
o to 4 5 to 19 20 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 . 55 to 64 65 and
over
2-8
Chapter 2 - Population
Table P-9 compares the percentage of residents by age category for Richmond County and
Georgia in 1990 and 2000. The figures show that iIi tenns of age distribution changes in
Richmond County minor the trends at the state level. Among the trends are an increase in the
percentage of school-age children, a decrease in the percentage of individuals in "family
formation" years (18-44), and an increase in the percentage of the population age 65 and over.
Table P-9
Population Age Comparison - 1990 - 2000
Richmond County and the State
Richmond County Geor~ia
A~e 1990 2000 1990 2000
Under 5 years 8.0% 7.1% 9.2% 7.3%
5 to 17 19.1% 19.7% 17.6% 19.2%
18 to 20 5.9% 5.4% 4.9% 4.5%
21 to 24 6.8% . 6.5% 6.2% 5.7%
25 to 44 32.8% 29.9% 33.9% 32.3%
45 to 54 9.3% 12.6% 10.5% 13.2%
55 to 59 4.1% 4.4% ,4.0% . 4.6%
60 to 64 .3.9%' 3.5% 3.7% 3.5%
65 to 74 6.1% 6.0% 6.0% 5.3%
75 to 84 3.0% ' 3.7% 3.2% 3.2%
85 and over 0.9% 1.1% .9% 1.1%
SOURCE: U. S. Bureau of the Census
2.1.5 Educational Attainment
~ 'i~r-:; s.
Overall education levels 'are improving in Richmond County. Table P-] 0 shows that the
number and percentage of adult. residents, with less than a high school education declined
. between 1990 and 2000. The percentage of the population with at least a high school education
increased from 71 %to 78%. The number and percentage of residents with a Bachelor's
and/advanced degree increased as well.
When compared to the State arid neighboring counties, however, Richmond County lags in
terms of educational attainment. Statewide, a higher proportion of adults have college degrees,.
and a lower percentage have less than high school education. Almost a third of the adults in
Columbia County have a college degree, compared to only 18.6 % in Richmond County. The
contrast among educational attainment levels in Richmond, Columbia and McDuffie Counties
is partly explained by the fact that demogi'aphic characteristics vary widely in the three
counties. Table P-Il shows recent tr~nds in high school graduation test scores, high school
dropout rates and the percentage of Richmond County high school graduates attending Georgia
public colleges and technical schools.
2-9
Chapter 2 - Population
,
"
Table P-I0
Educational Attainment
Richmond County, 1,990-2000
1990 2000
School Years Completed N urn ber Percent Number Percent
Less Than 9tJi Grade ] 4, ] 36 ]2.3% . . 9,]44 7.5%
]ihGrade, No Dip]oma ]9,]9] ]6.7% ] 7,867 ]4.6%
High Schoo] Graduate 34,495 30.]% 36,323 29.6%
Sonle College, No Degree 20,628 ]8.0% 28,392 23.2%
Associate Degree 6,45 ] 5.6% 7,957 6.5%
Bachelor's Degree ] 3, ] 85 ]] .5% ]4,767 ]2.0%
Graduate Degree 6,604 5.8% 8,]42 6.6%
Total Persons 25+ ] ] 4,690 . ] 22,592
(Yo Hi2h School Graduates 70.9% 78.0%
SOURCE: U. S. Bureau of the Census
Educational Attainment, 2000
Richmond
County
Columbia
County
McDuffie
County
Georgia
Not High School Graduate
High School Graduate
College Degree
22.]0%
59.30%
] 8,60%
] 2.] 0%
55.90%
32.00%
33.30%
55.00%
] 1.70%
2 ] .40%
54.30%
24.30%
SOURCE: U. S. Bureau of the Census, SF 3, 2000
I-----~_.._---_.
I
I
1
I
I
I Georgia
!
i
I
1 McDuffie
Educational Attainment, 2000
Columbia
0% 10%
20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
i
,
j
I_'~_____~_____~ ., I
[Ila Not HS Graduate li HS Graduate 0 College Degree ni I
. _________.____..__.___.___,.--J
1
I
'I
I
,
!
!
i
i
I
:
Richmond
L____~.____ ------.
2-]0
Chapter 2 - Population
Table P-ll
Selccted Education Statistics
Richmond County, 1995-2001
Category 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
High School Graduation Test 77% 70% 57% 59% 58% 60% 61%
Scores (All Components)
High School Dropout Rate 12.40% 10,30% 7.90% 7,50% 5.90% 6,10% 5.40%
Graduates Attending Georgia 25,80% 34.90% 33.40% 32,90% 30.00% NA NA
Public Colle2es
Graduates Attending Georgia 12.00% 9.50% 6.80% 6.60% 8,00% 10.10% NA
Public Technical Schools Source: Georgia Department of Education
2.1.6 Incomc
Historically, Richmond C~unty has ranked in the top ten counties in the state in terms of total
personal income. Total personal income is de lined as the income that is received by, or on
behalf of, all ,the residents who live in the county. The high rank order is due in large part to
the fact that Richmond County is 31nong the largest in terms of population. The figures in
Table P-12 reveal, however, that the average annual grow1h rate of total personal income in
Richmond County has been lower than the state and metropolitan area averages over the last
thirty years.
Table P-12
Total Personal Income Trends
Richmond, Columbia & McDuffie County, Augusta MSA and Georgia
. .c.
Richmond Columbia McDuffie Augusta Georgia
MSA
Total Personal
Income*
1990 . $3,375.9 $1,196.6 $ 289.0 $ 7,332.2 $115,414.2
. 1995 $3,945.6 $1,631.2 $ 377.0 ,$ 9,028.4 $159,800.5
2000 $4,728.6 $2,343.6 $ 464.2 $1] ,389.0 $228,738.2
Average Annual
Growth Rate, 7.6% ] 1.9% 7.9% 8.3% 9.3%
1969-2000
* In millions of dollars
SOURCE: U. S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
2-11
Chapter 2 - Population
Median household income and per capita income are indicators of the buying power of
residents in a community. Table P-13 indicates that median household and per capita income
increased in Augusta and Richmond County between 1989 and 1999. The increase in Augusta
is somewhat deceiving because consolidation resulted in a large population increase in the city.
Even with the increases, Augusta and Richmond County figures continue to lag behind
comparable averages for the state and metropolitan area. Among the factors that probably
contribute to Augusta's low averages are higher percentages of poverty households, non-family
households, and households receiving public assistance. -
Table P-13
Household and Per Capita Income Trends
Augusta, Richmond County, Augusta MSA and Georgia
Augusta as a Percentage of
Augusta Richmond Augusta Georgia Richmond Augusta Georgia
County MSA County MSA
Per Capita
Income
1989 $10,376 $ 11 ,799 $12,721 $13,631 87.90% 81.60% 76.10%
1999 $17,117 $17,088 $18,744 $2],154 ] 00.0] % 9] .30% 81. 00%
Median
Household
Income
1989 $]5,315 $25,265 $28,490 $29,021 60.60% 53.80% 52.80%
1999 $32,972 . $33,088 $38,]03 $42,433 99.70% 86.50% 77.70%
Note: 1989 figures for Augusta are for the city prior to consolidation
SOURCE: U. S. Bureau of the Census, Sample Data, ] 990 and 2000
Table P-] 4 summarizes recent trends in household income distribution for Richmond County.
The table shows that the number of households with income below $35,000 declined between
] 989 and] 999. During the same period the number of households with income $35,000 and
above increased. The increase'was particularly significant for households with income of
$60,000 and above.
2-12
Chapter 2 - Population
Table P-14
Household Income Distribution Trends
Richmond County, 1989-1999
Number of Households Change, 1989-99
1989 1999 Number Percent
Less than $10,000 1 ~,890 10,308 -3,582 -25.79%
$10,000 to $14,999 6,504 5,905 -599 -9.21 %
$15,000 to $19,999 6,588 6,082 -506 -7.68%
$20,000 to $24,999 7,031 5,558 -1,473 -20.95%
$25,000 to $29,999 6,192 5,677 -515 -8.32%
$30,000 to $34,999 5,590 5,169 -421 -7.53%
$35,000 to $39,999 4,400 5,023 623 14.16%
$40,000 to $44,999 4,125 4,36,6 241 5.84%
$45,000 to $49,999 2,973 3,957 984 33.10%
$50,000 to $59,999 4,343 5,917 1,574 36.24%
$60,000 to $74,999 3,482 6,061 2,579 74.07%
$75,000 to $99,999 2,055 5,174 3,119 151.78%
$100,000 to $124,999 816 2,026 1,210 148.28%
$125,000 to $149,999 169 879 '710 420.12%
$150,000 or more 626 1,837 1,211 193.45%
Total Households 68,784 73,939 5,155 7.49%
SOURCE: U. S. Bureau of the Census, Sample Data, 1990 and 2000
2.2 Augusta-Richmond County Tomorrow
The Augusta-Richmond County Comprehensive Plan forecasts population, household and
employment growth to the year 2025. The forecasts are made based on the assumption that the
city limits of the three municipalities - Augusta, Hephzibah and Blythe - will not change.
Georgia law prohibits municipal annexation within three miles of another municipality.
Augusta shares a common border with both Hephzibah and Blythe.
2.2.1 Population Projections
Several data sources were analyzed in order to project Augusta and Richmond County's
population over the next twenty-three years. Data. sources reviewed included the Georgia
Office of Planning and Budget, Woods and Poole Economics, and the Augusta-Richmond
. 2-13
Chapter 2 - Population
County Planning Commission (ARCPC). The population projections made by these sources
were revie\ved against both local population estimates made during the 1990s based on
building permit data, and against estimates made by the U. S. Bureau of the Census. Among
the forecasts, the ones prepared by the Augusta-Richmond County Planning Commission and
included in the 1992 Comprehensive Plan most closely reflected actual trends in population
growth. The Augusta-Richmond, County Planning Commission projections, updated and
extended to the year 2025, were therefore adopted for the Comprehensive Plan.
Population projections were made for Augusta and Richmond County based on an examination
of trends over the last four decades and, more specifically an extension of the growth rates
experienced over the last twenty years. The projections assume that Bephzibah and Blythe will
continue to account for a relatively small percentage of the county's total population. Three
sets of projections - high, medium, and low - were made for the county. The projections
retlected growth rates below, on, and above the population growth experienced during the last
two decades. Population was then allocated to each of the three municipalities based on the
percentage of the population each has historically captured. The medium level projection was
selected for use in the Comprehensive Plan.
Table P-15 shows the Population in Richmond County from 2000 (Census Bureau), and
projected to 2025 in five-year increments. The population projections for Augusta, Hephzibah
and Blythe are also shown. While recent Census Bureau estimates (2001 and 2002) retlect a
decline in Augusta's population since the 2000 census, the projections retlect an expected
increase in population over the long term. Experience indicates that the Census Bureau
population estimates are not always accurate. During the 1980s and 1990s, the Census Bureau
estimated that Richmond County's population was declining. The actual Census counts in 1990
and 2000 retlected a net increase in population during both decades.
Table P-15 .
Population Projections, 2005-2025
Richmond County, Augusta, Hephzibah and Blythe
2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025
Richmond County 199,775 203,771 208,356 213,773 219,759 224,715
Augusta 195,182 199,084 203,564 208,856 214,705 219,642
Hephzibah 3,880 3,953 4,042 4,148 4,263 4,263
Blythe 713 734 750 769, 791 810
Note: All data as of April 1 of the year shown
SOURCES: 2000, U. S. Bureau of the Census; 2005-2025, Augusta-Richmond County
Planning Commission, 2002
2-]4
~ _ -. ~_.. ---- -----,- .--------- ~ _. - ---- .-- - .--..-- ------,------- ------------:----1
Population Projections I
i
i
I
r -------------11
i~Richmond County II
; -*- Aug usta ! ,i
.-----...----,-------------
I
I
i
I
!
Chapter 2 - Population
r ..- --- .-- -
i
230,000 ----
220,000
210,000 - ---~---~--- ----------
200,000 -
190,000 -
180,000 .,
2000 2005 2010
-----J
I
I
~
,
2015 2020 2025
2.2.2 Household and Housing Projections
Table P-16 includes household and housing unit projections for Augusta. The projections are
based on the foregoing population forecasts. They are limited to Augusta because this is the
area the City Commission has authority over regarding land use decisions.
The number of households is based on the average size for the city projected ,at five-year
intervals to 2025. Dividing the future population in households by the average household size
yields the number of households at each five-year interval. The population in group quarters
(e.g. dormitories, correctional facilities, nursing homes) is assumed to remain 5.4% of the total
population over the forecast period. Over the next twenty-two years the number of households
. in Augusta is projected to increase by over 12,000. The number of households is the same as
the number of occupied housing units. Applying an occupancy factor yields the total number
of housing units, including those that are vacant. The occupancy factor represents the
percentage of all units expected to be occuPied.
2-15
Chapter 2 - Population
Table P-16
Household and Housing Unit Projections
Augusta, 2005-2025
2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025
Number of Households 72,307 74,808 77,42] 80,077 82,632 84,542
Persons Per Household 2.55 2.515 2.485 2.465 2.455 2.455
Population in 184,312 188,142 192,391 197,389 202,862 207,55]
Households
Group Quarters 10,870 10,942 11,173 11,467 1 1,843 12,091
Population
Total Population 195,182 199,084 203,564 208,856 214,705 219,642
Occupancy Rate 89.8% 91.5% 92.5% 92.5% 92.5% 92.5%
Housing Units 80,481 81,575 83,698 86,570 89,332 91,397
SOURCE: 2000, U. S. Bureau of the Census; 2005-2025, Augusta-Richmond County
Planning Commission
2.2.3 Employment Projections
The Augusta-Richmond County Planning Commission prepared employment projections for
the Comprehensive Plan. The projections are based on an analysis of employment trends over
the last four decades. Sources of information reviewed include the U. S. Bureau of the Census
and the Georgia Department of Labor. The projections use employment categories as reported
to the Georgia Department of Labor. The projections are based on the following assumptions:
o Augusta will continue to serve as the economic hub of the metropolitan area even as
some suburban counties increase employment at a faster rate
o The Service and Retail Trade categories will continue to account for more than two-
thirds of the jobs in Richmond County.
2-16
Chapter 2 - Population
Employment in Richmond County is projected to grow by approximately 25% over the next.'
two decades or so, from 108,000 now to over 135,000 in 2025. It is important to note that this .
is the number of people working in the county, not the number of county residents who have'
jobs. The projections indicate that employment in the Service, Retail Trade, and Manufacturing
sectors will increase the most over the planning period. Table P-17 shows the forecasted
changes in all of the major employment sectors.
Table P-17
Employment Projections
Richmond County, 2005-2025
1999 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025
Construction 6,028 6,502 6,695 6,743 6,830 6,97]
Manufacturing 13,263 14,412 15,155 15,974 16,780 1 7,266
Transportation & 4,5] 8 4,8] 8 5,025 5,234 5,432 5,620
Wholesale Trade 3,042 3,374 3,543 3,684 3,792 3,898
Rehlil Trade 2] ,48] 22,431 23,513 24,577 25,641 26,545 .
F.LR.E.* 3,197 3,448 3,616 3,771 3,927 4,132
Services 50,190 54,544 56,904 59,2]0 61,280 63,687
Public Administration 5,722 6,154 6,443 6,510 6,778 6,871
Other** 416 425 436 423 439 . 441
Total 107,857 116,108 ]2],330 126,126 130,899 135,431
*Finance, Insurance and Real Estate
**Other includes Agriculture,Forestry, Fisheries and Mining
SOURCES: Georgia Department of Labor, ] 999; 2005-2025 Projections by Augusta-
Richmond County Planning Commission
2-17
o
'"
~I~~~
c
en
-i
03
C1
.-
en
"1J
(!)
..,
C1
(!)
::J
.-
i ! ','it
~ ~ 5:-
j ~ jii
,; ~ g :1'
!. r~ " [
.; ~t l~:
r. ,. . ~F
n "i' i o! ~
II; llr i
if~:'Ji~
., :I' f;. >
L '! ~ i 'iA j
~~ H La f
J~[:ii:'
is H'l![
J i :! i ~!
': '~ ; i[
fl.' :
. ~ 11 t
~ r r
, ..
->. ^ ->. ^
0->'0->.
~O-;:Ro
+ ~: ~
ZZZZ
m. m. CD CD
.- .-
"U"U"U"U
o 000
"'0"'0"'0"'0
C C C C
~~Q)Q)
o' 0 ~ ~
::J ::J 0 0
::J ::J
::J ::J 0 0
C1 C1 CD CD
CD CD C1 C1
Q) Q) ::J ;-
~ ~ CD CD
o
:E
~tz
"1J
o
"'0
C
l3.)
~
o
::J
(')
~
l3.)
::J
co
CD
tn
o
'"
->.
CD
CD
o
I
'"
o
o
o
o
~
s:
CD
(J)
to
c:
..,
,.;"
tD
n
o
c
;:,
~
n
o
C
3
0"
;'
n
o
c
;:,
~
>
~
III
=
C')
o
c
=
~
en
C')
/;~
iflll'~ r >r~"1
I ,! . I~
'., J,I~,
\(.)i
._-:J
~~~
~ ~~
~ ~ ;]
=:"'g.
g ;:;.
"'d
o
"0
C
-
=
"""
...
o
=:I
(j
=-
=
=:I
(Tel
~
..
~
~
crq
C
en
S-
I
~
f)'
::r'
S
o
::3
0..
n
o
~
::3
'3
~
[Iiii'
'" li'
p, '"
~ ",.0
.,,',.; '"
~
-
\0
\0
Q
I
N
Q
Q
Q
Chapter 3 - Housing
3. Introduction
Augusta's housing characteristics reflect the city's history and early development patterns.
More recent trends indicate how and where housing development will occur in the future.
Residential land uses cover approximately 28,000 acres at present. This includes a mix
of single-family, site-built residences at various densities, duplexes, apartments,
manufactured homes, and group quat1ers. Assessing the housing stock helps identify
major housing problems, determine future housing needs, and develop a plan for
managing housing development in the, future.
3.1 Residential Development Patterns
Though both Augusta (] 736) and Richmond County (1777) were founded in the
eighteenth century, residential development patterns in Augusta were more urban than
those in Richmond County until about 60 years ago. lnitially settlement in the city
occurred in close proximity to the Savannah River and nearby trading routes. As the city
expanded to the south and west, neighborhoods developed in conjunction with the
introduction of new modes of transportation (e.g. railroads) and manufacturing facilities
(e.g. textile mills). In the twentieth century, Augusta annexed both incorporated places
(Summerville) and unincorporated areas (e.g. Forest Hills, Highland Park), thereby
adding a mix of older and newer housing to the existing stock.
Settlement patterns in Richmond County were more rural than Augusta until about the
] 940s. From its fl)unding the County was a largely agrarian area and residential
development was centered on several small incorporated towns. These included Bath,
Blythe, Mt. Enon, I-Jephzibah, and other towns located within the boundaries of what is
now the Fort Gordon Military Reservation. Following World War II, suburban
development began in earnest in Richmond County and continues to the present day. The
character, age and condition of the housing stock thus reflect this trend and the expansion
of commercial and industrial facilities that accompanied it.
3.2 Housing Unit Trends
Between 1990 and 2000, total housing units in Richmond County increased 6.5% to
82,312 units. This is lower than the 19% increase in units between ] 980 and 1990 (see
Table H-l). The number of units in Augusta. nearly tripled, but this' is a statisti~al
anoinaly reflecting the consolidation of Augusta and Richmond County in 1996.
Nevertheless, Augusta accounts for 98% of all the housing units in ~chmond County.
Hephzi~ah and Blythe also recorded significant increases in total housing units, but part
of the gain reflects annexations the two communities completed prior to consolidation.
3-1
Chapter 3 - Housing
Table H-l
Total Housing Units
Richmond County, Augusta, Hephzibah and Blythe
Change, 1990 - 2000
1990 2000 Number Percent
Richmond County 77,288 82,312 5,024 ' 6.5%
Augusta 21,588 80,48'1 58,893 272.8%
Hephzibah 935 1,570 635 67.9%
Blythe 125 261 136 108.8%
Unincorporated Area 54,640 0 (54,640) (100.0%)
Note: Augusta and Richmond County consolidated on January 1, 1996.
Hephzibah and Blythe annexed land in unincorporated Richmond County prior
to consolidation.
Sources: 1990 and 2000, U ,S. Bureau of the Census
The chart below gives an impression of the county-wide trend in total housing units over
the last 40 years.
u__________._~__ ------------------ -----------~-----------~l
Housing Unit Trends I
Richmond County
100,000 -.. -------~---------..----'..---l
80,000 ----------
60,000 --------------
40,000 ---
20,000 - __~'-____H -~-
o '
i 1960 ! 1970 I 1980 I 1990 2000,
,.. ---;------------.;-------------.)-----000-'-_[----------- __ _____ .--.---[
:-+- Total Housing i 38,191 i 47,754 i 64,846 i 77,288 i 82,312 !
Units ~ ; i I i
__..________.______~______.!_.____.._____._.__ __~._ .______ ~_..._ ..__ __~_!_____.__.__~____ _......:-__,._.~__.__J
- ------------------ -.--.-- --..----.-- ----- _.._----~------~..,.._--
3'-2
Chapter 3 - Housing
The map at the end of the chapter stlmmarizes the net change in housing units between
1990 and 2000 within all forty census tracts. Geographically, total housing units increased
the most in the southern and western parts of Richmond County during the decade
Notably, five of the six census tracts with the highest percentage increase in housing units
are located in south Richmond County. Other tracts in the south and west also registered
smaller housing unit gains. This continues a trend evident for several decades.
In contrast, most census tracts'in or near the "old" city either recorded a decline in
housing units or remained esssentially unchanged hom 1990. Of interest is the fact that
areas encompassIng some post-World War II subdivisions are beginning to expereience a
decline. in housing units. Also of note is that downtown and adjacent areas registered an
. increase in housing units.
The number of housing units in Richmond County is increasing at a slower rate than in
other paris of the metropolitan area. Table I-I-2 compares the numeric and percentage
change in housing units for the Georgia counties in the MSA, the Augusta MSA and the
state of Georgia during the 1990s. The table shows that the percent change in housing
units was highest in suburban Cofumbia County. McDuHie County and the Augusta
MSA were slightly lower than the statewide change in housing units. Richmond County
was well below the state level change.
Table B-2
Housing Unit Trends
Richmond, Columbia & McDuffie County, Augusta MSA and Georgia
Richmond Columbia McDuffie Augusta Georgia
County County County MSA
Total Housing Units
1990 77,288 21,841 7,270 158,342 2,638,418
2000 82,312 , 33,321 8,916 195,759 3,281,737
Percent Change 6.5% 52.6% 22.6% 23.6% 24.4%
1990 - 2000 Source: U. S. Bureau of the Census, SF 1, 1990 and 2000
3-3
Chapter 3 - Housing
When compared to other Georgia counties with similar demographics, Richmond
County's relatively low change in housing units is not unusual. The chart below
compares housing unit change in Richmond County with those of the three counties that
are home to Macon, Savannah and Columbus. The chart indicates that all four counties
recorded relatively modest increases in housing units during the decade.
Total Housing Units
\ ~ 1990 :
i III 2000 .
Chatham
Muscogee
Richmond
County
The detached single-family, site-built home continues to be the dominant type of housing
unit in the market, representing 61.5% of the total units in Richmond County in 2000.
This is up slightly from a 60% share in 1990, but below the 71 % share recorded in 1980.
In the last twenty years a number of new apartment complexes have been built in
Augusta. In addition, the aging of the population and growth in "empty-nester" and one-
person households has increased the demand for attached and semidetached units on
small lots. As a result, the number of attached, single-family units increased from 2,387
in 1990 to 3,088 in 2000 (+29%). Apartments (structures with 3 or more units) comprise
almost 26% of the housing stock. Mobile or manufactured homes account for 9.2% of
the housing units, about the same percentage as in 1990. Table H-3 lists the number of
units by type of structure for 1990 and 2000.
3-4
Chapter 3 - Housing
Table H-3
Units in Structure
Richmond County, 1990 and 2000
Percent of
1990 2000 2000 Total
Total 77,288 82,312 100.0%
I, detached 46,022 50,586 61.5%
1, attached 2,387 3,088 3.8%
2 3,578 2,762 3.4%
3 or 4 5,138 5,243 6.4%
5 to 9 7,305 7,428 9.0%
10 to 19 3,323 2,208 2.7%
20 to 49 1,113 795 1.0%
50 or more 1,193 2,622 3.2%
Mobile home 6,537 7,580 9.2%
Boat, RV, van, etc. 692 0 0
Sources: 1990 and 2000, US Bureau of the Census Summary File 3A
and SF 3 - Sample Data
3.3 Housing Tenure
Currently' 58% of the occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This is up slightly
from the 56.4% rate in 1990. Since Augusta includes nearly 98% of all the housing units
in Richmond County, the city's owner/renter split is almost identical to the county's mix.
Owner-occupied units comprise nearly 80% of occupied units in both Hephzibah and
Blythe. Prior to consolidation, a majority of the occupied units in Augusta were renter-
occupied units. This characteristic had been a part of Augusta's housing marker for
several decades, owing in part to the age of the housing stock and the concentration of
3-5
Chapter 3 - Housing
public housing complexes in the former city. Until the 1980s, owner-occupancy had
been steadily increasing in the County. The construction of several apartment complexes
during the 1980s pushed the percentage of renter-occupied units up. Table H-4
summarizes current housing tenure in Richmond County and the three cities.
Table H-4
Housing Tenure, 2000
Richmond County, Augusta, Hephzibah and Blythe
Richmond Co. Augusta Hephzibah Blythe
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
Owner 42,840 58.0% 41,563 57.5% 1,088 79.2% 190 79.2%
Occupied
Renter 31,080 42.0% 30,744 42.5% 286 20.8% 50 20.8%
Occupied
Total Occupied 73,920 ]00.0% 72,307 100.0% ] ,374 ]00.0% 240 100.0%
.
Source: U. S. Bureau of the Census, SF 1,2000
'3~6
Chapter 3 - Housing
The chart below compares the percentage of owner and renter-occupied housing units in
Richmond County with those for Columbia and McDuffie Counties, the Augusta MSA,
and the state of Georgia. Historically, Augusta-Richmond County has had a relatively
high percentage of rental housing due in part to the presence of Fort Gordon, medical
facilities, education institutions and manufacturing plants. Construction projects at major
facilities in the region, such as the Savannah River Site, Plant Vogtle, Fort Gordon, and
Clarks Hill (now Thurmond) Dam, also contribute to the rental housing market.
Percent Owner & Renter Occupied Housing Units
100% r--'
90%- -
80% -----
70%
60% --
50% --
40% -[---
30% --,
20% -.
10% ---
0%,
~ Percent Renter Occupied i
I3J Percent Owner Occupied i
..____~__._______._.________ _ 0______.--1
Columbia McDuffie Richmond Augusta
MSA
Georgia
3.4 Vacant Housing Units
In 2000, 8,392 (10.2%) of Riclunond County's housing units were vacant. Of the total
vacant units, 8,174 (97.4%) were located in Augusta. Jhe 10,2% vacancy rate is lower
than the 11.1 % vac'ancy nite recorded at the time of the 1990 census, but higher than the
8.2% rate in 1980. Oile factor that contributed to the decline in the vacancy rate is that
fewer apartment units were constructed during the 1990s than in the, 1980s;
Table H-5 shows the status of all vacant housing units in Augusta, Richmond and
Columbia Counties, and Georgia in'2000. Not surprisingly, the Augusta and Richmond
County figures are very similar. Augusta and Richmond County (both 63.5%) and
Columbia County (64.7%) had higher percentages of vacant housing units either for sale
or rent, or already sold or rented but not yet occupied, than the state of Georgia (53.0%).
J-7
Chapter 3 - Housing
Table H-5
Housing Vacancy Status, 2000
Augusta, Richmond and Columbia County, and Georgia
Augusta Richmond Columbia Georgia
County County
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
F or Rent 3,644 ' 44.6% 3,739 44.6% 560 25.4% 86,905 31.6%
For Sale Only 1,124 13.8% 1,160 13.8% 760 34.5% 38,440 14.0%
Rented or Sold, 419 5.1% 429 5.1% 106 4.8% 20,353 7.4%
but Not Occupied
Seasonal or 280 3.4% 288 3.4% 338 15.4% 50,064 18.2%
Recreational Use
For Migrant 5 0.1% 5 0.1% 2 0.1 969 0.4%
Workers
Other Vacant 2,702 33.1% 2,771 33.1% 435 19.8% 78,637 28.6%
Total Vacant 8,174 100.0% 8,392 100.0% 2,201 100.0% 275,368 100.0%
Units
Owner Vacancy 2.6% 2.6% 2.9% 1.9%
Rate
Renter Vacancy 10.7% 10.7% 9.1% 8.2%
Rate
Source: U. S. Bureau of the Census, SF 1, 2000
Owner and renter vacancy rates were also higher locally than statewide. These are
indicators that the local economy is lagging behind statewide growth lt~vels.
3.5 Age of Housing
The age of Augusta and Richmond County's housing stock reflects the comparatively
rapid growth that took place in the three decades or so after World War 11, and the slower
expansion of the last two decades, Table 1-1-6 indicates that over half (51.6%) of the
housing units were constructed between 1950 and 1979. Another 19% of the units were
constructed between 1980 and 1989, but only about 7.5% have been constructed in the
3-8
Chapter 3 - Housing
last ten years or so. The remaining 14% were built in 1949 or ~arlier. Generally
speaking, the majority of the units that are fifty years or older are concentrated in
neighborhoods located in the nortHeast pm1 of the city (see additional discussion in the
Historic Resources Element).
Table H-6
Year Structure Built, 2000
Augusta, Hephzibah, Blythe and Richmond Count)'
Augusta Hephzibah Blythe Richmond
Count)1
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
Built 1999 to March 1,182 1.5% 44 3.2% 18 6.6% 1,244 1.5%
2000
1995 to 1998, 4,739 5.9% 185 13.3(Yo 43 15.8% 4,967 6.0%
1990 to 1994 6,188 7.7% 218 15.6% 33 12.1% 6,439 7.8%
1980 to 1989 15,213 18.9% 351 25.2% 52 19.0% 15,616 19.0%
1970 to 1979 16,813 20.8% 302 21. 7% 25 9.2% 1 7,140 20.8%
1 960 to 1969 13,602 16.9% 132 9.5% 30 11.0% 13,764 16.7%
1950 to 1959 11,488 14.2% 80 5.7% 21 7.7% 11,589 ' ,14.1%
1940 to 1949 5,275 6.5% 10 0.7% 15 5.5% 5,300 6.4%
1939 or earlier 6,146 7.6% 71 5.1% 36 13.2% ' 6,253 7.6%
Total 80,646 100.0% 1,393 100.0% 273 100.0% 82,312 100.0%
Source: Census 2000 Summary File 3 (SF 3) - Sample Data, Table H34
3-9
Chapter 3 - Housing
Table H-7 provides further evidence of the relative age of the housing stock in Augusta
and Richmond County. The table lists I 972 as the median year for all housing units built
in Augusta. This means that half were built before 1972 and half were built after. This
makes the median age of housing in Augusta older than the housing in Hephzibah,
Blythe, Columbia County, McDuffie County and the State.
Table H-7
Median Year Structure Built
Year
Augusta & Richmond Co. 1972
Hephzibah 1983
Blythe 1982
Columbia County 1986
McDuffie County 1977
Georgia 1980
Source: Census 2000 Summary File 3 (SF 3)-
Sample Data, Table \-135
3.6 Housing Cost
The cost of housing in Augusta, both owner and renter, has increased steadily over the
decades. Even with the increase, the cost of housing remains lower than regional and
state levels and contributes to the area's lower than average cost of living index.
The median value of an owner-occupied housing unit in Augusta and Richmond County
was $76,800 in the year 2000, up from $58,500 (Richmond County) in 1990. Almost
38% of the owner units were in the $60,000 to $90,000 value range. The chart below
shows that the median housing value is relatively low in comparison.
3-10
Chapter 3 - Housing
Median Value, Owner Occupied House, 2000
$140,000 - -..-.--
$120,000 ,mu ----, ..... --'--.' .-,-----
$100,000
$80,000
$60,000
$40,000
$20,000
$0
$118,000
. ._$.1.1.1,200____
Augusta
Hephzibah
Columbia
County
McDuffie County
Georgia
The cost of renting has increased from an average of $305 per month in 1990 to $4 I 3 in
2000. Nearly 45% of Augusta renters pay between $350 and $550 per month for rent.
The chart below shows that the median monthly rent in Augusta is lower than in
Columbia County and the state, but higher than in McDu/Jie County and Aiken County,
South Carolina.
Median Monthly Rent. 2000
Georgia
I I
"r-",.<,w",,,,~~'"li't""'m'.n"'<-"'ii,&%1;g'~="""'''"'''''';1''''''''''ffiK,"'''''cf",'''''' "'J"A"',,,,",,'q'"";'0#il0_.3de'" $ 5 0 5
~<.i.'t~~~~o:;,;-:~fi;~41\:'4;,~i':}:":..O,~\yW#Ff.~iS"'R.\,..;1!t1t~~c~g;;*,Rq;.r....,"in:..;.t:;~,'~~:<fr'0t':-d:l?~~~~~~p.>-(1.,,;;~;,~~~'0~0i:
I J ! i
r~<.."" ...."r..&Hii.;<;'$:(;:'*'''''ici";:jr''fCj'f'i,,%''''''''.,'~''''fjiJli''"E..%'''''''~mw.liJ'it'''''''''"lll $349
'_"".~""'T'~"MI ~&~.""""""'mm..~,' _"'",,,,,<,,,,w"~."'I_"''1'"=''' I
I '
"""",w.mt'''''''''''''_=Olt,''.'<M'''''''''';''''''''t'i"",:,,,,,.r,''.''' $286
,*~~~!m1i4.~\'@Ef~'~)t"S;.~;;~-<::tt4\;,,~~.u':..:&1
I- I. i I.-
~i\f'~~~4'n/~",'i'';;Ir~~~''ffi\:~~~~~rn~'''-~,@~~~~1J!:Wii1.~1 $506
.-a;.";jm'!l'?.J!-~",w,l.;""~~",,,,,y,,,l.;"""1"=.-,,,,,,,=_l-""""'''''r'''''N;;?:,,,,",L,$413 II
~itt~,~$l;~_Jf_w-:.mr~~~ti2~~J';'M-?I!~~:j_t,-*~W,ffiQ~~fu.~~~~m:~_~.", 1
I I 1 I
Aiken County, SC
McDuffie County
Columbia County
Augusta
$0
$100
$200
$300
- $400
$500
$600
In spite of the fact that housing value and inonthly rent in the Augusta area is relatively
affordable, there are many households that devote a high percentage of their income to
housing expenses. Cost-burdened households are defined as those households paying
35% or more of their income for housing. The data indicate that an estimated 17.6% of
Richmond County homeowners, and 32.5% of renters, are cost-burdened. Approximately
91 % of cost burdened renters had less than $20,000 in household income. An estimated
5,462 of the 6,407 cost burdened homeowners (85%) have less than $35,000 in household
income. The following charts compare the percentage of cost burdened homeowners and
3-11
Chapter 3 - Housing
renters in Richmond County with those for Columbia County, McDuffie County,
Georgia, and the Augusta MSA.
20% .
18%
16%
14%
12%
10%
8%
6%
4%
2% _n
0%
35%
30%
25%
20% .-.-
15% --
10% .
5%
0%
Percent Cost Burdened Homeowners
.16,69-%_, ___ 1!.~~~~___
Georgia
Columbia County McDuffie County
Richmond
County
Augusta MSA
Percent Cost Burdened Renters
Georgia
Columbia
County
McDuffie
County
Richmond, Augusta MSA
County
3.7 Housing Conditions
One indicator of housing conditions is the number of units that lack complete plumbing.
facilities. In 2000, 826 Richmond County housing units lacked complete plumbing,
facilities. This figure represents approximately ] .0% of the total housing units. This is
down slightly from the 932 units (1.6%) lacking complete plumbing in ] 990, and
significantly below the 5,874 (l6.8%) units in ]960.
Another indicator of housing conditions is the number of persons per room in occupied
housing units. An occupied housing unit is considered overcrowded if there are more
than ].0 I persons per room. At the time of the 2000 census there were 3,844
3-]2
Chapter 3 - Housing
overcrowded units in Richmond County, representing 5.2% of all occupied housing units.
Renter-occupied units accounted for 72% of all the overcrowded units in Riclunond.
County. The percentage of overcrowded units in 2000 was higher than the 4.5% recorded
in 1990. The following chart shows that the percentage of overcrowded units had been
declining steadily since 1960,
Percent Overcrowded Housing Units
--------.
!
12.0% -
10.0% --
8.0%
6.0%
4.0% - --------
2,0%
0.0%
1970
1980
1990
2000
-+- Georgia
,_____ n_________.,__..._
:....... Richmond Co.
10.7%
5,3%
3,8%
4.5%
4,8%
10.8%
5.4%
5,2%
3.8 ,Housing for the Homeless
Homelessness is a fact of life for many men, women and children in the Augusta area.
Many other individuals and families are in danger of becoming homeless. According to
the Continuum of Care Gap Analysis there are not enough beds/units to meet the shelter
needs of homeless, individuals and families with children. The Continuum of Care is a
community-based planning process that identifies the critical needs of the homeless and
develops a strategy to assist them. The tabl~ pelqw shows the estimated bousing,n,eeds of
Augusta's homeless, the current inventory and the unmet need. It is obvious thadn spite
of the efforts of humanitarian organizations, the majority of the housing needs remain
unmet.
3-13
Chapter 3 - Housing
Table H-8
Housing Needs of the Homeless, 2002
Augusta, GA
Estimated Need Current Inventory Unmet Need
Individuals
Emergency Shelter 301 148 153
Transitional Shelter 175 48 127
Emergency Shelter 875 196 680
Total 1,352 392 960
Families
Emergency Shelter 100 61 39
Transitional Shelter 250 21 229
Emergency Shelter 400 0 400
Total 750 82 668
Source: Augusta Continuum of Care Gap Analysis, 2002
The Augusta Task Force for the Homeless (A TFH) is the lead agency in implementing
the local homeless assistance strategy. The A TFH is actually a coalition of more than 50
organizations providing housing and services to the homeless. A small, paid staff
provides intake and referral services to the homeless on behalf of A TFH member
agencies, distributes information, coordinates communications among service providers,
and provides administrative support.
Locally, housing for the homeless is provided in the form of emergency shelters,
transitional housing and some permanent housing. The Salvation Army (capacity: 80-
120) and the Augusta Rescue Mission (capacity: 35) are the two largest emergency
shelters. Safe Homes of Augusta, Inc. provides emergency shelter to battered women and
their children. Agencies providing transitional housing units include Augusta Urban
Ministries, the CSRA Economic Opportunity Authority (EOA), St. Stephen's Ministry,
and the Community Mental Health Center. Groups assisted by these agencies include
homeless families with children, men and women recovering from substance abuse,
AIDS patients, disabled veterans and mentally ill adults. The Community Mental Health
Center also provides permanent supportive housing for the homeless. The Supportive
Living Program includes 40 supervised apartments, support in daily activities,
counseling, and links to other community resources for the homeless.
A variety of support services are offered to the homeless. The Salvation Army provides a
soup kitchen, clothing vouchers, an adult literacy program, legal advocacy and referral to
Georgia Legal Services, an emergency medical clinic, prescriptions through a local
phannacy, social rehabilitation services, and substance abuse counseling sessions. The
EOA supports two clinics providing free health care and operates a Rent Assistance
3~14
Chapter 3 - Housing
Voucher program for homeless individuals and families. The EOA also operates a day
shelter for the homeless.
The Golden Harvest Food Bank operates a soup kitchen and a separate food warehouse.
and distribution center. Catholic Social Services and Augusta Urban Ministries provide
food, clothing, household goods, and other assistance to the homeless. The Richmond
County Department of Family and Children Services helps the homeless obtain food
stamps, welfare benefits, information, and referral services. The Augusta Housing
Authority provides Section 8 housing vouchers to the homeless. The Community Mental
Health Center also has programs to help clients adjust to living in the community. These
programs teach community and supp0l1 networking, independent living skills, job
readiness, and education skills, vocational training, and recreational or leisure skills.
3.9 Housing Production and Programs
As in other communities, housing production in Augusta is large]y a private sector
activity. A land owner or developer has lots platted in a conventional subdivision format
or in some other layout that meets a market need. A builder buys the lots and constructs
housing (mits on each one. In the case of a multi-family development, a contractor builds
the apartment complex on behalf of a group of investors. Realtors market the single-
family units, while management companies oversee the rental and upkeep of apartment
units. Private financial institutions provide construction and permanent financing so that
the units can be built, sold and occupied. Repayment of loans to the financial institutions
is one source of fresh capital for new loans.
The City of Augusta does provide some housing assistance, primarily for the benefit of
low and moderate income persons. The city is an entitlement community under the U. S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development's Comnlunity Developn1ent Block Grant
(CDBG) Program. The city receives approximately $2.9 nlillion in CDBG funds each
year. The grant funds are allocated to a variety of housing and related community
development activities. The city receives a separate allocation of approximately $1.4
million from HUD's HOME Investment Partnership Program'. The:HOME Program is ~~'il>"
designed to assist in the construction and rehabilitation of housing for low and moderate
income persons. Each year the city programs the HOME funds and some CDBG funds to
the following housing assistance programs:
o Housing Rehabilitation - This program provides deferred and low-interest loans to
finance repairs to substandard single-family residences, emergency grants to
correct dangerous or hazardous conditions in single-family residences, and free
paint for use on the exterior of residences.
o Rental Rehabi]itation - This program provides assistance to investors-owners to
rehabilitate rental units for occupancy by low and moderate income households.
3-]5
Chapter 3 - Housing
o Downpayment Assistance - This program provides downpayment assistance to
qualified low and moderate income households purchasing a home for the first
time.
o Demolition - Rebuild - This program funds the construction or reconstruction of
new homes for low and moderate income households occupying severely
deteriorated units.
o Code Enforcement - This program finances code enforcement activities by the
City's License and Inspection Department in neighborhoods with high
concentration of deteriorated structures.
o Demolition and Clearance - This program finances the demolition and clearance
of deteriorated structures. After clearance the vacant lots are made available to
private companies and Community' Housing Development Organizations
(CHDOs) for the construction of affordable housing for low and moderate income
households.
In recent years the City has allocated CDBO and HOME funds to non-profit
organizations for the construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing in targeted
neighborhoods. Several of the non-profits have been organized in response to an
increased emphasis on neighborhood-based solutions to housing and community
development needs. Other non-profits reflect outreach by churches located in some of
the City's most distressed neighborhoods. The non-profit organizations include the
following:
o Augusta Neighborhood Improvement Corporation
o 30901 Development Corporation
o Laney-Walker Development Corporation
o Antioch Ministries Community Development Corporation
o East Augusta Community Development Corporation
o Sand Hills Neighborho6d Association
o Promised Land Community Development Corporation
In addition to housing programs, the city uses CDBG funds to finance public facilities,
economic development and public services benefiting low and moderate income
households. Public facilities constructed in recent years include Fire Station #5 in the
Bethlehem neighborhood and a community center at East Augusta Park: Prior to .
consolidation the former County used CDBO grant awards to construct the Mental
Retardation Service Center, the Savannah Place Multipurpose Center and the Belle
Terrace (now Henry Brigham) Senior Center.
3.10 Public Housing
The Housing Authority of Augusta and Richmond County is the designated Local Public
Housing Agency (PHA). Established in 1937, the Housing Authority is governed by a
3-16
Chapter 3 - Housing
five-member Board of Commissioners appointed by the mayor of Augusta. An
Executive Director and staff of employees oversee the day-to-day operations of the
housing Authority and its properties. The Housing Authority currently operates and
maintains fourteen (14) properties tin Augusta-Richmond County. Together, these
properties house approximately 6,800' people in 2,777 living units. Another 6,122 people
are assisted through the Section 8 Housing Assistance payment Program. The annual
budget for the Housing Authority exceeds $20 million and includes expenditures to
operate and maintain the public housing projects, provide housing assistance payments to
Section 8 program participants, make capital improvements, provide security and other
community services, and overall administration of the program.
3.11 Summary of Housing Needs
Projections indicate a need for an additional 11,000 housing units in Augusta over the
next 20 years or so. The split among types of units (i.e. I-unit detached, I-unit attached,
apartments, manufactured homes, etc.) is anticipated to remain about the same as it is
now. The private sector alone will construct the majority of these new units in a variety
of price ranges. However, the local government, private sector and non-profit
organizations will also be involved in providing housing, especially for households
sensitive to cost and affordability. Many such partnerships are already in place and
providing new and rehabilitated housing units for such households. Developing mixed-
income neighborhoods is the goal as additional housing is constructed.
Census data, field surveys, and input from the public and interest groups reveal a number
of housing problems arid needs. Lack of routine maintenance and repair work is evidence
of the need for limited and moderate rehabilitation. There is a particularly high
concentration of older, substandard housing units within neighborhoods in the fonner city
of Augusta. Smaller pockets of deteriorating units are located in almost all of the
neighborhoods. Still other housing units are abandoned, dilapidated, and used for
criminal activities. These units need to be dealt with either through code enforcement or
total reconstruction. Where dilapidated units have been removed, the resulting vacant lots
have become bli'ghting influences on neighborhoods. The vacant lots represent
opportunities for construction of new housing.
Standard rental and owner units are available throughout the community, but cannot be
accessed by those in need of better housing because they lack the necessary income,
financing, or credit history. The high cost of housing has made it necessary for an
increasing number of Augusta-Richmond County families to turn to manufactured
housing and low-cost rental units as the housing of choice. Some renters.are paying
excessive amounts of their income for shelter, and others cannot afford the downpayment
or other costs related to purchasing a home. These conditions and trends are all indicators
of the need for the construction of more affordable housing, and the provision of more
rental subsidies and downpayment assistance.
Based on input received at the public meetings and from homeless assistance providers,
the homeless have a need for emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent
3-17
Chapter 3 - Housing
supportive housing, and permanent housing. Emergency shelters in the community are
able to handle a high percentage of the homeless population, but there is an ongoing need
to expand these facilities to meet increasing demand. Additional transitional housing is
needed to take some of the burden off of the emergency shelters, and to help more of the
homeless take an initial step towards moving into pemlanent housing. Permanent
supportive housing is also needed, particularly for people with mental and physical
disabilities.
3-18
/"S\ ;:J>
,. '\ ==
Li~ 'r"
"1J I 0 C
0 [lIIETI~D 0 CD iT ~ '0. 1111! ' I~I c (Jq
CD . ',I' j~" C
.., . l ...r ~
'" ::J (") , r r ~:J ~- I -. ~
CJl CD Ii ~, ;1 I '::/ = S-
:E ZC :J r~ " 1 ~
....... ^ ....... ^ ~ t i~;
0 0 o CJl ..... :.= "'-~ I
tz ....... ....... r~ II iiF '< = e ~
~ 0 ~ O~ I .Ii '"1 j.! f ~ 0-
0 ~ 0 0 0 II; ilr 1;.,.. = _.
+ 0 + ~ ::Tnl f!!tff!~ = = ;l _. (')
0 c '" ~"tI S
Z Z nl n. -. ". .....
Cf) z z ~. i.1 ~! a iJ r o -.
CD CD ::J CJl ~~'rliff = " ~
.- .- CD CD CO :J !ii;i;':'~ :r' 0
0 .- .- CD CO
I I "'~ .;' '''' r
I I is ~! . ~i ~ ::s
0 0 0 0 ::J C q d i~! = 0-
C C '. ~~ ~ir
tI:l CJl ~. C C I :J ~
. , ..... '"fli n
CJl CJl ..... r i tH ~
::J ::J ::J ::J 0 ~ a~ 0
CO CO C (') r L' r r
CO CO CJl t r ~i ~p.<o - C
C C ::T ,"0 \0
C C S' 0> '0 ':<; ~ ::s
::J ~. ::J ::JCO :J \0 9
;:;.: Q
0 .- ;:;.: ;:;.: C CO
CD I
'" ::J ::J 0 0 ::J ~
() () CD CD ;:;.: N
.., .., .....ll. Q
CD CD () () CJl
nl nl S' c.o Q
CJl CJl ::J c.o Q
CD CD CD CD 0
I
'"
0
0 0
0
~
s:
CD
CIl
aJ
c
;.
(1)
(")
o
c
=
.:<
(")
o
C
3
C"
~.
(")
o
c
=
-
'<
-~-
:lI:"
Cl)
~
(')
o
c
~
~
CJJ
C')
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
4. Introduction
Economic development is critical to the future of Augusta. The creation of jobs and investment in
facilities and equipment generates the income needed to sustain the community and attract additional
development. Economic initiatives, in combination with population projections, housing, land use,
community facilities and services, and natural resources~ form a strategy for the economic well being, of
the city.
This chapter includes an inventory and assessment of Augusta's economic base, labor force
characteristics, arid economic development opportunities and resources. This profile is used to identify
economic strengths and weaknesses, and enables the city to pinpoint specific economic development
needs and goals. The economic development goals, in turn, help identify specific economic development
initiatives that are part of the implementation strategy for the comprehensive plan.
4.1 Augusta Metropolitan Area
Augusta is at the heart of a metropolitan area spanning five counties and including over 477,000 residents
(Census 2000). Total nonfarm employment in the Augusta MSA is approximately 200,000 (Georgia
Department of Labor, 2001 Annual Average). In te1111S of employment in the private sector, major
industries in the region include manufacturing, retail trade, professional and business services, educational
and health services, and leisure and hospitality services. Government accounts for 19.5% of total
employment, with state and local government employment averaging a total of 31,700.
Principal components of the manufacturing sector include textiles and apparel, paper and allied products,
chemicals, transportation equipment, stone, clay and glass products, food products, and furniture, lumber
and wood products. Most of the manufacturing facilities are located in modern industrial parks and / or in
close proximity to needed resources (e.g. water) and the surface transportation network (primarily
highways and railroads). '
Retail trade establishments emplqy 24,000,MSA residents and tend to be concentrated in strip commercial
centers, -shopping malls and downtown Augusta, Aiken, North Augusta, Grovetown, Evans, Martinez and
Thomson. Examples of retail trade establishments include grocery stores, drug stores, department stores,
furniture stores, and general merchandise stores. Combined sales of the 1,883. retail establishments in the
region exceeded $3.8 billion in 1997 (Census of Retail Trade, 1997).
Professional' and business service companies employ approximately 29,700 residents and are concentrated
in the urbanized parts of the metropolitan area. Health care and social services employ approximately
18,900 residents and include area hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, social service agencies, and the
offices of doctors, dentists and other health care practitioners. Health care and social service facilities are
located in urban and suburban sites throughout the region, with the largest concentration in the medical
complex near downtown Augusta. /
Leisure and hospitality establishments include such uses as restaurants, hotels, motels, nightclubs, movie
theaters, and museums. Over 17,000 area residents are employed in such establishments, which tend to be
4-1
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
concentrated in historic downtowns, suburban shopping centers, and along commercial strips. The high
level of employment in this category reflects the strength of tourism and convention business, and the fact
that the metropolitan area is home to may special events and cultural facilities.
Government is a final major employment sector in the metropolitan area. Major government employers in
the area include Fort Gordon, the Savannah River Site, state universities and technical colleges, the
Medical College of Georgia, local school systems, and federal, state and local government agencies. Fort
Gordon and the Savannah River Site are located on large sites earmarked for their use many years ago.
Local elementary and secondaI)' schools are scattered throughout the metropolitan area. General
governn1ent otTices and courts tend to be located downtown or in new town centers such as Evans.
4.1.1 Fort Gordon and the Savannah River Site
Fort Gordon, located in southwest Augusta, is the home of the U. S. Army Signal Center, the world's
largest training facility in communications and electronics. A fixture in the community since the 1940s,
the Fort accounts for employment of about 17,000 area residents, 10,000 of who live off base. Counting
payroll and procurement of goods, services and new construction, the Fort's annual economic impact on
the area exceeds $1.0 billion. The Fort is also home to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center.
Eisenhower Medical Center provides primary health care services to more than 90,000 active and-retired
military personnel and their families. In addition to the 15th Signal Brigade, Fort Gordon is home to
components of the 5131h Military Intelligence Brigade. The 5131h Ml Brigade provides intelligence and
electronic warfare support to combat units.
Fort Gordon was spared from closing under the first four rounds of Base Realignment and Closure
(BRAC) during the I 990s. In fact, to date none of the thirteen (13) military installations in Georgia have
been atIected by BRAe. This means that Georgia installations, including Fort Gordon, will be more
vulnerable when the BRAC Commission makes a new list of recommended base closures in the fall of
2005. In response to this challenge, community leaders have formed the CSRA Alliance for Fort Gordon.
The group is charged with developing a strategic plan to protect the Fort from closure, sponsoring a single
point of contact in Washington, D.C. with information on the Fort, and establish new missions at the Fort.
A second federal governn1ent facility important to the Augusta area is -the Savannah River Site (SRS).
SRS is a key Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear installation. Owned by DOE's Savannah River
Operations Office, and operated under contract by the Westinghouse Savannah River Company (WSRC),
the site covers some 198,344 acres (310 square miles) encompassing parts of Aiken, Barnwell and
Allendale counties in South Carolina.
SRS was constructed during the early 1950s to produce the basic materials used in the fabrication of
nuclear weapons, primarily tritium and plutonium-239. The site originally consisted of five reactors to
produce nuclear materials by irradiating target materials with neutrons. Support facilities included two
chemical separation plants, a heavy water extraction plant, a nuclear fuel and target fabrication facility
and waste management facilities.
The end of the Cold War in 1990 resulted in significant changes at SRS. All five of the aging nuclear
reactors were "mothballed" and the site's primary mission shifted from production of nuclear materials to
4-2
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
waste management and environmental monitoring. Budget reductions resulted in dowllsizing at SRS that
has a ripple effect on the region's economy in recent years.
SRS Employment Trends
30,000 - -'----------------------'----------
25,000 - -----------------
20,000 ---------
15,000 ------ - - -
1 0,000
5,000 - -- - ---------
o -,
~
.:!?
~ o?
.:!? .:!?
"-
~
"-
~
.:!?
cg:>
.:!?
-~. ---~~-:-=']
I
--I
-I
_./
I
!
g;
.:!?
J?
.:!?
~
.:!?
~
.:!?
~
.:!?
ck
.:!?
~
.:!?
According to infonnation in a study titled" Economic Impact of the Savannah River Site", July 200] , SRS
downsizing has had a substantial effect on the region's employment and income levels. Total SRS
employment declined from 25,] 80 in 1991 to ] 3,854 in 1999. Aiken, Richmond, and Columbia County
residents accounted for 7,067 (62%) of the jobs lost through a combination of voluntary and involuntary
separation during this period. The estimated number of Richmond County (Augusta) residents working at
SRS declined from 3,876 in ] 991 to ] ,593 in 2000.
_ In addition to job losses, the region lost income as a result of reduced expenditures at SRS. The economic
impact study calculated that total expenses at SRS decreased by 26.4% during 1991-] 999. As,a result, the
states of South Carolina and Georgia experienced a total direct and indirect income loss of as much as
$2.9 billion from 1992 - 1999. People in the eight counties closest to the site accounted for approximately
75% of the lost income. Additional analysis revealed that the reduction in budget and workforce at SRS
had a significant impact on the growth of total personal income in many counties, especially between
1993 and 1996.
In spite of the downsizing, SRS remains a significant employer and income generator. Annual
expenditures by SRS remain in the range of $1.4 billion to $2.'0 billion (1987 - 1999). In the wake of the
reductions in force, the Department of Energy appropriated $34 million to SRS during 1993 - 1996 to
assist local communities to plan and implement econoinic development projects. Strategies to spur job
creation include the privatization of non-classified' SRS operations, the transfer of technology for
commercial use, technical assistance, networking with community organizations, and providing funds for
building infrastructure.
4.2 Economic Base of Augusta
Augusta has a diversified economy that mirrors the MSA economy in many respects. Employment is
highest in the service, retail trade ,and manufacturing sectors. Manufacturing facilities in the city produce
textiles, paper products, chemicals, transportation equipment, and food products. Retail trade
establishments are located in the downtown, in shopping centers on major roads, and on individual sites,
4~3
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
and provide for the daily needs of area residents. Large facilities such as Augusta Mall and Augusta
Exchange draw customers from throughout region.
Major employers in the service sector .include health care and related facilities, educational institutions
and business service establishments. Eight hospitals are the most visible component of the city's health
care industry. (See description in Community Facilities chapter) Additional health care jobs are provided
at clinics, nursing homes, laboratories, and the offices of doctors, dentists and other health care
practitioners. Major educational institl.ltions providing employment include the Medical College of
Georgia, Paine College, Augusta State University, Augusta Technical College, and the Richmond County
Board of Education.
4.2.1 Employment by Sector
Employment figures are a reflection of the economic base of Augusta. Table E-] shows employment
within Richmond County, between 199] and 2000 for each major sector of the economy. The data
indicate that services, retail trade and manufacturing sectors account for approximately 75% of total
employment. These three sectors have dominated in the past and are expected to lead the way in the
future.
Table E-l
Employment Trends by Sector
Richmond County, 1991-2000
Industry 1991 OA, of Total 1995 % of Total 2000 % of Total
Agriculture 275 0.28% 322 0.32% 364 0.34%
Mining 130 0.13% 134 0.13% 52 0.05%
Construction 4,038 4.10% 3,659 3.62% 6,028 5.60%
Manufacturing 12,908 13.10% 12,964 12.84% 13,263 12.30%
TCPU 3,345 4.40% 3,528 3.49% 4,518 4.20%
Wholesale Trade 4,157 4.22% 3,482 3.45% 3,042 2.80%
Retail Trade 20,041 20.34% 21,086 20.88% 21,481 19.92%
FIRE 3,583 3.64% 3,883 3.84% 3,197 2.96%
Services 42,576 43.21% 45,541 45.09% 50,190 46.53%
Public 7,448 7.56% 6,396 6.33% 5,722 5.31%
Administration
TOTAL 98,529 100% 100,997 100% 107,857 100%
Source: Georgia Department of Labor, Data represents jobs in the county covered by unemployment
insurance laws.
4-4
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
Employment in Richmond County is expected to increase by 27,574 (26%) over the next 25 years, from
107,857 to 135,431 (see Table E-2). Services, retail trade and manufacturing continue to be the three
largest sectors. In 2025, services account for 63,687 jobs, or 47% of total employment. lobs in retail
trade total 26,545 (19.6%), and another 17,266 (12.7%) in manufacturing.
)'ableE-2
E,mployment Projections
Richmond County, 2005-2025
Industr)' 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025
Agriculture 364 375 381 369 378 384
Mining 52 50 55 54 61 57
Construction 6,028 6,502 6,695 6,743 6,830 6,971
Manufacturing 13,263 14,412 15,155 15,974 16,780 17,266
TCPU 4,518 4,818 5,025 5,234 5,432 5,620
Wholesale Trade 3,042 3,374 3,543 3,684 3,792 3,898
Retail Trade 21,481 22,431 23,513 24,577 25,641 26,545
F.J.R.E 3,197 3,448 3,616 3,771 3,927 4,132
Services 50,190 54,544 56,904 59,210 61,280 63,687
Public Administration 5,722 6,154 6,443 6,510 6,778 6,871
TOTAL 107,857- 116,108 121,330 126,126 130,899 135,431
Source: Georgia Department of Labor, 200 data; Augusta-Richmond County Planning Commission,
2005-2025 projections.
Table E-3 compares the percentage of jobs by sector in Richmond County with adjacent counties and the
state of Georgia. The data show that regionally services, retail trade, government and manufacturing ar~
the leading employment sectors. The presence of several state facilities and Fort Gordon explains why
government workers account for 23% of employment in Richmond County.
4.2.2 Wage Levels
'Table E-4 shows current and historic average weekly wages paid within each employment sector, and
compares the most recent Richmond County averages with state level totals. The figures indicate that
average weekly wages are rising in all employment sectors. Between 1992 and 2000, gains were
especially significant in the Finance, Insurance and Real Estate (FIRE) sector (125.0%) and the Mining
sector (39.0%). However, average weekly wages are below the state averages in all of the sectors except
Manufacturing and FIRE. The average weekly wage in Richmond County was $539. This is $119 less
than the average weekly wage statewide. One possible explanation for the 'lower wage rates is that lower
paying sectors, such as Services and Retail Trade, account for a large share of total employment in
Richmond County. Another contributing factor is that Augusta and Richmond County experienced
4-5
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
relatively low grow1h during the 1990s, thus making it possible for employers to attract or retain
employees at relatively low wages when compared to other fast-growing markets.
Table E-3
Comparison of Sector Employment, 2004
Richmond, Columbia and McDuffie Counties, the State of Georgia
Industry Richmond Columbia McDuffie Georgia
Agriculture 0.1% 0.3% 5.3% 1.2%
Mining 0.1% 0.5% 1.0% 0.3%
Construction 4.5% 11.3% 7.8% 5.2%
Manufacturing 11.4% 14.4% 22.2% 12.6%
Wholesale Trade 2.1% 2.3% 0.8% 5.3%
Retail Trade 12.5% 13.4% 13.7% 11. 7%
Services (except Government) 45.8% 41.8% 29.1% 48.2%
Government 23.2% 16.0% 20.1% 15.5%
Total - Private Sector 76.8% 84.0% 79.9% 84.5%
T otal - Government 23.2% 16.0% 20.1% 15.5%
Source: Georgia Department of Labor, Area Labor profiles and Georgia Nonagricultural
Employment.
NOTE: The data reflect the conversion from the 1987 Standard Industrial Classification
(SIC) basis to the 2002 North American Industry Classification System
(NAICS) basis.
4-6
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
Table E-4
Wage Levels by Industry
Richmond County, 1992 - 2000
Average Weekly Wage
Richmond County Georgia
Industry 1992 1995 1998 2000 2000
All Sectors $432 $462 $519 $539 $658
Agriculture $235 $259 $353 $347 $403
Mining $590 $779 $949 $820 $879
Construction $404 $434 $513 $568 $655
Manufacturing $596 $658 $741 $776 $721
T ransportati on/Uti lities $566 $588 $597 $596 $949
Wholesale Trade $541 $600 $651 $730 $968
Retail Trade $224 $248 $282 $290 $350
F.l.R.E $441 $467 $900 $993 $967
Services $462 $490 $521 $535 $657
Public Administration $415 $435 $535 $546 $608
Source: Georgia Department of Labor, Area Labor Profiles and Georgia Employment
And Wages, 2000.
4.2.3 Income and Earnings
Income is another important component of Augllsta's economic base. Tables E:-5 and E-6 compare
median household income and per capita incom~ figures for Richmond County;" the Augusta MSA,
Georgia and the United States. Table E-5 shows that while both median household and per capita income
figures increased in Richmond County between 1989 and 1999, they remain well below comparable
levels for the metropolitan area, the state, and the nation. TableE-6 reveals that Richmond County's
median household income is only 78% of the state's median household income and 79% of the
comparable national figure. These percentages are lower than'they were in 1989, indicating that local
income levels are not increasing as fast as the state and national income levels. A comparable trend is
evident for per capita income.
4-7
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
Table E-5
Household and Per Capital Income Trend
Richmond County, Augusta MSA, Georgia and United States, 1989 - 1999
Median Household Per Capita Income
Income
1989 1999 1989 1999
Richmond County $25,265 $33,086 $] 1 ,799 $17,088
Augusta MSA $28,490 $38,]03 $ ] 2,72 ] $] 8,744
Geon!.ia $29,02 ] $42,433 $]3,631 $2] , ] 54
United States $30,056 $41,994 $14,420 $2],587
Source: Census] 990, STF3 and 2000, SF3
Table E-6
Income as a Percentage of Georgia and United States Figures
Richmond County and Augusta MSA, 1989 and 1999
Median Household Per Capita Income
Income
1989 1999 1989 1999
Percent of Georgia
Richmond County 87.1% 77.9% 86.6% 80.8%
Augusta MSA 98.2% 89.8% 93.3% 88.6%
Percent of United States
Richmond County 84.1% 78.8% 81. 9% 79.2%
Augusta MSA 94.8% 90.7% 88.2% 86.8%
Source: Census 1990,STF3 and 2000, SF3
Source of persona] income is another indicator of the economic health of a community. The Georgia
Department of Community Affairs, with the assistance of Woods and Poole Economics, Inc., has
developed estimates and projections of the sources of personal income for all Georgia counties. In
developing this information, personal income is divided into the following five categories:
4-8
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
1. Wage and Salary ~ Total income earned as compensation for working or rendering
servIces;
2. Other Labor Inconie - Total employer contributions to private pensIOn or worker's
compensation funds;
3. Proprietor's Income - Proprietor's income measures total profits earned from partnerships
and sole proprietorships;
4. Dividends - Investment - Rent and Interest Payments, and Interest Income - Total income
from investments and rental propel1y; and ,
5. Transfer Payments - Total income from payments by the government under many different
programs, such as Social Security, unemployment insurance, SSI, food stamps, and
veterans benefits.
Table E- 7 shows the source of personal income by type for Richmond County and the state of Georgia
between 1990 and 2000. The data indicate that wage and salary income accounts for nearly three-foUJ1hs
of personal income in Richmond County. This is well above the state average for Wage and Salary
income. Locally, Proprietors' Income and Dividends - Interest - Rent Income are below state averages,
indicating that Richmond County has a lower percentage of self-employed people and people with long-
term investments.
Table E- 7
Sources of Personal Income by Type - 1990 - 2000
Richmond County and Georgia
1990 1995 2000
Richmond Georgia Richmond Georgia Richmond Georgia
County County County
Wage and Salary 73.8% 60.4% 72.9% 59.0% '77.7% 61.2%
Other Labor 13.6% 8.7% 13.2% 8.6% 11.4% 6.8%
Propris:Jpr' s, Income 5.3% ~7.1% 3.2% 7.9% 4;2% 8.6%"'>(;'1
Dividends, Interest & Rent 15.7% 17.3% 15.5% 16.3% 17.9% 16.8%
Transfer Payments 13.8% 10.9% 17.9% 12.6% 17.6% 11.1%
Residence Adjustment -17.5% .,.0.10(1'0 -18.2% -0.2% -24.3% -0.1 %
Source: Georgia Department of Community AfTairs, Data for Planning, Woods and Poole.
Economics, Inc., 2002.
Included with the Source of Personal Income figures is a Residence Adjustment factor, which measures
the net amount of personal income of residents of the county that is earned outside the county. A positive
number means that the amount of income earned outside the county by residents is greater than the
amount of income earned in the county by nonresidents. Richmond County's negative Residence
4,:,9
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
Adjustment factor indicates that the amount of income earned in the county by nonresidents exceeds the
amount of income earned outside the county by residents. This is indicative of the fact that Augusta-
Richmond County is home to a majority of the jobs in the metropolitan area and that a relatively small
percentage of residents work outside the county. According to the projections in Table E-8, the profile of
personal income sources in Richmond County is expected to remain about the same over the next 20
years.
Table E-8
Sources of Personal Income by Type - 2005 - 2025
Richmond County and Georgia
2005 2015 2025
Richmond Georgia Richmond Georgia Richmond Georgia
Wage & 78.1% 61.1% 78.6% 60.9% 78.7% 60.9%
Sa lary 1 ncome
Other Labor 11.3% 6.7% 11.1% 6.5% 10.8% 6.3%
Income
Proprietor's 4.1% 8.5% 4.1% 8.3% 4.0% 8.2%
Income
Dividends, ,
1 nterest & 18.1% 16.8% 18.0% 16.6% 17.7% 16.3%
Rent
Transfer 18.1% 11.2% 19.4% 11.7% 20.8% 12.2%
Payments
Resident -24.9% 0.33% -25.9% 1.00% -26.6% 1.35%
Ad justment
Source: Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Data for Planning, Woods and
Poole Economics, Inc., 2002.
Earnings figures also reflect the growing importance of the service sector to the local economy. Table E-9
shows the trend in earnings by employment sector for Richmond County between 1980 and 2000. The
numbers indicate that aggregate earnings in several sectors increased during the period. Notably increases
were recorded in the following sectors: service, construction, state and local government, and retail trade.
Aggregate earnings declined in the farming, agricultural services, mining, and federal military
government sectors. Earnings in all sectors are projected to increase over the next 20 years (see Table E-
10). Total earnings are projected to increase by approximately 34% to $5.96 billion.
Table E-Il compares the percent earnings by sector for Richmond County and the state of Georgia. The
figures indicate that the services, manufacturing and state and local government sectors are projected to
account for the majority of earnings in Richmond County in 2025. Statewide services, manufacturing and
TCPU are expected to be the top three sectors in 2025.
4-10
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
Table E-9
. Earnings by Sector, 1980-2000
Richmond County
Employment Sector 1980 1990 2000
Farm $1,199,000 $774,000 $1,014,000
Agricultural Services, Other $14,042,000 $5,639,000 $8,227,000
Mining $4,443,000 $5,193,000 $2,863,000
Construction $] 21 ,566,000 $288,944,000 $226,]57,000
Manufacturing $453,163,000 $611,815,000 $597,092,000
Trans, Communications, & Public
Utilities (TCPU) $115,754,000 $119,012,000 $] 72,536,000
Wholesale Trade $109,540,000 $150,334,000 $]39,66],000
Retail Trade $230,800,000 $317,850,000 $377,584,000
Finance, Insurance, & Real Estate (FIRE) $96,339,000 $111,824,000 $138;754,000
Services $320,753,000 $764,600,000 $990,] 80,000
Federal Civilian Government $274,387,000 $320,036,000 $307,258,000
Federal Military Government $521,970,000 $392,441,000 $427,364,000
State & Local Government $432,273,000 $563,694,000 $756,931,000
Total $2,696,230,000 $3,652,160,000 $4,] 45,620,000
All figures in ] 996 dollars
Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc.
Earnings by Sector, Richmond County
Percent Change, 1980-2000
100.0% .
[I"'if
~.1'~ '1'.
~
~i~ ~1~
-;-- ~ --r-'~--'-~-~-'
rv '~I
(f ",Co. o~ o-l. . 04" ,
<< Jp 0 0. c? !
'-c;!l}'~-~--r/Y--;
,-l.' ."'~ 0
~V' ~~" 'l;,-v
~'I> ~'I> ,'"
0'" 0'" r~'I>
<<'" '<<<2i -J
200.0% .
150.0% .
50.0% .--. ~-~ .---'-----.
[I).... lill."
.... ',. ,
~, ' .' ,
t. . . "." ~
".lii "'" i~
o %!l9 ' m~$' t%k~~
o 0 Yo . -G;E;l-~ '-'-:1].". .' ~- -"- '--- .-_.B_r-
. ~. '*$~ . . ,
. ~ <i~ ~ Q, :0 '" '"
. ,~ .~~ # ~ 8 ~ ~
-50.0% . - N.~___~~_~_u..s_.__.....5..........~~.~"'<"
if" ~ ~ ~ ~
Q,' o~ ~v ",Co n...'"
'?' () ....'1> o~"'-
~ . ~. #
o'S'
4-11
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
Table E-tO
Projected Earnings by Sector, 2005 - 2025
Richmond County
Employment Sector 2005 20t5 2025
Farm $1,086,000 $1,252,000 $1,473,000
Agricultural Services, Other $8,982,000 $10,361,000 $12,113,000
Mining $3,065,000 $3,436,000 $3,834,000
Construction $233,318,000 $248,346,000 $264,146,000
Manufacturing $626,973,000 $696,746,000 . $769,000,000
Trans, Communications, & Public Utilities
(TCPU) $184,903,000 $208,911,000 $231,046,000
Wholesale Trade $149,601,000 $169,854,000 $194,014,000
Retail Trade $400,35] ,000 $446,910,000 $494,271,000
Finance, Insurance, & Real Estate (FIRE) $151,820,000 $177,508,000 $208,983,000
Services $1,]38,180,000 $1,507,380,000 $1,967,970,000
Federal Civilian Government $310,437,000 $327,632,000 $347,045,000
Federal Military Government $453,805,000 $506,389,000 $557,108,000
State & Local Government $786,122,000 $843,195,000 $909,382,000
Total $4,448,640,000 $5,147,920,000 $5,960,390,000
All figures in 1996 dollars
Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc.
Table E-ll
Percent Earnings by Sector, 2000 and 2025
Richmond County and Geon?:ia
Richmond County Georgia
Employment Sector 2000 2025 2000 2025
Farm 0.02% 0.02% 0.98% 0.79%
Agricultural Services, Other 0.20% 0.20% 0.59% 0.62%
Mining 0.07% 0.06% 0.27% 0.18%
Construction 5.46% 4.43% 6.00% 5.06%
Manufacturing 14.40% 12.90% 14.86% 12.~3%
Trans, Comm., & Public Utilities (TCPU) 4.16% 3.88% 9.89% 9.63%
Wholesale Trade 3.37% 3.26% 8.44% 7.71%
Retail Trade 9.11% 8.29% 8.99% 8.71%
Finance, Insurance, & Real Estate (FIRE) 3.35% 3.51% 7.57% 7.82%
Services 23.88% . 33.02% 26.77% 33.73%
Federal Civilian Government 7.41% 5.82% 3.39% 2.33%
Federal Military Government 10.31 % 9.35% 2.06% 1.53%
State & Local Government 18.26% 15.26% 10.18% 9.37%
Source: Woods & Poole Economics, Inc.
4-12
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
4.3 Labor Force Characteristics
The labor force characteristics of a community provide potential investors and private companies with
insights into the availability of workers, skill levels, occupations, and employment levels. This section
includes an inventory and assessment of Richmond County's labor force. Information is provided on
employment, unemployment, labor force participation, occupations, and commuting patterns. Local data
are compared to state and national figures as appropriate.
4.3.1 Labor Force and Employment
Table E-12 indicates that Richmond County residents comprise 39% of the civilian labor force, and 38%
of the employed residents, in the Augusta metropolitan area. This is not surprising because Richmond
County is the most populous of the metro area counties and home to the greatest number of businesses.
The unemployment rate in Richmond County is currently higher than the comparable rate for the
metropolitan area and the state of Georgia. Such factors as education levels, job skill levels, poverty
rates, and variations in overall economic conditions contribute to the unemployment rate.
Table E-12
Resident Labor Force, Annual Average, 2001
Augusta MSA and State of Georgia
Civilian Employed Unemployed . Percent
Labor Force . Unemployed
Geor~ia 4,131,569 3,966,348 165,221 4.0%
Au~usta MSA 207,079 197,361 9,718 4.7%
Richmond Co. 79,030 74,704 4,326 5.5%
Columbia Co. 44,362 43,256 1,106 2.5%
McDuffie Co. 9,687 9,021 666 6.9%
Aiken Co. 64, 620';""~: 61,390 3,230 .' 5.0%
Edgefield Co. 9,380 8,990 390 4.2%
Source: Georgia Department of Labor, Area Labor Prottles
Recent trends show that labor force and employment levels in Richmond County have been variable over
the last 10-12 years. The data in Table E-13 indicates that labor force and employment levels were
comparatively high in 1990, dropped by approximately 7%-8% by 1995, and recovered to some extent by
the year 2000.
The downturn in the mid-1990s is partly explained by the layoffs at the Savannah River Site and the
ripple effect it had on the metro area economy. During the ten-year period, Richmond County's
unemployment rate remained at or significantly above the state of Georgia unemployment rate. Recent
4-13
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
data indicate that Richmond county labor force and employment levels continue to trend upward, but have
yet to reach the levels recorded in 1990.
The chart below compares unemployment rates for Richmond County, Georgia and the United States
bet\veen 1990 and 2000. The data show that the local unemployment rate was consistently higher than the
rates for the state and nation. This disparity is partly a reflection of the fact that Richmond County did not
fully share in the nationwide economic expansion that took place during the 1990s.
Table E-13
Labor Force and Employment Trends, 1990 - 2000
Richmond Count)'
Year Labor Force Employment Unemployment % Unemployed
Richmond Co. Georgia
1990 85,649 80,910 4,739 5.5% 5.5%
1995 79,857 74,048 5,809 7.3% 4.9%
2000 80,429 75,761 4,668 5.8% 3.7%
Source: Georgia Depal1ment of Labor, Area Labor Profiles Employment by Place of
Residence.
Unemployment Rate Trends
10, 00% -...-.,....,..-...-....-.........,..--.---....--...-.'.....,.......,.,-....... . - .......-..--,.....--..-,-...--.,-......-..-.-.................,.......-,-..,..-.....-.-.......
i~~. ~
~.~~~ ~-----~~-=-----==-=~==-~~~-:--=-:.=~ --~- -~=:--~=~~-
3,00% .
2,00%
1,00% . ___._.____._ __.____._____.___.__...___._n________ __. ____ _.____________._..__u..____.._
0,00% .
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
~__________ _~_ __. _. _.___~,_______,_. ._.______ _ _ ._..______ ___~___.. _....__ _ _... ~_..______ ____._ _ ~__..._..n__~
,__~_____._.__...____. ---------.-.--.~..-------~u--:-.---l
i --+- Richrrond County .".1>>-- Georgia --6-- United States :
L_~...._ _. _,..._ _ _'" ...._u_ _.u.._....._.... ..__.__._._ .__ .._.J
4-14
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
4.3.2 Labor Force Participation
Table E-14 lists recent trends in labor force participation rates for Richmond County, Georgia and the
United States. The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the resident population 16 years and
over in the workforce. In 1990 the local labor force pm1icipation rate totaled 65.7% of persons 16 years
and older. This was slightly higher than the United States (65.3%) and lower than the Georgia rate
(67.9%). Similar trends were evident for both males and females in the labor force. Due to the presence
of Fort Gordon, the military labor force participation rate was significantly higher than in the state and
nation.
Table E-14
Labor Force Participation Rates, 1990 and 2000
Richmond County, Georgia, and the United States
1990 2000
Richmond Georgia U.S. Richmond Georgia U.S.
Total in Labor Force 65.7% 67.9% 65.3% 62.3% 66.1% 63.9%
Civilian Labor Force 59.2% 66.4% 64.4% 57.2% 65.0% 63.4%
Military Labor Force 6.5% 1.5% 0.9% 5.1% 1.1% 0.5%
Males in Labor Force ' 74.8% 76.6% 74.5% 68.2% 73.]% 70.7%
Females in Labor Force 57.3% 59.9% 56.8% 56.9% 59.4% 57.5%
Source: Census 1990, STF3, and Census 2000, SF3.
Labor force participation rates declined across the board between ] 990 and 2000. Significantly,
Richmond County labor force participation rates dropped more dramatically than the state and national
rates. Among the factors that contributed to, ,~J:1e decline are the aging of the population, outmigration of
the work-age population, higher unemploymenf rates, and higher rates of growth in other parts of Georgia.
4.3.3 Occupations
Information on employment by occupation indicates the mix of skill levels in a community's workforce.
This information is useful to companies interested in expanding or locating a new business in the
community. Skill levels also indicate the relative need for vocational training programs.
Tab]e E-15 shows the percentage of employment by occupation in Augusta; Richmond County, Georgia
and the United States. Locally management, professional and related occupations account for the greatest
percentage of jobs. This is followed by jobs in sales and office occupations and service occupations. The
, local occupation mix is similar tot he combination in the metropolitan area, the state and the nation. The
percentage of management and professional workers is slightly higher in the MSA, state and nation than
in Augusta.
4-15
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
Table E-15
Percent Employment by Occupation, 2000
Augusta, Richmond County, Augusta MSA, Georgia and the United States
Occupation Augusta Richmond Augusta Georgia United
County MSA States
Management, professional, and 30.7% 30.5% 32.4% 32.7% 33.6%
related occupations
Service occupations 18.5% ] 8.4% 15.5% 13.4% 14.9%
Sales and office occupations 25.4% 25.3% 24.2% 26.8% 26.7%
Farming, fishing, and forestry 0.2% 0.2% 0.5% 0.6% 0.7%
occupations
Construction, extraction, and 9.4% 9.7% 10.9% ]0.8% 9.4%
maintenance occupations
Production, transportation, and ]5.8% 16.0% ]6.6% ]5.7% ]4.6%
material moving occupations Source: Census 2000 Summary File 3 (SF 3) - Sample Data.
4.3.4 Commuting Patterns
Data on commuting patterns reinforce the fact that a majority of employed Richmond County residents
work within the county . Table E-] 6 shows that in 2000 eighty percent of employed residents worked
within the county. This is down slightly from 83% in 1990. The data indicate that about 9% of employed
residents commute to jobs in Columbia County and another 6% to workplaces in Aiken County, S.c. The
number of residents commuting to Columbia County increased during the decade, while the number going
to Aiken County declined. Some of the factors contributing to this trend included increasing retail and
service jobs in Columbia County and the loss of jobs at the Savannah River Site.
4-]6
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
Table E-16
Commuting Patterns, 1990 and 2000
Employed Residents of Richmond County
Place of Work 1990 2000
Number Percent Number Percent
Richmond County 72,793 83% 67~645 80%
Columbia County 4,014 5% 7,637 9%
Aiken County, SC 7,118 8% 5,051 6%
Other Locations 3,359 4% 4,516 5%
Total Reporting 87,284 84,849
Total Out Migration 14,491 16% 17,204 20%
Source: Census Bureau, Joumey-to- Work Data, 1990 and 2000
4.4 Recent Economic Activities and Trends
Augusta and Richmond County have experienced steady if not spectacular economic development and
growth in recent years. The local economy went through a period of readjustment during the mid-1990s
as downsizing took place at the Savannah River Site and managed care affected the health care industry.
Being a border community, Augusta is sometimes at a competitive disadvantage in industrial recruitment,
and lost out on more than one occasion to nearby communities in South Carolina. Examples of economic
development "lows" included the decision by Titleist, Inc. not to locate a manufacturing plant in the area
(1997), the decision by Hankook Synthetics, Inc. to delay indefinitely the construction of a polyester fiber
plant (1998), layoffs at Sibley Mill (1999), and the closing of Regency Mall (2000).
The 'local economy has adjusted to the changes in the markeT"and'continues to experience new irivestment
and the creation of new jobs. The box on the following page identifies the capital investment of new and
existing industry in Augusta and Richmond,County in recent years. The list is only part of the story.
Countless ,small businesses have been established or expanded, and new retail and office space continues
to be added to the market. The Augusta Exchange Shopping Center is the most visible addition to
Augusta's retail market. Located on 80 acres near the junction of 1-20 and 1-520, Augusta Exchange
contains over 800,000 square feet of retail space. Major anchors include Target, Circuit City, the Sports
Authority, Comp USA, and a Wirin Dixie Marketplace. The center has attracted additional commercial
development to other nearby sites.
In addition, Augusta's medical community continues to invest in new equipment and facilities. Both'
University Hospital and MCG have added new specialized facilities in recent years; Another trend is the
expansion of the call and service center industry. The Augusta area is now home to 12 call and/or service
centers employing a total of about 3,200 area residents. The presence of college students and military
spouses is one factor making the area attractive to such companies.
4-17
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
Recent Business Investment
Augusta-Richmond County
New Companies
. International Flavors and Fragrances (1996) $35.0 million
. Sitel (1999) $3 million
. Delta Airlines Reservation Center (1999) $3 million
. Standard Textile (2001) $4 million
. Civic Development Group (2002) $1 million
Expansion of Existing Companies
. Humana Hospital (1997) $14.0 million
. MCG Children's Medical Center (1998) $53.0 million
. Murray Biscuit (2000) $11 million (2002) $30 million
. Boral Bricks (2000) $10.2 million
. Garrett Aviation (2001) $1.4 million
. Tyco Healthcare / Kendall Co. (2002) $4 million
. PCS Nitrogen (2002) $14 million
. Solvay Advanced Polymers (2002) $13 million
. General Chemical (2002) $1 million
. Monsanto Co. (2002) $30 million
. Comcast (2001) $4 million
. Knology (2001) $1 million
Source: Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce.
The public and private sectors continue to work together to plan for the future of the area economy. The
JOBS NOW project is one example of this collaboration., In 2001, public and private sector
representatives formed the Augusta Community Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Committee to
implement the JOBS NOW project. Between fall 2001 and summer 2002, the CEDS ,Committee met
monthly to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the economy and outline a vision for future growth.
The committee then established goals, objectives and strategies to address the following issues:
community appearance, tourism, commercial air service, education, community awareness of local
development efforts, capacity-building, local programs for attracting jobs and investment, and attracting
4-18
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
new missions to Fort Gordon. Staff of the CSRA Regional Development Center facilitated the committee
meetings.
The JOBS NOW action plan was published in July 2002 and the project strategies are now being
implemented. The action plan identifies the agencies and organizations responsible for implementing
individual strategies. The CEDS Committee meets quarterly to review progress on implementation and to
revise str'ategies based on changing conditions. The JOBS NOW plan was jointly financed by the City of
Augusta, the Development Authority of Richmond County and the U. S. Depm1ment of Commerce.
At the same time, the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce is forming a new, independent organization
to attract new business to the area. Plans are being finalized for the creation of the Augusta Regional
Partnership; a 17-member board that will assume the economic development activities historically
handled by the chamber. Among other things, the Partnership will be responsible for marketing
Richmond, Columbia and Burke Counties to business and industry. The organization is modeled after the
Aiken-Edgetield (S.c.) Economic Development Pal1nership and will include representatives from the
public and private sectors.
4.5 Economic Development Resources
Economic development resources are vital to the expansion and retention of business in any community.
Augusta is fortunate to have a wide variety of such resources to draw upon in maintaining a climate
favorable to business and investment. This section summarizes the economic development agencies and
financing mechanisms av~ilable in the community.
4.5.1 Economic Development Agencies
· DeveJopment Authority of Richmond County - The Development Authority of Richmond County
is a nine-member board appointed by the Augusta Commission. The purpose of the Development
Authority is to develop and promote. trade, commerce, industry and employment opportunities in
Richmond County. Pursuant to the Georgia Development Authorities Law (O.c.G.A. 36-62-1 - 36-62-
14), the Development Authority has broad powers to finance and construct a wide variety of economic
devel~pment projects throughout the county. f"
. Downtown Development Authority. - The Downtown Development Authority of Augusta is a
seven-member board appointed. by the Augusta Commission. The purpose of the Downtown
Development Authority is to help finance the cost of rehabilitation and redevelopment of the Augusta.
Central Business District (CBD). Pursuant to the Georgia Downtown Development Authorities Law
(O.C.G.A. 36-42-1 - 36-42-16), the' Downtown Development Authority has broad powers to finance
and constr~ct a wide variety of projects in the CBD. The CBD includes the area extending from the
west side of Fifteenth 'Street through the west s'ide of East Boundary, and from the Savannah River
through the south side of Laney Walker Boulevard.
· Augusta. Metro Cham ber of Commerce - The mission of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce
is to enhance the economic prosperity of Richmond, Columbia and Burke counties by promoting the
location, development and expansion of new and existing businesses. The Chamber is a non-profit
organization funded by the voluntary dues of the members. The Chamber offers opportunities for
4-19
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
involvement by small and large businesses through committees, roundtables and special activities.
The Small Business Development Council, Women in Business Committee, Economic Development
Council, Existing Industry Committee, and Military Affairs Committee are but a few of the programs
and services ofTered by the Chamber. Each spring during the Masters@ Golf Tournament the Chamber
hosts the Red Carpet Tour, a special event to market the Augusta area as a business location for new
and existing companies.
. Augusta Housing and Neighborhood Development Department - The Housing and Neighborhood
Development Department is the city agency that administers the Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership and Emergency Shelter Grant programs. The
department administers financing programs including the Economic Development Loan Program,
Recaptured UDAG Loan Program, Fac;ade Rehabilitation Grant Program, and Mayor's Business
Investment Grant Program.
. Augusta Technical College - Augusta Technical College provides education and training in all types
of businesses, ranging from certificate programs to associate degrees. It also has certificates in several
specialist areas including manufacturing, customer service, construction, and distribution. Augusta
Tech also coordinates the Georgia Quick-Start Program, a state initiative that trains employees free of
charge for new and expanding businesses.
. The Center for Advanced Technology (CADTEC) - This program was established by Augusta
Technical College to help CSRA manufacturers compete in the world market through technology
transfer. CADTEC provides high quality, accessible and affordable workforce training, technology
transfer and criterion-referenced assessments to area businesses, individuals and organizations.
CADTEC helps its customers identifY their needs and establish the specific training to meet those
needs.
. Mayor's Film Office - The goal of the Mayor's Film Office is to attract the film and video industries
to Augusta by providing aid and assistance to filmmakers. Services provided by the Film Office
include a photographic library, location scouting, pre-production logistical support, production
assistance, and liaison with city and state governments.
. Mayor's Business Action Team - A network of people, organizations and programs that provide
assistance and services to large and small businesses. The City of Augusta "Services to Business"
publication lists contacts for the various business service and development programs. The "Services to
Business" publication is available in print and on the Mayor's Office website at
http://augusta/departments/mayors _ office/conducting_ business.htm
. Augusta-Richmond County Small Business Incubator - This facility is located at 3140 Augusta
Tech Drive adjacent to the Augusta Technical College campus. The building has a total of 18,000
square feet and includes office space for nineteen clients, manufacturing space, administrative offices,
conference room, work/copy room and break room. The mission of the Small Business Incubator is to
foster regional economic development by supporting entrepreneurs, small/disadvantaged businesses,
and businesses expanding to the CSRA area by providing managerial & technical assistance, low
office rental rates, and shared access to basic office services and equipment. These services are
designed to allow clients to minimize the initial high costs associated with setting up the necessary
4-20
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
facilities, equipment ad services for a business environment. A Small Business Advisory Board,
consisting of area business leaders, monitors clients' performance, progress and continued need for
incubator assistance.
. CSRA Business League - The CSRA Business League is a non-profit advocacy organization that is
governed by a Board of Directors comprised of local leaders from the business and corporate
communities. The League represents a cross section of racial, social, economic, civic and professional
groups networking and exchanging information and resources to improve the economic development
, of the entire community. The League assists \vith business plans, loan packaging, management
assistance, technical assistance, grant writing, and marketing. League stafl also helps with advertising,
procurement, reference materials, and technical support (Internet, copying, faxing).
. CSRA Regional Deyelopment Center - The CSRA RDC is,a public sector, non-profit planning and
development agency serving a 14-county and 46-city region in the eastern portion of central Georgia.
Augusta-Richmond County is a member of the ,CSRA RDC. The ROC's Depm1ment of Economic
Development assists local governments and development organizations through grant writing 'and
administration, strategic planning, and other technical assistance. In addition, the Economic
Development Department acts as Secretary and Treasurer for the CSRA Uni1ied Development
Council (UDC), a council of Chambers of Commerce, and the Unified Development Authority
, (UDA), ajoint development authority.
The CSRA Development Companies are units of the ROC that provide loans to small businesses for a
variety of purposes. The Development Companies have operating relationships with the Small
Business Administration (SBA), the Economic Development Administration (EDA), and the
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
.
CSRA Unified Deyelopment Council - The Unified Development Council (UDC) is a council of the
Chambers of Commerce and other economic development organizations throughout the CSRA. The
primary purpose of the UDC is to offer a forum of discussion and problem-solving for economic
development' professionals throughout the CSRA, who jointly pursue economic marketing,
professional training and enrichment, and other special projects. The UDC has been in exist~nce since
1983, and currently has fourteen (14) dues-payin;g member counties: Burke, C6lumbia, Glascock,
Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDufiie, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Warren,
Washington, and Wilkes.
. ~"....~:~.
· CSRA Unified Deyelopment Authority - The Unified Development Authority is a joint development
authority encompassing,13 CSRA counties, including Augusta-Richmond County. The CSRA UDA
serves to promote the economic development of the Central Savannah River Area, to encourage
, cooperation among economic development organizations within the meri1ber counties, and to exercise
all the powers and privileges (including tax credits) granted to development authorities pursuant to
Georgia law. The CSRA RDC acts as Secretary and Treasurer of the CSRA UDA.
· Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Touris'm- The Georgia Department of Industry,
Trade, and Tourism (GDITT) recruits businesses, trade partners, and tourists to Georgia. Working in
collaboration with other state and federal programs, GDITT maintains a worldwide marketing effort
targeting more than 15,000 companies with the potential to expand or relocate in Georgia. GDITT
4-21
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
also supports the efforts of Georgia companies to expand their international markets. These efforts
include helping small businesses participate in trade shows, providing contacts and consultants in
international markets, and supplying extensive training resources.
. Georgia Power Company, Community and Economic Deyelopment Diyision - Georgia Power
Company operates a full-service Community and Economic Development organization serving the
entire state of Georgia. The division is a comprehensive, one-stop source for business and industrial
location services. The Atlanta headquarters features the Georgia Resource Center, a state-of-the-art
site selection facility that allows potential investors to see Georgia without traversing the entire state.
The division also helps Georgia communities build their economic development attractiveness by
offering leadership, strategy, infrastructure, and marketing consultation services.
. Georgia Tech Economic Deyelopment Institute - Augusta is home to one of 17 regional offices of
Georgia Tech's Economic Development Institute (EDI). EDl offers an array of services with a
common objective: to promote the growth of business in Georgia. Whether the goal is attracting new
companies to Georgia, expanding existing enterprises, providing technical expertise for industrial
projects or helping communities' plan for grow1h, EDI helps keep the state's economy moving
forward. EDl assists company managers and business owners, city and county government officials
and economic development professionals.
For Georgia business and industry, EDI provides technical assistance, management training and other
assistance designed to improve productivity and help companies become more competitive in world
markets. EDI supports Georgia's economic development eflorts by conducting specialized
professional development courses, performing economic development research, helping Georgia
communities prepare for grmvth and connecting relocating or expanding companies with resources at
Georgia Tech.
. UGA Small Business Deyelopment Center - Augusta is home to one of 19 ofiices of the University
of Georgia's Business Outreach Services/Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The mission
of the BOS/SBDC is to enhance the economic well being of Georgia citizens by providing business
and economic d~velopment assistance. Among the services provided by the organization are
consulting and educational opportunities, economic research, identifying procurement opportunities
and sources of capital for minority entrepreneurs, and helping existing businesses take advantage of
state and local incentives for job creation.
. Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Regional Office # 7 - Augusta is home to one of 12
Regional Service Delivery ofiices established by state law 1999. The regional office in Augusta is
staffed by representatives from the Depm1mentof Community Affairs (DCA) and the Department of
Industry, Trade, and Tourism (DITT), and is designed to bring state resources closer to the people and
to foster regional collaboration in comrnunity and economic development. Personnel in the Augusta
office work side-by-side with staff of Georgia Tech's EDI and the University of Georgia. Together the
regional staff works to better serve the needs of local governments established businesses, and other
development partners. A 21 ~member Regional Advisory Councils provides regular guidance to
regional and state staff on issues such as leadership, infrastructure, growth management, and
workforce development. The Council also works with the CSRA Regional Development Centers to
formulate a regional comprehensive plan and work program.
4-'22
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
4.5.2 Financing Mechanisms
. U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan Programs - Includes the following loan
programs - SBA 504, SBA 7(a) andSBA Low-Doc. SBA 504 can be used for fixed assets, such as
land, buildings, machinery and fixtures. SBA 7(a) and Low-Doc can be used for most purposes,
including inventory, working capital, vehicles and business acquisitions. Regionally, the CSRA
Development Companies administers the SBA 504 program. A bank is the lender on the 7(a) and
Low-Doc programs, with the SBA guaranteeing the loans.
. CSRA Reyolying Loan Fund - An internal- revolving loan fund of the CSRA Development
Companies. Loans up to $150,000 available for most purposes. CSRA Development Companies
prefers that revolving loan fund only part of project costs.
"
. Industrial Reyenuc Bonds - Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs) are financing instruments issued
through the Development Authority of Richmond County, Georgia. Both taxable and tax-exempt
industrial revenue bond financing is available at competitive, below-prime interest rates. lRBs provide
financing for land, building and equipment acquisition for new and expanding manufacturing plants.
. Link Deposit Program - The Link Deposit Program is designed to provide eligible small, minority
and women-owned businesses additional sources of loan funds. Program administered by the Augusta
I-Iuman Resources Department in cooperation with two banks.
. Economic Development and Reeapturcd UDAG Loan Fund Programs - The Economic
Development and Recaptured UDAG Loan Fund Programs were created to finance development
projects, establish new businesses and/or expansion of existing businesses, and create employment
opportunities and/or retain existing jobs for low and moderate-income persons. Economic
Development Loans range between $5,000 and $25,000, with repayment periods of up to 7 years.
RecapturedUDAG Loans - Loans are between $25,000 and $150,000, with repayment period of up to
10 years. Examples of eligible use of funds include business acquisition and construction, land
acquisition, purchase of equipment and machinery, working capital, and, pollution control and
abatefuent. The Housing and Neighborhood Development Depa-rtment administers the programs:''''
. Enterprise Zone Program - Two enterprise zones'have been established in the city of Augusta under
provisions of the Georgia Enterprise Zone Employment Act of 1997. The Act allows the city to offer
tax and other, incentives to eligible businesses that create jobs areas within the city suffering from
underdevelopment and economic decline. QualifYing businesses and service enterprises are exempt
from state, county, and municipal ad valorein taxes, except for the portion of taxes that are collected
tor the school district, in accordance with the following schedule:
1. 100% of the 'property taxes shall be exempt for the first five years
2. 80% of the property taxes shall be exempt for the next two years
3. 60% of the property taxes shall be exempt tor the next year
4. 40% of the property taxes shall be exempt for the next year
5. 20% of the property taxes shall be exempt for the last year
4-23
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
The two designated enterprise zones are the Laney-Walker Enterprise Zone near downtown, and the
Rocky Creek Enterprise Zone centered on the area around Regency Mall. The I-lousing and
Neighborhood Development Department administers the program.
. Mayor's Business Inyestment Grant - This program provides a $2,500 reil1?bursable grant for start-
up costs of eligible new businesses locating in the Laney Walker Enterprise Zone. Eligible businesses
must be a community-serving retail or service business, provide stimulation to blighted areas, and
comply with city regulations. The owner must complete a business development-training program.
The Housin'g and Neighborhood Development Department administers the program.
. Georgia's Business Expansion and Support Act of 1994 (RE.S.T.) allows statewide job tax credit
and investment tax credits for businesses locating or expanding in Georgia.
I. .Job Tax Credit: Tax liability for anyone-year may be reduced by a maximum of 100%. Eligible
businesses include those involved in manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, processing,
tourism and research and development. This credit may be carried forward up to ten years.
Tier County
I Burke
2 Richmond
3 Counties
4 Columbia
.Jobs Created
5
10
15
)-
-)
Tax Credit
$3,500
$2,500
$1,250
$750
% Tax Liability
100
100
50
50
2. Job Tax Credit Joint Development Authorities: Legislation provides for an additional $500 job
tax credit for counties that are members of a Joint Development Authority, which is the case for
Columbia, Richmond and Burke counties.
3. Inyestment Tax Credit: Available to manufacturers or telecommunications companies having a
presence in Georgia for at least 5 years. The company must spend at least $50,000 on an
expansion project.
Tier County
0/0 Inyestment
Credit
5
3
1
1
(Yo Recycling, Pollution
Control & Defense
Conversion Actiyities
8
5
3
3
1 Burke
2 Richmond
3 Counties
4 Columbia
4. Optional Investment Credit: Larger credits can, depending on location, offset up to 90% of a
manufacturer's increased income tax liability following a major expansion. These larger
investment tax credits can be carried forward for 10 years but may not be taken in conjunction
with the job or investment tax credits.
4-24
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
Tier County
I Burke
2 Richmond
3 Counties
4 Columbia
Minimum Investment (mill)
$5
$10
$20
$20
Tax Credit %
10%
8%
6%
6%
5. Retraining Tax Credit: Firms providing retraining for employees may receive a tax credit of
25% of their costs, up to $500 per pm1icipant, to a maximum of 50% of state income tax liability.
6. Corporate Headquarters Tax Credit: Companies establishing or relocating their headquarters to
Georgia may be eligible for a tax credit if the headquarters is defined as the principal central
administrative offices of a company. New jobs created at the new headquarters must be full-time
and must pay above the average wage.
Tier County
1 Burke
2 Richmond
3 Counties
4 Columbia
Minimum Investment (mill)
Tax Credit (X)
105%
110%
115%
115%
7. Ports Job Tax Credit: Companies that increase traffic shipped through Georgia pOlis by 10% or
more in a year may be eligible for larger job tax credits. The amount of the bonus tax credit for
qualifying firms is $1,250 per job. Applicants must also be eligible for job tax credits under the
B.E.S.T. legislation
8. Research an.<J Deyelopment Tax Credit: A tax credit is allowed for expenses of research ,~~
conducted within Georgia for any business or headquarters of any such business engaged in
manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, processing, teleconmmnications, tourism and
research and development industries.
9. Child Care Credit: Employers providing or sponsoring child care for employees are eligible for a
tax credit of 75% of their costs, up to 50% of state income tax liability.
10. Small Company Business Growth Tax Credit: A tax credit is granted for any business or
headquaI1erS of any such business engaged in manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution,
processing, telecommunications, tourism, and .research and development industries having a state
net taxable income which is 20% or more above that of the preceding year if its net taxable income
in each of the two preceding years was also 20% or more.
4-25
Chapter 4 - Economic Development
11. Sales Tax Exemptions:
· Manufacturing Machinery
· Raw materials
· Purchase for resale
· Machinery purchased new and used directly in the manufacturing process
· Pollution control equipment
· Machinery components
· Computer equipment
· Cleanroom equipment
· Primary material handling
· Electricity
. One Georgia Fund: The One Georgia Authority will channel one third of the state's tobacco
settlement to economic development projects for Tier 1 and 2, counties and, in certain instances, Tier 3
counties. Flexible assistance will be provided in the fonl1 of loans and grants to support local and
regional economic development strategies. While the authority will support traditional economic
development projects, it will also support innovative solutions to local and regional challenges.
1. Edge Fund - Special1inancial assistance is provided to eligible applicants in Tier 1 and 2 counties
for locating economic development projects. Limited resources are available for communities
when a project is considering one site in the State of Georgia and competing against another state.
Response to applications is quick due to the sensitive nature of projects and their tight timeframes.
Eligible applicants are city or county governments, development authorities or other public
entities.
2. Equity Fund - The purpose of this fund is to provide a program of financial assistance that
includes grants or loans and any other form of fInancial assistance to provide for infrastructure,
services, facilities and improvements. Eligible applicants are cities, counties, development
authorities or other public entities. Resources are limited and are awarded several times each year.
Companies must have a health care plan available for employees and meet state requirements for
better pay.
4.6 Summary of Economic Deyelopment Needs
Augusta is the economic hub of a market area that extends beyond the metropolitan area to include a
number of the adjoining rural counties. The city is projected to remain the regional center of employment
and trade in the foreseeable future. However, as the information in this chapter and other reports indicate,
the community has several economic development needs to address as time goes by. These needs include:
. Additional diversification of the economic and employment base
. Offer additional incentives to attract new business and industry
. Increase wage levels in all sectors currently below the state average
. Increase household and per capita income levels in relation to state and national averages
. Decrease the unemployment rate in relation to state and national averages
. Work to retain and expand existing business and industry
4-26
>
~
s:::
en
~
:;0
_.
()
::r'
g
:::s
0-
n
o
s:::
:::s
~
~
I ! H!
~ l ,.1
, : f r.J
I' f' :il
.:. fo! Ir! i
;j ft ~1!
.it .1 ~ff
JI ;( lj! i
~f " ,.r I
r:!itrr~
l. .....
". .' r~ r
H U iir f
..... I" ,.:-
i! ~;11H
Ii ,. 1:1
1'. ~ I ! l'!
. .' r
f ~ ~ .
! i Hi
f i H
!='
I'\.)
:E ~(!).*
wtz m
cns:cnG) 3
~
CQ)CO -
trl ~:::J<~ ~
("') C _.co 3
coO)'("')-' ct)
co :::J
s:$l--.3 ::J
,...
-. ~ ;0 co 0
:::J.-.co :::J 0
:::J:::J,...."'" ::J
ccccQ) n
-. ct)
-
:1
,...
Ql
,...
-.
0
::s
tn
--
!='
I'\.)
!='
~
~
CD
CJl
OJ
t:
.,
~
CD
(")
o
t:
~
~
(")
o
-
c:
3
c-
li)"
(")
o
c:
~
~
-)>
-.
~
CD
~
n
o
t:
::s
~
en
(")
Chapter 5 - Transportation
5. Introduction
Transportation facilities have had a profound e1Tect on the development of Augusta and
Richmond County. From pre-colonial times to the present trails, road, railroads,
waterways, and air service have all influenced the timing, location and extent of
development in the community.
This chapter includes an inventory and assessment of transportation faci I ities and services
in Augusta and Richmond County. Transportation facilities include roads, sidewalks, .
bikeways, airports and railroad lines. Transportation services include the public transit
system.
5.1 Roadway Network
A street network that includes two interstate highways, four federal highways, ten state
routes, and numerous local roads serves Augusta-Richmond County. Streets have
varying functions, so the street network is generally divided into four categories:
freeways, arterials, collectors and local streets. Design standards vary from one
functional class to another. For example, an arterial road has more travel lanes, a higher
operating speed, and fewer curb cuts than a local street. The basic characteristics of the
functional classification system are outlined below.
Functional classification is not static. As roads have been widened or extended, their
functional classification has been changed to reflect their new role. Examples of roads
that have been widened or extended in the last 10-15 years include Wheeler Road, Deans
Bridge Road, Gordon Highway; and Windsor Spring Road. New construction has
resulted in the addition of the Jimmie Dyess Parkway and River Watch Parkway to the
list of arterial roads. Planned road widening projects such as on Windsor Spring Road
south of Tobacco Road will result in other changes to the system. In anticipation of this
change, it is desirable to coordinate right-of-way acquisition, land-use planning, access
and zoning activities with ,this change in mind.
5.1.1 Interstates, Freeways and Expressways
Freeways are limited access, multi-lane, divided roadways carrying high-speed traffic.
Two freeways - Interstate 20 and Interstate 520, serve Richmond County. I-20 crosses
the northwest corner of the county and connects Augusta to Columbia, South Carolina
and Atlanta. Interchanges are located at River Watch parkway, Washington Road, 1-520,
and Wheeler Road. The River Watch Parkway interchange opened in 1993 and the
Wheeler Road interchange opened in 1998. Other I-20 interchanges are located in
Columbia and Aiken (S.c.) Counties and connect to other parts of the metropolitan area.
Interstate 520 (a.k.a. the Bobby Jones Expressway) is a circumferential route extending
from 1-20 to Laney-Walker Blvd. Interchanges are located at 1-20, Wheeler Road,
Wrightsboro Road, Gordon Highway, Deans Bridge Road, Windsor Spring/Peach
Orchard Rd., Mike Padgett Hwy. (SR56), Doug Barnard Pkwy., (SR 56 Loop), and
5-1
Chapter 5 - Transp0l1ation
Laney Walker Blvd. The section between Doug Barnard Parkway and Laney-Walker
Blvd. opened to traffic in July 1998. The section of the Bobby Jones between 1-20 and
Gordon Highway was widened from four to six lanes in 2001. A 0.89-mile extension of
Bobby Jones, from Laney Walker Blvd. to the Savamiah River, is currently under
construction. A companion bridge project over the river is also under construction.
River Watch Parkway (SR 104) is a four-lane, divided, controlled access facility that
currently extends from 151h Street near down Augusta to Pleasant Home Road near the
Columbia County line. The first phase of River Watch, between 15th St. and 1-20, opened
to traffic in 1991. The second phase, from I-20 to Pleasant Home Road was completed in
1993. A third phase, extending the parkway .57 miles to the Baston Road intersection, is
currently under construction. River Watch Parkway was built to relieve congestion on
Washington Road and caHies a good deal of commuter traflic to and from west Augusta
and Columbia County.
The John C. Calhoun Expressway is a four-lane, divided limited access road that links
Washington Road to Greene Street in downtown Augusta. Built in the mid-1970s as an
alternative route to and from downtown, the Calhoun Expressway includes a half-
diamond interchange with 151h Street and a split-diamond interchange with Eve Street
and Crawford A venue. When first constructed the expressway extended from
Washington Road to 15th Street. In 1984 the elevated part of the expressway, between
15th and Greene Streets, was opened to traffic.
5.1.2 Arterials
Arterial roads are designed to move large volumes of traffic through and across an urban
area, and collect and distribute traffic to and from smaller streets. Several arterials, such
as Washington Road, Wheeler Road, Wrightsboro Road, Deans Bridge Road and Peach
Orchard Road, have interchanges with I-20 and 1-520. Other arterials, such as 13th Street,
Sand Bar Ferry Road, and Gordon Highway, provide connections across the Savannah
River into Aiken County.
The Federal Highway Administration's Highway Functional Classification System splits
arterial roads into two subgroups: major and minor arterials. Major arterials, also known
as principal arterials, move larger volumes of traffic over long distances at high speeds.
In Richmond County there are 18 roads or road segments classified as major or principal
arterials. Examples include Washington Road, Jimmie Dyess Parkway, Gordon
Highway, Peach Orchard Road, Mike Padgett Highway, Doug Barnard Parkway and
Tobacco Road.
Minor arterials serve trips of moderate length at lower speeds than major arterials.
Traffic volumes are lower and cross streets and driveways are spaced closer together than
on major arterials. There are 38 road segments classified as minor arterials in the county.
They are scattered throughout the community and include Broad St., Laney-Walker
Blvd., Berckmans Rd., Richmond Hill Rd., and Old Waynesboro Road.
5-2
Chapter 5 - Transportation
5.1.3 Collectors
The primary function of collector roads is to move traffic from local streets to at1erials
and free\vays. Collectors also provide access to some traffic generator, such as shopping
centers, schools, and recreation facilities. Traffic volumes and speeds tend to be lower
than on the arterials. Under FHW A's Functional Classification System there are currently
53 roads or road segments in Richmond County classified as collectors. Examples
include East Boundary, James Brown Blvd., Rozier Rd., Willis Foreman Rd., Golden
Camp Rd., and Alexander Drive.
5.1.4 Local Roads
The primary function of local roads is to provide access to adjoining property for both
vehicles and pedestrians. Generally, local roads are 2-lane facilities on a 50-60-foot
right-of-way that carry low traffic volumes and have frequent curb cuts. All roads not
classified as collectors, arterials or freeways are considered local roads. In Richmond
County there are over 1,000 miles of local roads.
5.2 Rail Transportation
Passenger rail service is not available in Augusta at the present time. In 1999 the Georgia
Transportation Board approved a long-range plan to provide inter-city passenger rail
service between Atlanta and other major cities in the State.
Freight service is provided by two railroads: Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation,
Inc. The N,orfolk Southern main line track enters the City from the north, crossing the
Savannah River and then continuing through downtown on the right-of-way of Sixth
Street. The main line continues in a southeasterly direction through the rest of the City
and on toward Savannah. Norfolk Southern has two railroad yards in the City: one (the
main classification yard) is approximately a mile south of downtown and a second
(Nixon Yard) is south of Augusta Reg~??_lal Airport near International Paper Company.
. .t~.."
The CSX main line crosses Augusta in a roughly east-west direction. This line provides
connections to Spartanburg, S.C. and Savannah, GA. A second CSX line, formerly
'owned by the Georgia Railroad, connects to-Atlanta. Beltline service is provided to a
number of industries. The CSX main railroad yard is located off Laney-Walker Blvd.
southeast of downtown. The yard covers approximately 117 acres and consists of an
inbound receiving yard and an outbound classification yard. A second yard, the
Harrisonville Yard, is located on 48 acres between Wrightsboro Road and Olive Road.
At-grade railroad crossings are located on many roads in the city. The crossings have
been a part of community life for many years, and solutions have been sought to reduce
the inevitable conflicts between railroad, motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic. At the
same time, availability of rail service is a major attraction for new industry and
maintaining existing industry.
5.::3
Chapter 5 - TranSp0l1ation
5.3 Air Transportation
There are two airports in Augusta: Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field and Daniel
Field. Augusta Regional Airport is a 1,500-acre commercial airport located at the
intersection of Tobacco Road and Doug Barnard Parkway (SR 56 Spur). Major facilities
include an 8,000-foot primary runway, a 6,000-foot crosswind runway, a tern1inal, an air
trat1ic control tower, a facilities maintenance office, and a weather service station. Three
commercial carriers serve Augusta Regional: Atlantic Southeast Airlines, US Airways
Express and Continental Express. Atlantic Southeast provides service to Atlanta's
Hartsfield International, \Nhile US Airways Express Hies to Charlotte International.
Continental Express, which began serving the Augusta market in March 2003, has flights
to Houston and Newark. Augusta Regional Airport is operated under the direction of the
13-member Augusta Aviation Commission.
Daniel Field, located on a 152-acre site at the intersection of Wrightsboro Road and
Highland A venue, is a general aviation airport. Major facilities include two runways, two
hangars, outdoor tie-down areas, and a control tower. Daniel Field was once the
commercial airport for Augusta. Charter flights, flight training, airplane storage, and fuel
and maintenance services are provided. Daniel field is active year-round, but is.
especially busy in early April during the Masters @ Golf Tournament. The airport is
operated under the direction of the 13-member General Aviation Commission.
5.4 Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities
Bicycle and pedestrian facilities are important alternative modes of transportation in any
community. Bicyclists use the road network on a regular basis, but currently there are no
designated bike lanes, routes or bikeways in the county. Off-road facilities. used by
cyclists include the Augusta Canal towpath and the Savannah River levee. A fairly
extensive network of sidewalks is present with the "old" city limits, but there are very
few in the neighborhood and commercial centers of the former county. Sidewalks are
located along some sections of the arterial and collector roads, but do not form a network
that pedestrians can utilize. Sidewalks also are located adjacent to many of the public
schools. Off-road facilities used by walkers and joggers include the Augusta Canal
towpath, Savannah River levee, and paved trails at some county recreation centers.
Where sidewalks are not present, especially on local or neighborhood streets, pedestrians
simply walk in the road.
5.5 Public Transportation
Augusta Public Transit (APT) currently operates 12 fixed routes within the city with a
peak fleet of 17 buses. The system is primarily radial with 10 routes terminating at the
Transfer Facility at 1546 Broad Street. The remaining two routes, Barton Chapel and
Lumpkin Road, terminate at a transfer point at Regency Mall, southwest of downtown.
Service frequency and schedules vary, but generally APT buses run from about 6:00 a.m.
until 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Ten of the routes operate on Saturday. No
service is provided on Sunday.
5-4
Chapter 5 - Transportation
APT also operates paratransit services for disabled persons, in compliance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. In accordance with guidelines issued by the
Federal Transit Administration (FTA), APT provides paratransit service within 3/4 mile
of each fixed route during the same operating hours as the local service. Paratransit
service is available only to certified eligible passengers. Currently, APT has 27 motor
buses and five paratransit vehicles available for maximum service.
APT operates 10 of its routes from a Transfer facility at 1546 Broad Street, just west of
downtown Augusta. Opened in 1991, the Transfer Facility includes a large indoor
waiting area with benches, an information desk, restroollls, water fountains, a soft-drink
vending machine, and a work area for APT staff. Covered breezeways flank either side
of the building,. and eight, sawtooth parking bays provide. space for the loading and
unloading of bus riders. There are also parking spaces for 20 vehicles.
APT's offices and maintenance garage are housed in a facility located at 1535 Fenwick
Street, about four blocks from the Transfer Facility. There are six maintenance bays and
a detached building for vehicle cleaning at the garage. APT administrative and
operations staff is housed in a 5,000 square foot building erected in 1993 as part of a
renovation project. The property includes parking spaces for b~ses, paratransit vans, and
staff and' visitor vehicles. During the spring of 2002, the vehicle parking, area was
expanded to accommodate the paratransit vehicles.
The Barton Chapel and Lumpkin Road routes terminate at a transfer center at Regency
Mall located about five miles southwest of downtown. The transfer center is a dedicated
area on the outskilis of the mall property and consists of a sheltered waiting area for
passengers. Bus shelters are located along all of the fixed routes. In addition to benches,
the. shelters feature space for advertising,. trash receptacles and soft drink vending
machines. In the fall of 2003, the transfer center was relocated from Regency Mall to the
K-Mart Shopping Center on the. opposite ,side of Gordon Highway.
5.6 Roadway Use and Conditions
This section summarizes the travel characteristics of city residents and the existing
conditions of the road system. Road and bridge improvements are important to the
community's future because they influence land use, economic development, and the
quality of life.
5.6.1. Trayel Characteristics
Sample data tabulated as part of the 2000 Census reveals some information about the
travel characteristics of Richmond County households. Of the 73,920. households,
approximately 88% have at least one vehicle (car, truck) available for, use. The
remaining 8;969 (12%) households had no vehicle available for use. These figures are
not much different from 1990, when 87%' of the households had at least one vehicle
available for use by members of the household.
5.::5
Chapter 5 - Transportation
Data on means of transportation to work indicates a strong preference for Richmond
County residents to commute by themselves (see Table T-1). More than 75% of workers
drive to work alone. Another 15% carpool to work. Five percent walk to work and
approximately one- percent use public transportation. The local bus system is the
predominant public transportation mode in Augusta and Richmond County. Overall, the
means of transportation to work remains similar to what it was in 1990. At that time,
approximately 73% of workers drove alone, 16% carpooled, and 6% walked to work.
The number of people working at home rose slightly from an estimated 1,156 in 1990 to
1,183 in 2000.
Households by Vehicles Available
Richmond County, 2000
t/) 30,000
"C
0 25,000
J:
Q)
t/) 20,000
::::I
0
:I: 15,000
-
0 8,969
... 10,000
Q)
.0
E 5,000
::::I
Z 0
0
29,201
1
24,993
8,120
1,992
___,____1';,,-1
4
645
. __ c=:=:::I
5+
2
3
Vehicles Available
Table T-1
Means of Transportation to Work
Richmond County, 2000
Means of Transportation to Work Number of Workers* Percent of Workers
Drove alone 64,885 76%
Carpooled 12,415 15%
Public transportation: 1,126 1%
Bicycle 185 0%
Walked 4,204 5%
Worked at home 1,183 1%
Other means 851 ]%
Total 84,849 100%
* Richmond County Residents
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000, Sample Data
5-6
Chapter 5 - TranSpOliation
Travel time data indicate that the overwhelming majority of Richmond County residents
commute less than 30 minutes to work. The following chart shows that 77% of workers
commute less than 30 minutes and another 15% travel from 30-44 minutes each way to
work. Only 8% of residents have commutes exceeding 45 minutes.
TravelTime to Work,2000
100%
III
...
<II 80%
-
:J
E
E 60%
0
u
- 40%
0
-
t:
<II
u 20%
...
CI)
a..
0%
77%
15%
4% 4%
~_~,____''''''"N''~''_--,-_,_,_, I,'''''' _...., ~
Les s than 30 to 44
30 minutes minutes
45 to 59 60 or more
minutes minutes
5.6.2 Street and Highway S~'stem
Conditions on the county's street and highway system were measured using the Level-of-
service (LOS) outputs from the Augusta Regional Transportation Study's (ARTS) travel
demand model. The ARTS travel demand model is a traditional four-step mathematical
process involving trip generation, trip distribution, mode choice, and traffic assignment.
Inputs to the model include data on existing conditions and projections of population,
occupied housing units, employment, school enrollment and vehicles. Outputs include
LOS calculations for road segments on the transportation network.
LOS standards for a road segment are based on the ratio of the daily traffic volume to the
segment's daily capacity. This'voltime-to-capacity ratio is an indication of the amount of
delay a driver would encounter on the road segment. This level of serVice is based upon
travel delay and is expressed as letters "A" through "F", with "A" being the highest or
best travel condition and "F" being the lowest or worst condition. Table T ~2 shows the
LOS standards and the corresponding volume-to-capacity ratios and average speeds for
urban m1erial roads.
5~7
Chapter 5 - Transportation
Table T-2
Level-of-Service Standards for Urban Arterials
Level-of- V olume-to-Capacity Ratio A yerage Trayel Speed
Service
A . <0.50 . >= 35 MPH
B 0.50 - 0.60 >= 28 MPH
C 0.60 - 0.75 >= 22 MPH
D 0.75 - 0.90 >= 17 MPH
E 0.90 - 1.00 >= 13 MPH
F >= 1. 00 < 13 MPH
Source: Transportation Research Board, Highway Capacity Manual
The minimum level-of-service (LOS) designation that Augusta considers acceptable, in
terms of planning for adequate capacity, is LOS "C". At LOS "C", the volume-to-
capacity ratio is in the 0.60 to 0.75 range and average peak hour travel speeds on urban
arterials are in the 22-28 miles-per-hour range. This LOS does not apply to rural arterial
and collector streets.
Some of the notable street and highway system segments where the LOS is currently
below "C" are listed in Table T-3. Not surprisingly, most are located in the urbanized
part of the county. They include pm1s of the major arterial and collector roads that carry
some of the highest volumes of trafTic.
Another measure of the condition and efficiency of the street and highway system is
travel time delay based on fieldwork. Since 1995 the staff of the ARTS has conducted
annual travel time surveys on major arterials in the study area, including those located in
the urbanized part of Richmond County. Travel runs are conducted during AM. and
P.M. peaks on each road corridor or segment. The average speed of each run is derived
from the time it takes to complete the run, and is then compared to the posted speed limit
for the road segment. The deviation of the average speed from the posted speed is a
measure of congestion. The performance measures adopted by ARTS range from "Not
Presently Congested", meaning that the average speed is equal to or above the posted
speed limit, to "Seriously Congested", which are road segments on which the average
speed is more than 30% below the posted speed limit. Table T-4 summarizes the CMS
performance measures.
5-8
Chapter 5 - Transp0l1ation
Table T-3
Sample Capacity-Deficient Road Segments
Augusta-Richmond County, GA
Functional Road Name Segment
Classification
Interstate Bobby Jones Expressway Gordon Hwy. - Deans Bridge
(1-520) Rd.
Washington Road (SR 28) Pleasant Home Rd. - Calhoun
Principal Arterials Exwy.
Wrightsboro Rd. Barton Chapel Rd. - Jimmie
Dyess Pkwy.
Deans Bridge Rd. (US I, SR 4) Lumpkin Rd. - Tobacco
Rd./Gate 5
Mike Padgett Hwy. (SR 56) 1-520 - Marvin Griffin Rd.
Fifteenth St. (SR 4) Government St. - MLK, Jr.
Blvd.
Principal Arterial / Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd. Twiggs St. - Tubman I-Iome
Minor Arterial /Olive Rd. Rd.
Walton Way Extension Pleasant Home Rd. - Jackson
Minor Arterials Rd.
Old Waynesboro Rd. Mike Padgett Hwy. - Engle Rd.
Collector Street Morgan Rd. Deans Bridge Rd. - Tobacco
Rd.
Source: Augusta Regional Transportation Study, Travel Demand Model, 1999<Network
Table T-4
Performance Measures
ARTS Con~estion Mana~ement System
Category Ayerage Speed is... .
NotPresently Congested (NPC) >= Posted speed limit.
At Risk of Congestion (ARC) 1% - 15% below the posted speed limit
Borderline Congested (BC) 15% - 25% below the posted speed limit
Marginally Congested (MC) 25% - 30 % below the posted speed limit
Seriously Congested (SC) > 30% below the posted speed limit
5.:9
Chapter 5 - Transportation
Since the travel time surveys started in 1995, a number of roads and road segments have.
been documented as having congestion problems. Many factors contribute to the
congestion including high traffic volumes, frequency of traffic signals, presence of major
traffic generators, and frequent turning movements. Table T-5 identifies the Richmond
County corridors that have consistently experienced the highest congestion over the last
seven years. These include a number of principal arterials, minor arterials and collector
streets. As with the V /C ratios, these congested corridors are located in the most heavily
urbanized parts of the city.
Table T-5
Selected Congested Road Corridors
Augusta-Richmond County, GA
Functional Road Name Location
Classification
Fifteenth St. (SR 4)* Reynolds Street to Martin Luther
Principal King Jr. Blvd. (MLK)
Arterials Thirteenth St. (SR 4) / R. A. Reynolds Street to Wrightsboro Rd.
Dent Blvd.
Deans Bridge Rd. (US l, SR MLK Blvd. to Willis Foreman Rd.
4)
Walton Way* Gordon Hwy. to Bransford Rd.
Washington Rd. (SR 28) Calhoun Expressway to Pleasant
Home Rd.
Wrightsboro Rd. * * Fifteenth St. to Barton Chapel Rd.
Davis Rd. / Pleasant Home Washington Rd. to Wrightsboro Rd.
Minor Rd. / Jackson Rd.
Arterials Wheeler Rd. Walton Way Ext. to Flowing Wells
Rd.
Note: This list includes road segments classified at least "Borderline Congested" in AM
and PM peak periods
*Part of the road classified as a minor arterial
** Congestion also evident on Saturday PM in the vicinity of Augusta Mall (Jackson
Rd. to Barton Chapel Rd. segment)
Source: Augusta Regional Transportation Study, Congestion Management System, 2001
5.6.3 Intersection Problems
In any surface transportation network problems occur where major arterials intersect one
another or where conditions (e.g. poor design, obstructions) make an intersection
hazardous. As part of the ARTS transportation planning process, an analysis of
5-10
Chapter 5 - Transportation
intersection accident data is completed artnually. Accident reports are collected and
analyzed for all intersections in RicHmond County with 20 :or.h10re rep0l1ed accidents
during the calendar year. The intersections are then ranked, from highest to lowest, based
on both the number of accidents and the accident rate. The accident rate is a measure of
the number of accidents adjusted for the number of vehicles entering each intersection
during the year. The resulting report is used to inform the public about traffic safety
issues in the City, and is used by the Public Works and Engineering Department to
. program intersection improvements. Some of the intersections with the highest accident
rates between the years 1994 ancl1999 include:
. Bobby Jones Expressway @ Scott Nixon Memorial Drive
· Bobby Jones Expressway Eastbound Ramp @ Mike Padgett Highway (SR 56)
. Deans Bridge Road @ Gordon Highway
. Deans Bridge Road @ Richmond Hill Road
. Washington Road @ I-20 Eastbound Ramps
. Windsor Spring Road @ Peach Orchard Road
The following chart shows recent trends in the total number if intersections with 20 or
more reported accidents.
Number of Intersections with 20+ Accidents
Richmond County
VI 80"
c
o
+i 60
o
(I)
VI
~
Q)
-
c
_ 20
o
:Jt
40
65
69
o "
1994 . 1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
Year
5.6.4 Maintenance Activities
Maintaining existing roads and bridges is another integral part of the transp0l1ation
system. The Maintenance Division of the Public Works and Engineering Depm1ment is
responsible for the repair and maintenance of roads, sidewalks, storm drains, curb and
5-11
Chapter 5 - Transportation
gutter on all county roadways. The Traffic Engineering Division is responsible for the
repair and maintenance of traffic signs, pavement marking, and traffic control signals.
5.7 Transportation Plans and Projects
As mentioned in the introduction to this chapter, planning and programming
improvements to the transportation system is vital to the continued growth and
development of Augusta. At the same time, such improvements must be sensitive to
environmental conditions, potential impacts on the human environment, and increase the
mode choice for residents and visitors.
5.7.1 Road and Bridge Needs
Planning and programming road improvement projects have been an important function
of government at all levels for many years. Since the mid-1960s projects involving state
and federal funds have been planned and programmed through the Augusta Regional
Transportation Study (ARTS). Major projects in the rural part of the county, generally
including the area south of Spirit Creek, are programmed through the Georgia
Department of Transportation. Table T -6 lists the major transportation projects currently
programmed through ARTS and GOUT. The project list does not include lump sum
funding for maintenance, safety, preliminary engineering, roadway/interchange lighting
and similar types of projects on the interstate highways and major arterials. Lump sum
funding is also included in both the ARTS TIP and the Georgia STIP.
The ARTS was established in response to a provision in the Federal Aid Highway Act of
1962 mandating transportation planning in urban areas throughout the country. A Policy
Committee - comprised of local elected officials from the area, fepresentatives from the
Georgia and South Carolina Departments of Transportation, and representatives of the
Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration - meets
quarterly to review progress on transportation projects and make decisions on ARTS
planning and programming issues. A Citizens Advisory Committee and. a Technical
Coordinating Committee: support the work of the Policy Committee. Over the years the
ARTS study area has grown to include the urbanized parts of Richmond, Columbia and
Aiken Counties.
The Augusta Public Works and Engineering Department is a partner in the ARTS
planning process. In addition, the department, working in cooperation with the City
Commission, is responsible for programming surface tfansportation projects involving
only local funds. The Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) Progfam
provides the City with another important tool for financing road improvemeJits. Since
1988, SPLOST funds have paid for intersection improvements, dirt road paving projects,
resurfacing, drainage, sidewalks, traffic signals, and road widening and improvement
projects. SPLOST funds also paid for costs associated with larger projects involving the
use of state and federal funds. Typically, the City agrees to pay for one Of more of the
following phases associated with a larger road widening or improvement project:
engineering and design fees, utility relocation and right-of-way acquisition. Some of
5-12
Chapter 5 - Transportation
these projects have been completed inore expeditiously becatlse of the availability of
SPLOST funds. Examples of completed projects using SPLOST funds include the
widening of Bobby Jones Expressway from 1-20 to Gordon Highway, the widening of
Tobacco Road, and the construction of Jimmie Dyess Parkway.
Table T-6
Programmed Transportation Improvement Projects
Augusta-Richmond County, GA
Location Description
Interstate 20 (SR 402) Widen bridge shoulders at Savannah River.
Interstate 20 (SR 402) Widen to six lanes from Belair Road to Riverwatch
Parkway.
Reconstruction of 1-20 & 1-520 interchange, including
Bobby Jones Expressway (1-520, SR 415) modifications of the J-520/Wheeler Rd. interchange and
construction of a grade separation at Bobby Jones
Expressway / Scott Nixon Memorial Dr. intersection.
Bobby Jones Expressway (1-520, SR 415) Widen from Deans Bridge Road (US I/SR 4) to Gordon
Highway.
Gordon Highway (US 278/78, SR 10) Construct median barrier from US 25 to Walton Way.
Widen to four lanes, with turn lanes at median
Alexander Drive openings, from Washington Road to Riverwatch
Parkway
Inter~tate 20 (SR 402) D~ainage Improvements at Crane Creek
:t't '
. ,~~.. ..
15th Street (SR 4) Widen to four lanes and six lanes with turn lanes as
needed, from Milledgeville Rd. to Government Street.
Wrightsboro Road Widen to four lanes with turn lanes as needed, from
Jimmy Dyess Parkway to 1-520 SB Ramp.
Widen to four lanes with turn lanes as needed from
Davis Road/Walton Way Ext Skinner Mill Road to Washington Road. Includes 1/2
diamond interchange at 1-20.
North Leg Road Widen bridge over CSX Railroad.
Windsor Spring Road @ NS Railroad Reconstruct and rehabilitate bridge over NS Railroad. '
5-13
Chapter 5 - Transportation
Table T-6
Programmed Transportation Improvement Projects
Augusta-Richmond County, GA
Location Description
Windsor Spring Road @ Spirit Creek Widen bridge over Spirit Creek.
Windsor Spring Road Widen to four lanes with tum lanes as needed from
Willis Foreman Rd to Tobacco Rd.
Windsor Spring Road Widen to four lanes with tum lanes as needed from SR
88 to Willis Foreman Road.
Modifications and additions to streets, railroad and
St. Sebastian Way/Greene Street Ext. related improvements in the vicinity of the grade
crossing of the CSX Railroad and Fifteenth Street.
River Watch ParkVv'ay Construct median baHier from Interstate 20 to Fifteenth
Street.
Install communications and surveillance equipment
Intelligent Transportation System along 1-20 from SR 388 (Lewiston Road) to South
Carolina line
Mike Padgett Hwy. (SR 56) @ Goshen Intersection Improvements
Road
Peach Orchard Road @ Windsor Spring Traffic Signal Upgrade
Road
Peach Orchard Road (US 25, SR 121) Widen to four lanes with tum lanes as needed from SR
88 to Burke County line
Source: ARTS Transportation Improvement Program, FY 04-06, June 2003, and Georgia State
Transportation Improvement Program, FY 03-05, November 2002
A review of Table T -6 indicates that road widening projects comprise a large percentage
of the planned transportation improvement projects. There are also projects designed to
make better use of the existing road network. Examples of such projects are the
construction of a Regional Transportation Control Center (TCC), installation of
surveillance and communications equipment along 1-20, intersection improvements, and
tratlic signal upgrades.
The TCC and related surveillance equipment are part of an Intelligent Transportation
System (ITS) planned for the Augusta region. A regional ITS Master Plan was completed
in February 2002. The plan included recOIlli11endations for the implementation of ITS
projects in phases over the next twenty years. Recommended components include a
communications network, cameras, detectors, dynamic message signs, weather detectors,
traveler information system and railroad grade crossing warning detection; upgrade the
5-14
Chapter 5 - Transportation
traffic, control system; deployment of the Highway Emergency Response Operators
(HERO on area freeways; and provide ITS for Augusta Transit.
In Intelligent Transportation Systems information technology is used to solve traffic
problems. It is used to improve safety, efficiency and performance of streets and
highways, vehicles, transit, and rail systems. Information comes in from the field, is
analyzed, stored, and then is sent out to devices and travelers. An effective ITS saves
time, money, and lives.
Another way to reduce congestion, enhance safety and make more efficient use of the
road network is through access management. Access management involves changing land
use planning and roadway design practices. to limit the number of driveways and
intersections and control vehicle turning movements. Access managemei1t also promotes
a more pedestrian-friendly environment. Some of the major access management
strategies include the following:
· Limit the number of driveways per lot
· Locate driveways away from intersections
· Connect parking lots and consolidate driveways
· Provide residential access through neighborhood streets
· Increase minimum lot frontage on major streets
· Promote a connected street system. Avoid networks that force traffic onto arterials
· Encourage internal access to outparcels located on large commercial lots
· Regulate the location, spacing and design of driveways
5.7.2 Rail Transportation Needs
For many years, informal agreements and local ordinances have been employed to restrict
the speed and hours of operation of freight trains passing through downtown Augusta. In
the 1970s the Federal Highway Administration completed a railroad demonstration plan
for Augusta. The purpose of the plan was to improve the relationship between the
railroad and the city and improve the operation of the transportation network.
The plan recommended the relocation of the Southern Railroad (now Norfolk Southern)
and Seaboard Coast Line Railroad (now CSX Railroad) main lines and yards out of
downtown, the construction of new grade separations, and upgrading the Belt Line on the
Georgia Railroad (now part of CSX Railroad). In keeping with the intent of the study,
the recommended improvements were identified as "usable segments",- meaning that they
could be implemented and provide a benefit to the transportation network even if the
remainder of the recommended projects were not completed.
As it tllrned out, only some of the usable,segments have been constructed in the twenty-
plus years since the demonstration plan was completed. Four grade separations were
constructed during the 1980s. Three are located on the CSX lines and include the
elevated section of the Calhoun Expressway (SR 28) between 1 ih and 15th Streets, the
Fifteenth Street overpass near the Harrisonville Yard, and the Highland A venue overpass.
5-15
Chapter 5 - TranspOl1ation
A fourth overpass is located on Walton Way above the joint Norfolk Southern/CSX main
line on Sixth Street. A fifth overpass, to span the CSX line between Broad Street and
River Watch Parkway, is planned as part of the St. Sebastian Way/Greene Street
Extension project.
'fhe Norfolk Southern and CSX main lines continue to bisect downtown Augusta and the
main railroad yards are still in the same locations. The Belt Line is still in need of the
upgrades recommended as part of the demonstration project. There is renewed interest in
relocating the Norfolk Southern main line out of downtown, and upgrading the Belt Line.
In 2001, the City and the railroads worked together to purchase and install remote-
controlled switches at four locations on the main line tracks in downtown. The switches
reduce the delay caused by trains stopping to allow engineers to manually throw a switch.
Passenger rail service in Augusta ended a number of years ago. However, rapid
population gro\V1h in Georgia in recent decades has rekindled interest in both commuter
and intercity passenger rail service. In 1997, the Intercity Passenger Rail Plan was
completed for the Georgia Department of Transportation. The Plan collected information
on current intercity travel within the state, made forecasts of future travel by all modes
and examined the costs and benefits of intercity rail passenger service in a number of
possible corridors.
The Plan recommended the phased implementation of an intercity passenger rail network
on existing freight railroad lines. First-priority corridors identified would connect Atlanta
with Macon, Albany, Savannah and Jacksonville, FL. Second-priority routes would
connect Atlanta with Augusta, Columbus and Greenville, Sc. As stated in the Plan
summary, the first-priority corridors were chosen "to maximize both the financial
operating surplus from the lines and the net benefits of service to the State." The study
concluded that the operating surplus generated by the first-priority routes could be used
to subsidize the second-priority lines, none of which were forecast to generate a profit.
The Plan forecast annual ridership on the Atlanta-Augusta line at 131,000 one.,.way trips
in the year 2020. Estimated capital costs of the Atlanta-Augusta line were $213 million at
the time the study was completed. Capital costs included work on tracks and ties,
signaling improvements, provision of flashing lights and safety gates at all at-grade
crossings, a station and parking, maintenance facilities and trains. The Atlanta-Augusta
line was forecast to operate at a loss of $3.0 million in 2020. Issues that need to be
resolved related to implementation of the entire network include identifying funding
sources and support, protecting the railroad rights-of-way from encroachment, and
reaching agreement with Norfolk Southern and CSX regarding use of their rail lines.
The Georgia Rail Passenger Authority, the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority
and the Georgia Department of Transportation are working together to implement the
Plan. Activities being worked on at the present time include an environmental review of
the Macon corridor, acquisition of property in Atlanta for a multi-modal terminal, use
agreements with the freight railroads, and improving the safety of at-grade crossings.
5-16
Chapter 5 - Transportation
5.7.3 Airport Master Plan
In 2001, the Augusta Aviation Commission hired the firnl of Black and Veatch to
develop a 20-year master plan for Augusta Regional Airport. Many factors prompted the
study, among them the age and condition of airport facilities and declining enplanements.
Major components of the study included an inventory of existing conditions, aviation
demand forecasting, facility requirements, analysis of alternatives, an environmental
analysis, airport plans, and a financial plan. The draft plan projected that enplanements
\vill reach 730,000 by the year 2020 (there were 167,000 enplanements in 2001), and
outlined three alternatives for improvements at the airport. The preferred alternative
recommended the construction of two parallel runways (one of which is the existing
8,000 foot runway), and a midfield terminal, at an estimated cost of $122 million ($156
million with inflation). The preferred alternative generated a great deal of discussion
among Aviation Commission members and throughout the community.
In September 2002 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a conditional
approval of the airport master plan. The FAA endorsed the new midfield terminal,
airplane parking areas and taxiway recommend by the master plan. Plans to construct a
runway parallel to the existing 8,000-foot runway will be put on hold until enplanements
increase en~ugh for the FAA to supp0l1 the construction. TheF AA questioned the
projections of annual eliplanements contained in the plan, and instead used its more
conservative forecasts of 280,000 passengers in 2010 and 336,000 in 2020. The FAA
also endorsed plans to abandon. the airport's crosswind runway. The FAA's action
renewed the debate about the type and extent of improvements needed at Augusta
Regional Airport.
In February 2003 the Aviation Commission voted to re-evaluate the master plan due to a
lack of state and federal funding for such projects. The Commission later voted to
approve construction of a new terminal at the airport's current tenninal location. The
estimated cost of such a terminal is $30 million. A consulting contract for development of
a new terminal layout plan was pending at the end of June. The layout plan will establish
a concept for the new terminal and:.related improvements, provide a 'cost estimate for the
facilities, and include financing options for the project.
5.7.4 Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans
Several off-road bicycle and pedestrian projects have been implemented in recent years.
Most have been financed with federal Transportation Enhancement funds and matching
local funds. The City's Recreation and Parks Department constructed paved walking
trails at several parks, including one at Lake Olmstead connecting toa new pedestrian
bridge over the Augusta Canal. The Canal Bridge is one of sever.al projects being
implemented by the Augusta Canal' Authority for the benefit of users. A project
involving substantial improvements to the towpath is under construction. The project
includes on-road connections ,from the Canal to the downtown Riverwalk and Dyess
Park, as well as the towpath improvements. The towpath is adjacent to the Canal
Authority's Interpretive Center, which opened in April 2003. Access to the canal is also
5-17
Chapter 5 - Transp0l1ation
possible via a. pedestrian bridge near Eisenhower Park. This bridge is scheduled to be
upgraded in the future.
Phase I of a "history walk" on the Augusta State University (ASU) campus was
completed in the spring of this year (2003). Phase Il includes the design and construction
of the remainder of the history walk and a separate walking/bicycle path from the ASU
campus to the ASU athletic complex on Wrightsboro Road. Both phases have been
awarded TE grants and ASU is providing local matching funds.
Planning for bicycle and pedestrian facilities in Richmond County is progressing. The
original ARTS Bike\vay Plan (c.1994) included recommendations for a bicycle safety and
awareness campaign, including bicycle facilities in highway widening projects, and
making the existing transportation network more bicycle-friendly. The Bikeway Plan
identified the Augusta Canal, the Savannah River levee, and several interconnected
streets in the Summerville/Academy Saker area as potential sites for bikeways. In 1997,
the list of potential bike corridors was expanded significantly as part of the update of the
ARTS Long-Range Transportation Plan. In Richinond County, thirty-five corridors were
identified as potential sites for either on-road or off-road bicycle facilities. Some could
be done in conjunction with planned road widening projects. The following page
includes a list of the projects.
An update of The 1994 Bicycle Plan was most recently updated in January 2003. The
new plan provides a blueprint for development of bicycle and pedestrian facilities over
the next 20 years. The plan includes an inventory of the current regional bicycle and
pedestrian network, design standards for new facilities, a list of 194 recommended
projects (with cost estimates), and strategies for implementing the projects. Of the total
recommended projects, 47 are proposed in Augusta-Richmond County at an estimated
cost of $ 25.8 million.
The plan was developed with a public involvement program that included a bicycle and
pedestrian steering committee, public meetings, a project newsl~tter, web page updates,
and media outreach. The project steering committee included Yepresentatives from the
Recreation and Parks Department, the Neighborhood Alliance, the Safe Communities
Coalition, the Augusta Canal Authority, and bicycle and pedestrian organizations.
5.7.5 Public Transit Needs
The APT Transit System Analysis (November 2001), prepared by Manuel Padron and
Associates, proposes several improvements to the transit system. Proposed
improvements include modifications to 8 existing routes, the addition of a new cross-
county connector route, and extending service to Fort Gordon and North Augusta. The
changes will be phased in over a five-year period.
The proposed improvements to existing service emphasize: I) increasing productivity
where possible, 2) maintaining current levels of service for most fixed routes, and 3)
enhancing service on the routes with the potential for attracting additional riders. The
5-18
Chapter 5 - Transportation
addition of a cross-county route, and extension of service to Fort Gorgon and North
Augusta, will connect areas with high population and employment densities.
5-19
:e
wtz
0>
(/)
0>
;:1
~n
O>'~
(/)0>2:
~roO
o.n~
nO>....,
0(/)0
CD ~ 0.0>
n -.
r-+CD(/)
00.
....,
(/)
<<<~~
::JJ::JJaS:'"tJm-n
o Q) 0 _...., >< ...,
Q) == = ~ -. CD
Q....,CDO~-OCD
en g n ..., n.m ~
Q.o~~~Q)
..., .- - c:::: '<
r:en CD)>< en
~ ~. ;::+. Q)
CD Q)CD'<
_ en
en ...,
Q)'
en
j ! fIr
. ~ ,1:-
:J I I r'
Err"
I,; r, :ii
~ r~ " t
.. P 1-,
r. ii l' f
fJf!!iif
I. h r~! ~
l~ .1 I ~, l'
jn~ h ~i1 J
; l' i.'. ·
cf ,; 1~r
IS ~ I I ~i
Ii.! "
': ~, Hi
~ {."
~ i fit
i ; ~l'
S'Z
,-+-0
~r-+
CD~
)>
0.
0.
trl
~;'~
~ ~ r:
~g~
ct, ".
.. -,
" n
~{H
~"'~
oa':"Te
~
""S
~
/:I
"C
=
""S
....
~
C'.
=
:=
~
~
~
....
-
... .
a.
~
rIJ
>
~
(TQ
~
{J.l
~
:::0
_.
()
S-
o
::3
0-
n
o
$::
9
CJ
>
OJ
t:
..,
~
CD
o
o
c
~
~
)>
-.
~
CD
::J
o
o
c:
~
~
..
en
o
(")
o
-
c
3
C"
w'
(")
o
c
::s
~
0
0
....,
:E
0 ~tz
0 tTl
(:)
....,
o
~
~
~
:~~, -,
"\
/\
~~.~~<~~~~~~~ ~ . ~ @
~~~~~~~~~~~~~o~oo~~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ...., 0> 0'1 ~ W ~ 0 ~, ~ Q) Q)
OOO'1O>WI'VOO I I I I I I CD o..g ~ ~
)> I 00::0 < ~ m < (0 ..., "'0 ~, ~,
o ~ r aJ)> I 00 0 CD < C Q) < CD m -, .- .-
OCDCQ)CaJQ)C(o~~00~-3~~~
:e 9: 3 ;:1. <g ~ a s: CD ~ 5' :; 0 C "'0 _ Q) ~.
3. 0 ~ g 00 0 (0 g 5' c ~ ~ 0 m-~ ~
o Q) -, m 7' I et '< (0 I (0 < <' '< ~ ~ CD
:e ~o 3=CD '-=c<CDCD'-CD~
~O::O~~Q)oo~~g 00Q)~~~""Q)
o 0 Q) Q) ~ v Q) .- '< -. .- "Tl ~
00 3 Q) "'0 = 00 Q) = ::0 Q) -< ~, Q) 0
~"'O C. CD N C. ~ 0 CD
c- - Q)' 3~
~CD ~"Tl
mX CD,<Q)
00 3. Q,
~ ;:+
c '<
.-
=
CD
'-
i j fir
~ ~ I!:
i ~ ffi
a; ~ll :i!
I. pI f'l
:~ '. ."
rj fi .'j
>, "I "p!
oiL f ;'. ~
JI, Ui i
if it Hi ~
i ~ · i '.j W
~:lr~irf
.i~i~iP'lI
r: :i 1ft
IS ~! . ~i
rl ., I:.
'. .. iit
. f.':
! ! JH
t i H
. ;
, ,.
, '
.,
/i~
I I ,. '~. I
~I l~ll
' I:
;~NrJ,
\~!/
~5"C'J
'" 0' ~
1t..~
i3 i3 "
ttI ~"t:l
-, ...
o -,
" ...
!li~
?,L
. ",,,,
.e" ~
: \.
, ;
""3
"'l
~
:=
~
....
....
)>
c
(Jq
C
r/.J
.-+-
~
I
:::0
_.
C":i
::r'
3
o
o
0-
n
o
c
o
9"
C1
>
~
Q
=
..,..
~
~
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
6. Introduction
Community facilities and services are important to the future of the city. They contribute
to the health, safety and welfare of residents, improve the quality of life, and' foster new
housing and business development. The timing and location of new community facilities
and services also influence private development. It is important that community facilities
and services be adequate to meet expected demands, and at the same time be used to guide
growth in an orderly and logical manner.
This element includes an inventory and assessment of public facilities and services
provided by the city and other public,and private organiiations. Existing conditions and
needs are identitied for sl1ch facilities as the water and sewerage systems, public safety,
solid waste, recreation and parks, schools, libraries and other cultural facilities. An
inventory of hospitals and other public health facilities is also included.
6.1 General Government
A ten-member board of commissioners and a mayor governs the city of Augusta. Eight of
the commission members are elected from individual districts, and two are elected from a
combination of four districts. The mayor is elected on a citywide basis. The term of office
is four years, and no person can serve as either a commissioner or mayor for more than two
consecutive terms. The mayor is the chief executive officer of the government and has the
following powers and duties:
o To preside at all meetings of the commission;
o To serve as the official head of the government for the service of process and
for ceremonial purposes;
o To administer oaths and take aHidavits;
o To sign all written contracts on behalf of the City;
o To ensure that all laws, ordinances, and resolutions are faithfully executed.
The mayof has the fight to vote to make or break a tie vote on ,any matter coming before
the commission, but cannot veto ordinances, resolutions, or other actions of the
commISSIOn.
Commission members sit on one or more of' five standing committees: Finance,
Administrative Services, Engitie~ring Services" Public Services, and Public
Safety/Information Technology. The appropriate committee first hears ordinances,
resolutions and other matters. From the committee, an item is forwarded to the full
Commission for consideration. The Commission meets twice each month, as do each of
the committees. In January of each year, the Commission elects a member ,to serve as
Mayor Pro Tem. The Mayor Pro Tem chairs the Commission meeting in the absence of
the Mayor, and perfornls other duties as assigned by the Commission. A member can
serve no more than two consecutive one-year terms as Mayor Pro Tem.
6-1
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
The Commission employs an Administrator to coordinate the day-to-day activities of city
government. The city employs approximately 2,600 people in over fifty different
departments. A number of the departments are located in the Municipal Building at 530
Greene Street, and a couple of annex buildings. Other major facilities than the city owns,
and some departments operate out of include:
o Public Works & License & Inspection Departments - 1815 Marvin Griffin Road
o Recreation and Parks Department - 2027-29 Lumpkin Road
o Law Enforcement Center - 401 Walton Way
o .lames B. Messerly Wastewater Treatment Plant - 1820 Doug Barnard Parkway
o Richmond County Correctional Institution - 2314 Tobacco Road
o Emergency Management Agency/911 Center - 911 Fourth Street
o Fleet Management - 1568 Broad Street
o Augusta Public Transit Administration & Garage - 1535 Fenwick Street
o Augusta Public Transit Transfer Facility - 1546 Broad Street
o Augusta-Richmond County Landfill - 4330 Deans Bridge Road
o Phinizy Road Jail - 1941 Phinizy Road
o Waterworks Filter Plant - 1425 Highland Avenue
According to recent research by the Finance Department, the city leases 40,455 square feet
of office space for other departments and agencies. The majority of the leased space -
30,445 square feet - is concentrated in three downtown buildings:
o The Hatcher Building, 50 I Greene Street - the District Attorney, Facilities
Management Department and Law Department
o New South Building, 360 Bay Street - Utilities Department, Human Relations
Commission, Coroner's Office
o Augusta Riverfront Center, #1 Tenth Street - Housing and Neighborhood
Development Department and Fire Department Administration
The Municipal Building and the Law Enforcement Center together also are home to
several constitutional officers, judges and their staffs. These include the Clerk of Superior
Court, Tax Commissioner, Marshal's Department, Sheriffs Department, the State Court
Solicitor, and judges for the following court systems: Superior Court, State Court, Probate
Court, and Civil and Magistrate Court.
6.1.1 Assessment of General Goyernment Needs
Following consolidation, the city hired a consultant to evaluate space needs for the'
government. The space study resulted in several alternatives ranging from adding on to the
existing municipal building, to relocating all functions to a new site. In February 2002, the
Augusta Commission voted to renovate and expand the 100,000 square-foot municipal
building for use as a judicial center and courts complex. General government offices
currently housed in the Municipal Building would be moved to a yet-to-be-determined site.
Plans also are in the works for new facilities to house two departments: Public Works and
6-2
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
Engineering and Utilities. The new facilities will be located on a site ofT Richmond Hill
Road in south Augusta.
Concerned that the Municipal Building site was too small for the proposed judicial center,
an advisory panel recommended constructing the facility on a riverfront parcel in the 500
block of Reynolds Street in June 2003. The engineering firm hired to design the center
evaluated the Reynolds Street property and another potential site at May Park. In response
to a request from Augusta Conunissioners, the consultant also evaluated the feasibility of
sites on the 900 block of Telfair Street and Regency Mall in south Augusta. On August 19,
2003 a majority of the Augusta Commission voted in favor of the Telfair Street site,
subject. to a favorable environmental assessment of the property. The Commission
designated the Municipal Building as the backup location.
In October several commissioners asked projects designers to look more closely at the
Telfair Street site. Concerned was expressed about the impact of the project on existing
businesses located on the site. On October 28th project architects presented Commissioners
with an evaluation of four alternative sites on and near the 900 Block of Telfair Street.
Subsequently, the Commission approved locating the 300,000 square-foot judicial center
on a vacant three-acre parcel of land at the corner of James BrO\vn Blvd. and Walker
Street.
6.2 Public Safety
Public ,safety includes police protection, tire protection, emergency medical services, 911
dispatch services, and animal control services. The Richmond County Sheriffs office
provides police protection. All other public safety functions are provided through line
agencies of the Augusta government.
6.2.] Richmond County Sheriffs Office
The Richmond County Sheriffs Ot1ice is an independent public agency headed by an
'elected sheriff. The office employs 716' .people and is divided into fo-ur divisions:
Administrative, Uniform (or Patrol), Criminal lnvestigation, and the Jail Division. The
Sheriffs Office also staffs and operates a training center.
The Administrative Oivision includes the Sheriff, Chief Deputy and another 89 personnel
assigned to' various administrative, record keeping, and public relations functions.
Twenty-one people, work in the administrative division. Five officers and 27 clerks staff
the' records' section. In the Civil Section there, are 21 deputies assigned to sef'ie court
papers. Another 11 people provide supel:visory or support functions in' the Civil Section.
The Public Relations section is staffed by 5 deputies and I lieutenant and implements the
Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE)Program.
The Uniform or Patrol Division is the largest division, employing 292 people. The
division is comprised of two precincts - the North and the South. A Major, assisted by a
precinct Captain, commands each division. The precincts have four patrol shifts each, plus
6,3
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
the various Special Operations units housed within that precinct. The uniformed patrol
shifts operate on two 12-hour shifts. One lieutenant commands these shifts with the
assistance of two sergeants. Patrol deputies are assigned either a permanent day or night
shift. Each deputy on the shift is assigned a beat to patrol. Beat assignments are not
rotated, thereby allowing a deputy to become very familiar with a specific patrol area.
Special Operations is a subdivision of the Uniform Division and is housed in both the
North and South Precincts. Units. w'ithin Special Operations. include the Crime
Suppression Team, the D.U.I Task Force, the Motorcycle/Traffic Squad,. the Weed and
Seed Unit, the School/Safety Patrol, and two Housing Unit Squads. The basic
responsibilities of the units are as follows:
o Crime Suppression Team - A multi-function unit consisting of 8 deputies and 1
sergeant. Conducts saturation or directed patrols in high crime areas, execute
search warrants and high-risk arrest warrants, and assigned to stake-outs,
narcotics, and prostitution suppression efforts. '
o DUI Task Force - A five-person unit whose primary function is the detection
and apprehension of intoxicated drivers. The Sheriffs Office also operates a
DUI van equipped with a Mobile Breathalyzer Unit.
o Motorcycle/Trallic Squad - Includes 12 motorcycle units and 1 parking
violation deputy. This squad focuses on gaining compliance with all trat1ic
lmvs through aggressive enforcement of the traffic code. The squad also
investigates motor vehicle accidents, conducts trafTic surveys, and assists with
efforts to increase seatbelt usage. The parking violation deputy patrols Broad
Street and adjoining streets enforcing parking regulations.
o Weed and Seed - This unit was created in January 1999 and consists of 3
deputies working under the direction of a lieutenant. Originally funded by a
grant from the U. S. Department of Justice, the program is designed to "weed"
out the criminal element in a neighborhood and "seed" programs and activities
that create an atmosphere of security, safety and well being for residents. The
Barton Village neighborhood is the target area for the unit.
o School/Safety Patrol - This unit is headed by a sergeant who is responsible for
overseeing Richmond County Board of Education school crossing guards. The
sergeant also is responsible for inspecting all commercial taxicabs and
limousines in Richmond County on a biannual basis.
o Housing - This unit consists of 13 deputies and 2 sergeants divided between
two patrols. The primary responsibility of the unit is to patrol the housing
complexes owned by the Augusta Housing Authority. A grant from the U.S.
Department of I-lousing and Urban Development is used to reimburse the
Sheriffs Oftice for the cost of this unit.
6-4
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
The Criminal Investigation Division (CID) includes 65 personnel and is responsible for
follo\ving up on all crimes reported to the Sheriffs Office. CID is divided into six
sections: administrative, motor vehicle theft, narcotics, property crimes, technical crimes
and violent crimes. According to crime statistics, there were 31,680 crimes reported to the
Sheriffs Oflice in 2001.
The Jail Division is responsible for operating two correctional facilities: The Augusta-
Richmond County Law Enforcement Center at 401 Walton Way, and the. Augusta-
Richmond County Detention Center at 1941 Phinizy Road.
o Law Enforcement Center - This six-story tower opened in the latter part of
1985. Originally designed as a 240-bed facility, an additional 100 beds were
added in 1987 to alleviate overcrowding. In 1997, the lower level of the facility
was renovated and an annex was constructed that includes a new Intake-Release
section, jail administrative offices, a transportation section, and a 27-bed
infirmary. One hundred thi11y-eight employees, including 103 jailers, work at
the Walton Way Jail.
o Detention Center -This $16.2 million facility opened on November] 7, 1997.
The Detention Center has 552 inmate beds divided among four pods.' Three of
the pods house male inmates and the fourth one houses females. The facility is
located ()n part of a 52-acre site that can accommodate additional pods as the
need arises. . Eight-four employees, including 54 jailers, are assigned to the
Detention Center.
The Richmond County Sheriffs Office Training Center is a 500-acre facility located on
Deans Bridge Road near the Richmond County landfill. A staff of 8 coordinates all
training activities at the program. The center conducts or hosts training courses 50 weeks a
year to Sheriffs Office deputies and to personnel from other law enforcement agencies.
The center is equipped with a "live fire" tire house and an Emergency Vehicle Operator
Course.
6.2.2 Fire Protection
The Augusta-Richmond County Fire Department provides full-time professional fire
protection to all parts of Augusta and within the city of Blythe. The service area Covers
approximately 214 square miles (excluding Hephzibah and Fort Gordon), and inCludes a
mix of residential areas, high value districts, and woodlands. A high value -district is an
area of commercial, industrial and/or institutional land uses of unusually high property
value. Examples of high value districts include down~own Augusta, the midtown medical
complex, Augusta Mall and other shopping centers, and the Miracle Mile Industrial Park
on Marvin Griffin Road. The service area includes a resident population of 188,141 (2000
Census).
The Fire Department has 312 employees and 34 pieces of firefighting equipment
distributed among] 9 fire stations. The department's headquarters is located at Station #3
6-5
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
at 1099 Reynolds Street in downtmvn Augusta. Of the total employees, 290 are combat
firefighters and the rest are administrative and support personnel. Administrative oflices
are located at #1 Tenth Street in downtown Augusta, but will relocate to a new building on
Laney- Walker Blvd. by the end of 2003. Within the department, the Fire Prevention
Bureau is responsible for arson investigation, code enforcement, and fire safety education.
Schools, places of assembly, and buildings in high value districts are a top priority for life
safety code enforcement. Table C-l lists the location, number of personnel and major
equipment at each fire station.
Table C-l
Fire Department Facilities and Equipment
Augusta-Richmond County
Station Location Year Equipment Personnel
Number Built
1 302 Watkins St. 1964 ] 500GPM Pumper 12
Water Rescue Vehicle
2 ]435 Walton Way ]957 ] 500GPM Pumper 12
1500 GPM Pumper
3 1099 Reynolds St. 1970 105' Aerial Truck 27
Command Vehicle
High Angle Rescue Vehicle
4 1866 Ell is St. 1974 1000 GPM Pumper 12
5 M.L.K. Blvd, 1996 1500 GPM Pumper 12
Air Supply Vehicle
1250 GPM Pumper
6 26] 8 Richmond Hill Rd. 1954 104' Aerial Truck 27
Command Vehicle
7 2163 Central Ave, 1913 1500 GPM Pumper 12
8 2830 Central Ave. ]949 ] 500 GPM Pumper 12
1500 GPM Pumper
9 3507 Walton Way Ext. 1974 102' Aerial Truck 27
Command Vehicle
]0 2625 Washington Rd. 1955 1000 GPM Pumper 12
11 2108 Old Savannah Rd. ]982 ]250 GPM Pumper ]2
12 5098 Mike Padgett Hwy, 1978 1500 GPM Pumper ]2
1500 GPM Tanker
13 2619 Lumpkin Rd, 1973 ] 250 GPM Pumper 12
1500 GPM Tanker
14 3507 Highway 88 1978 1250 GPM Pumper 12
1500 GPM Tanker
15 3624 Wrightsboro Rd . Temp. 1250 GPM Pumper 12
]6 3446 Old Louisville Rd 1250 GPM Pumper ]2
17 3705 Old Waynesboro Rd. 1975 1250 GPM Pumper ]8
Ladder Service Truck
1500 GPM Pumper
18 4185 Windsor Spring Rd. Haz Mat Vehicles (2) 15
Command Vehicle
19 635 Sand Bar Ferry Rd. 197] 1000 GPM Pumper 12
Source: Augusta Fire Depal1ment, November 2002
6-6
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
Table C-2 ,-
Fire Station Construction
Augusta-Richmond County, 2002-2004
Station Current Location New Location Cost Year
Number Opened
I 302 Watkins St. # I Broad St. $i.4 million 2003
7 2163 Central Ave, 29] 7 Willis Foreman Rd $1.3 million 2003
19 635 Sand Bar Fen)' Rd, 1600 Bro\\in Rd, $1.3 million 2004
8 2830 Central Ave. 2023 Highland Ave. $1.3 million 2004
12 5098 Mike Padgett Hwy, ] 15 J Hephzibah-McBean Rd. $1.3 million 2004
15 Wrightsboro Rd Flowing Wells Road $1.4 million 2004
Source: Augusta Fire Department, as updated December 2003
6.2.3 Emergency Medical Senrices
The Aug:uita 9-1-1 Center is located at 91] F~'~rth Street in do~ntown Augusta. The center
is fully staffed on each shift with properly trained. and equipped Emergency Medical
Dispatchers. Depending on the nature of the call, an ambulance and/or the Fire Department
First Responder is dispatched to the location. Rural/Metro Ambulance Service has a three-
year contract to provide emergency medical services in Augusta-Richmond County.
Rural/Metro now uses seven ambulances at all times and eight during peak periods. Gold
Cross Ambulance, Service provides back~up s~rvice in the city.
6.2.4 Animal Control
The Augusta-Richmond County Animal Control Department provides animal control
services in Augusta. A licensed veterinarian (position currently vacant) heads the
department and supervises other employees and the animal control facility on Mack Lane
in south Augusta. The department operates a fleet of trucks that provide coverage
throughout the city. The facility takes in an average of 10,000 animals each year. The
6-7
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
animal control facility consists of a group of 30-year-old buildings and kennels in need of
replacement.
The Animal Control Shelter's volunteer group, Augusta Animal Rescue Friends (AARF),
offers the shelter's animals for adoption and operates a foster care program. The 12-
member Richmond County Animal Control Board meets monthly to hear and decide cases
involving the state's Dangerous Dog Law.
6.2.5 Assessment of Public Safety Needs
The City of Augusta provides police protection and law enforcement through the
Richmond County Sheriff's Office, fire protection through the Fire Department,
Emergency Medical Services under contract with Rural Metro Ambulance Service, and
animal control through the Animal Control Department. The City is currently meeting the
needs of its residents adequately in each of these areas, and is taking steps to meet the
demands of the future.
In 1997, the Augusta-Richmond County Detention Center was built to relieve
overcrowding at the Law Enforcement Center. Even with the addition of the Detention
Center, correctional facilities in Augusta remain overcrowded on a regular basis. Factors
contributing to the overcrowding include stifter sentences, a backlog of court cases, and a
backlog of prisoners awaiting transfer to state correctional facilities. The Sheriff's Office
has brought this issue to the attention of the City Commission, as well as the fact that local
detention facilities are understaffed. As previously mentioned, the Detention Facility is
designed so that additional pods can be constructed on the site. During budget work
sessions in the fall of 2002, the City Administrator presented the City Commission with a
proposed capital improvement plan that includes the construction of two additional jail
pods at the Phinizy Road facility at an estimated cost of $7.9 million.
The city also recognizes the need for new fire stations. The advanced age of some existing
fire stations, need for additional space, and shifts in population combine to make some new
facilities necessary. In October 2002, the:-Chy broke ground on three new stations, each of
which replaces an existing facility. Each station includes state-of-the-art design with
architectural features that blend with the surrounding neighborhoods. Each station has a
community meeting room for use by neighborhood residents. Three additional station
relocations are planned for the year 2003. Collections from the I-cent special purpose
local option sales tax are financing the new fire stations.
A new animal control shelter is under construction. The design and specifications for the
shelter were prepared in early 2002. The facility was redesigned after the initial bids came
in over budget. The new shelter is expected to be ready for occupancy by November 2003.
6.3 Educational Facilities
The Richmond County Board of Education and several private schools provide elementary
and secondary education facilities in Augusta and Richmond County. Post-secondary
6-8
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
education facilities include Augusta Technical College, Augusta State University, Paine
College, and the Medical College of Georgia.
The Richmond County Board of Education consists of ten members elected by districts
that coincide with the city commission district boundaries. Eight school board memhers
are elected by single districts and the remaining two are elected by combined districts. The
Board operates under a committee system established by the Board President. The Board
appoints a Superintendent to administer the operations of the public school system. The
Board employs approximately 4,300 people, and the main administrative offices are
located at 2083 Heckle Street. By the end of 2003, all administrative offices will be
centralized at renovated buildings located on Broad Street in downtown Augusta.
There are currently 55 schools in the Richmond County public school system. Of these 34
are elementary, 10 are middle, 8 are high schools, and 3 are magnet schools. Enrollment as
of the fall 2002 was approximately 35,700 students. The magnet school concept is
designed to encourage system-wide attendance at inner-city schools. Richmond County
opened its first magnet school in 1981. Currently Richmond County has three magnet
schools: John S. Davidson Fine Arts School (grades 6-12), A R. Johnson High School -
specializing in health, science, math and engineering, and C. T. Walker Elementary
School.
Private schools include Curtis Baptist School (grades K-12), Episcopal Day School (K-8),
Hillcrest Baptist School (K-8), Immaculate Conception School (K-8), St. Mary-on-the Hill
School (K-8), Southgate Christian School (K-12), and Westminster Schools (Pre-K-12).
Between 1996 and 2002, the Richmond County public school system completed a total of
47 improvement projects. Originally financed with a $115 million bond approved by
taxpayers, the improvement program included the following:
o $53 million to build six new schools, including Cross Creek High School,
replacement of Sue Reynolds and Hephzibah Elementary Schools, and the
, ,,'consolidation; of Levi. White/Jerikins< Elementary Schools, Craig/Houghton
Elementary Schools, and Lake Forest/Forest Hills Elementary Schools
o $56 million in expansions and renovations to 27 .schools
o $2 million in roof repairs
o $600,000 to retrofit 5 schools for technology
In 1996 voters approved a I-cent sales tax increase that enabled the School Board to. pay
off the bonds in five years' instead 'of thi11y. The School Board, Adminis'trative Planning
Committee; Community Oversight Conunittee, and a program manager worked together to
complete the improvement projects. Among the factors that contributed to the need for the
improvement projects included the foflowing: '
o The school system was growing at a rate of more than 400 students per year
o Overcrowding that resulted in the use of many p0l1able classrooms
o Preventive maintenance was needed to protect the investment in many schools
6-9
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
o Overcrowding caused overuse of common areas, such as cafeterias and libraries
o Old schools could not accommodate the computer technology provided by
lottery funds
o Good education facilities and programs promote economic growth and protect
property values
6.3.1 Assessment of Education Needs
In the summer of 2001, the School Board, Administrative Planning Committee, and
Community Oversight Committee completed an assessment of additional construction
projects needed to bring facilities up to the expectations for the 21st century. Continued
overcrowding and the use of portables, the passage of HB 1187 mandating reduced class
sizes, and the age of some schools were some of the major factors contributing to the need
for more projects. In November 2001, voters approved a five-year extension of the I-cent
sales tax for schools that will fund the following projects:
o Construction of two (2) new elementary schools in south Augusta
o Construction of a replacement school for Hornsby Elementary School
o Construction of a new V ocationallTechnical Magnet High School
o Construction of a replacement for A. R. Johnson Science Technology High
School
o Construction of new stadiums at Westside, Glenn Hills, and Laney High
Schools
o Expansion (mostly new classrooms) and renovations at 17 elementary schools,
4 middle schools, and 5 high schools
6.4 Recreation and Parks
There are fifty-nine (59) public recreation facilities located in Augusta and Richmond
County. Generally speaking, the facilities include community centers, neighborhood
parks, playgrounds and specialized facilities. The community centers function as district
parks, drawing users from a wide area, and offer bb"th indoor and outdoor recreation
programs. Six of the community centers - Henry Brigham, Johnson, McDuffie Woods,
May Park, Bernie Ward, and Warren Road - have gymnasiums, and all have outdoor play
equipment. Most neighborhood-level parks have an activity building, athletic field, and
offer programs geared to children and pre-teens. Neighborhood parks generally draw users
from within walking distance.
Playground sites vary widely in their size and facilities. Some have only playground
equipment, but most have athletic fields, multipurpose courts, and/or picnic areas. A
number of facilities focus on individual sports such as swimming, boxing, golf, fishing and
boating, tennis, soccer, and skateboarding. One example is Eisenhower Park, which has
four ball fields and a playground. Adjacent to Eisenhower Park is a bridge over the
Augusta Canal. The bridge provides pedestrian and bicycle access to the 7-mile long
Augusta Canal National Heritage Area.
6-10
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
Julian Smith Park is a specialized facility that includes two recreation centers - Julian
Smith Casino and the Barbecue Pit - an athletic field, playground and picnic areas, a disc
golf course, Lake Olmstead, and a walking trail that connects to the Augusta Canal. Lake
Olmstead provides opportunities for both active and passive recreation activities.
Though not a part of the City's park system, Pendleton King Park is a unique recreation
facility that benefits the entire community. This 64-acre park is located on Troupe Street
and is readily accessible from surrounding neighborhoods. The park is owned by the
"fruste'es of the Pendleton King Estate, and operated and maintained by the City's Trees and
Landscaping Department. Major facilities, and attractions at the park include a large
pavilion, playground equipment, picnic tables and shelters, tennis courts, an arboretum,
and a disc golf course. Because of its size and location, Pendleton King attracts users from
throughout the City, and hosts a number of special events each year.
The Augusta Recreation and Parks Department is the line agency responsible for recreation
facilities and activities. The department's director supervises all programs with the aid of
an assistant director and other administrative personnel. The department has six divisions:
Athletic, Golf Course, Operations, Program, Support Services, and Planning/Development.
In the past five years the department has entered into operating agreements with several
community-based organizations. Under the agreements the organizations agree to operate
selected recreation department facilities and provide volunteers to work at the facilities.
Some of the organizations that have entered into agreements with the department include
the Augusta Rugby Club, the Augusta Rowing Club, Sandridge Neighborhood
Association, and 30901 Development Corporation. The agreements give the organizations
an opportunity to participate in property maintenance and save the department thousands of
dollars in personnel costs.
6.4.1 Park and Recreation Needs
The Recreation and Parks Department is continually planning facility and program
improvements. The department's basic strategy is to develop new facilities to meet the
, needs of growth areas and underser:Ved ..neighborhoods, rehabilitate existing facilities to
maintain their viability, and adapt programs and services to meet changing demands. In
recent years, the Special Purpose Local Options Sales Tax (SPLOST) has helped finance
the construction and rehabilitation of many recreation facilities. Between 1998 and 2002,
51 facilities were rehabilitated and another 9 were constructed with the aid of SPLOST
funds. New facilities include the Aquatics Center, Henry Brigham Swim Center, Blythe
Community Center, the Skateboard Park, Soccer Complex, and Diamond Lakes Regional
Park. Di~mond Lakes is'located on a 236-acre site on Windsor Spring Road in south
Augusta. Phase I improvements at Diamond Lakes include a five-field youth baseball
softball complex, a five-field adult softball complex, two towers featuring a first level
concession and restroom facility, a second level viewing and picnic area, and third level
scoring area, a one-mile walking track, three wooded picnic areas with tables and grills,
and four fully-stocked public fishing ponds. .
6-,] I
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
The department is now planning the expenditure of additional SPLOST funds. A total of
$13.7 million in Phase IV SPLOST funds have been appropriated for recreation
improvements. New facilities under construction include Brookfield West Park, Sand
Hills Park, and McBean Park. A joint library community center is to be built at Diamond
Lakes Park. A number of recreation improvement projects are planned under Phase IV of
the SPLOST, including the following:
o Construct A L. Williams Park (completed)
o Lake Olmstead Multi-Use Trail (completed)
o Old Government I-louse - Improvements
o New Community Building at Soccer Park
o Boathouse Building Renovations
o Blythe Recreation Center Improvements
o WalTen Road Community Center Improvements
o Jones Pool Renovations
o Savannah Place Park Gymnasium
o Building Addition at Doughty Park
o Building Addition at McDuffie Woods Center
6.5 Water and Wastewater Systems
6.5.1 Watcr Systcm
The Augusta Utilities Department is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the
water and sewerage systems in the city. In addition, the Department provides customer
service functions including meter reading and customer billing, revenue collection, and
inspection of new construction. The Department is headed by a director and has 215 full-
time equivalent positions authorized in its FY 1999 - 2000 budget.
Augusta owns and operates a water system serving 58,246 residential and 7,424
commercial and industrial customers as of December 31, 2001. The system's surface water
supply is the Savannah River, supplemented by groundwater wells located throughout the
city. Water from the Savannah River is treated at the Highland Avenue Water Treatment
Plant (WTP). Water from the wells is treated at one of three ground water treatment plans
(GWTP). Water transmission and distribution facilities convey the water from the
treatment plants throughout the 210 square mile water service area. Generally, the service
area can be characterized as having complete water service coverage for potential
customers who wish to connect to the system. Fort Gordon and the cities of Blythe and
Hephzibah provide water service within their respective jurisdictions.
The Savannah River is the city's primary source of surface water. Water is also withdrawn
from the Augusta Canal, which is fed by and located next to the river. Major facilities at
the Raw Water Pumping Station, located on the Canal, include four raw water intakes on
the canal (two primary and two secondary) and a diesel engine-driven standby raw water
pump. The Raw Water Pumping Station has an aggregate pumping capacity of 88 million
gallons daily (mgd).
6~12
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
The raw water supply is pumped to the Highland Avenue Water Treatment Plant through a
system of three parallel raw water lines: a 30-inch diameter cast iron, a 36-inch steel, and
a 60-inch ductile iron line. A 42-inch diameter, pre-stressed concrete cylinder pipe is
currently inactive. The standby raw water supply facility is at the same general location as
the primary facility but pumps water directly from the Savannah River to the Highland
Avenue Water Treatment Plant through the same system ofraw water supply pipelines.
The city is currently permitted to draw up to 60 mgd at the Raw Water Pumping Station.
An additional 15-mgd in pennitted pumping capacity, currently not used, will be dedicated
to a new water treatment plant and intake. The new intake is under construction at a
location on the river below downtown Augusta.
The city is also permitted to withdraw supplemental raw water from the Tuscaloosa
Fomlation aquifer through 32 wells: 26 actively producing, 5 deactivated and 1 inactivate.
The city is currently permitted to use up to 18.4-mgd monthly average groundwater, and
17.4 mgd maximum annual average. We1l1ields are generally located near one of three
Ground Water Treatment Plants (GWTPs). One of the three plants, GWTP #3, located on
Old Waynesboro Road, became operational in 2001. The other two plants date from 1966
and 1979. The wells that have been deactivated are in the vicinity of G WTP # 1 located off
Peach Orchard Road. Augusta holds permits for water sources as noted below in Table C-3
Table C-3 Permitted Withdrawal
Water Withdrawal Permits
Augusta-Richmond County (mgd)
Surface Water Permits Monthly 24 hour Max.
A yerage Day
Primary Source: Savannah River/Augusta 60.0 60.0
Canal EPD Permit No. 121-0191-06
North Location: Savannah River EPD Permit 15.0 18.5
No. 121-0191-'09 (being relocated to the new intake sire) "
Groundwater Permit Monthly Animal
A yerage A yerage
26 Active Wells - located at GWTP Nos. 1, 2,
& 3 and three individual sites (Rural 18.4 17.4
Chlorination Sys.) EPD permit No. 121-0007
Augusta owns four water treatinent plants and a rural chlorination system, as illustrated in
Table C-4. Augusta has raw water storage capacity of approximately 379 acre-feet or 124
million gallons at two raw water storage reservoirs located adjacent to the Highland
A venue WTP.. They provide pre-settling of Suspended matter in the raw water as well- as
storage during times of low river or canal tlows. Water flows by gravity from these
reservoirs to the WTP.
6",13
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
Table C-4
Water Treatment Plants and Chlorination System
Augusta-Richmond County
Rated 2001 Production Date of
Capacity for of Treated Original Oates of
Treatment of Water Construction Improvements
Plant Raw Water (maximum day)
Highland Avenue WTP
Permitted to 60 mgd but improvements, .
are needed before plant can sustain that 1949, 1954,
production level. Current sustainable 60,0 mgd 40.50 mgd . 1939 1987,1994,
capacity is 45,0 mgd 2000
Peach Orchard (CWTP No. I) 5,0 mgd 6.49 mgd 1966 1969, 1996
Highway 56 Loop (CWTP No.2) 10,0 mgd 8,95 mgd . 1979 1985, 1992,
1996
Old Waynesboro Rd. (CWTP No.3) 5,0 mgd 6,08 mgd 2001 N/A
Rural Chlorination System 3,7 mgd I. 77 mgd 1972 Each year since
1981
Total 83.7 mgd 63.97 mgd*
*Current operatin2 limit = 78.4 med
6-]4
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
6.5.2 Finished Water Storage
The' Highland A venue finished water storage supplies the lower pressure zones directly by
gravity while the remainder is pumped to the system's storage facilities located in various
pressure zones. There are five finished water storage tanks (clear wells) at the Highland
Avenue WIP with a total storage capacity of 15.45 MG. The treated water is then fed by
gravity orpumped throughout the water distribution network.
, 6.5.3 Watcr Distribution System
The system'swater distribution consists of approximately 1,010 miles of pipelines, ranging
, in size from 6 inches to 24 inches in diameter. Most of the pipelines are made of cast iron
or .ductile iron. Approximately 20% of these pipelines have been in service for 50 years or
more, with the oldest pipelines installed approximately 140 years ago.
Finished surface. water is distributed from the Highland A venue WTP by gravity and
pumping. Finished ground water is pumped from GWTP No. 1 into the Intenl1ediate-
South pressure and fi'om GWTP No.2 into the Pine Hill pressure gradient (417 ft. MSL).
Distribution system pump stations situated at various locations are used to feed isolated
high-pressure zones.
Table C-5
Surface Watcr Storage Facilities
Augusta-Richmond County
Pressure
. Location Location Systems Capacity
Elevation Served (Gallons)
Highland Ave WTP Clearwell 1 433 N/A 1,250,000
Highland Ave WTP clearwell 2 433 N/A 3,000,000
Highland Ave WTP Clearwell 3 433 N/A 5,000,000
Highland Ave WTP Clearwell 4 433 N/A 1,600,000
Highland Ave WTP Clearwell 5 433 N/A 4,600,000
Total' Clearwells 15,450,000
Berckmans Road 418 420 500,00
Highland Ave WTP Tank 564 564 500,000
Highpoint Tank 564 564 1,000,000
Walton Way Extension 501 500 750,000
Belair Road 630 630 1,000,000
Total Eleyated Storage 3,750,000
6-15
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
Table C-6
Ground Water System Storage Facilities
Augusta-Richmond County
Pressure
Location Location Systems Capacity
Elevation Sen'ed (Gallons)
GWTP No. I Clem'well 162 417 500,000
GWTP No.2 Clearwell 128 457 1,000,000
GWTP No.3 Clearwell 240 521 2,000,000
faircrest A venue 436 597 5,000,000
f aircrest A venue 417 597 500,000
Windsor Spring Road 417 417 500,000
Richmond Hill Road 417 597 500,000
Golden Camp Road 417 597 250,000
Algernon 417 417 2,000,000
Morgan Road (placed in operation Aug. 470 597 5,000,000
2000)
Cedar Ridge 417 521 1,000,000
Pine Hill 457 521 300,000
Rose Hill 412 457 2,000,000
Wallie Drive 457 457 300,000
Total Ground Storage 20,850,000
Pine Hill 521 521 150,000
Highway 56 457 457 500,000
Tobacco Road 597 597 500,000
Fairington Drive 597 597 500,000
Georgetown 597 597 500,000
Lumpkin Road 597 597 250,000
Old Waynesboro Road 521 521 500,000
Greenland Road 597 57 500,000
Total Eleyated Storage .3,150,000
6.5.4 Future Water Needs
Augusta's projection of future water production needs is based on the anticipated total
population, excluding Fort Gordon. The geographical distribution of population is not a
6-16
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
factor in the plant-level planning, but is important with respect to water transmission as
part of the hydraulic distribution of water to customers.
. With the cunent level of conservation, Augusta is expected to experience a small increase
in per capita use over the next 20 years. The Technical Memorandum prepared to analyze
the projected water demand estimates that the system will experience a 2 percent (0.09
percent per year) increase in per capital water usage by the year 2020.
Table C-7 presents Augusta's 2000 and projected per capita water usage in gallons per day.
This usage rate is determined by dividing total water produced by population.' This rate
includes both customer-billed usage plus unaccounted for water. The per capita needs
include residential and commercial usage. Industrial needs are presented separately
because they are not expected to be directly linked to population growth. The projected
annual average production in million gallons per day (mgd) and maximum day production
are intended to be planning-level estimates of the city's future needs.
'i~. .
Table C-7
Projected Water Consumption, 2001 to 2020
Augusta-Richmond County
2000 2010 2020
Total Population 199,775 222,497 242,150
Per Capita Water Usage, gpd (commercial and 151 153 154
residential)
Industrial Usage, mgd 10.3 10.5 10.7
Alillual Avg. Water Usage, mgd 41.3 44.5 :::$) 48.0
Max. Day Water Usage, mgd 61.1 71.2 77.0
Source: Augusta, GA - Water & Sewerage Revenue Bonds, Series 2002, Engineer's
Report, June 13, 2002, Prepared by CH2MHill, Table 3-12.
.
While the city is taking steps to encourage water conservation, the development pattern
and population distribution will also affect the amount of water consumption. As outlined
in the Population Element the, southern part of the city is projected to experience
significant growth that will increase water demand even with conservation measures. In
contrast, the northeastern part of the city is expected to have limited population growth
over the next 20 years, resulting in a relatively small net increase in water demand.
6-17
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
6.5.5 Wastewater Treatment Facilities
The city of Augusta's sanitary sewerage system serves approximately 44,048 residential
and 5,591 commercial and industrial customers (as of December 31, 2001). The sewer
system covers an area of approximately 106 square miles and serves an estimated
population in excess of 150,000. For Gordon and the cities of Hephzibah and Blythe have
separate sewer systems.
Augusta's wastewater collection and conveyance system consists of 8 drainage basins, 28
wastewater pumping stations, and approximately 640 miles of collection sewers. The
sewers transport primarily sanitary sewage, but there is evidence of storm water infiltration
in some of the basins. Approximately 80 percent of the sewer system in drained by
gravity; the remainder requires pumping at least once. Sewer lines range from 8 inches to
72 inches in diameter. Most lines are made of vitrified clay, but other materials present
include brick, concrete, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Approximately 20 percent of the
sewer lines have been in service for 50 years or more.
Augusta owns and operates two wastewater treatment plants: the J. B. Messerly
Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) located on Doug Barnard Parkway, and the Spirit
Creek WWTP on Bennock Mill Road. The Messerly WWTP is the much larger of the two
plants in terms of facilities and treatment capacity (see Table C-8). The Messerly WWTP
has two separate treatment facilities, the North Plant and the South Plant. The North Plant,
constructed in 1976, includes equipment providing primary and secondary treatment with a
capacity of 17.8 million gallons per day (mgd). The South Plant \Vas constructed in 1984
with a design capacity 01'28.4 mgd. Flow equalization basins were added in 1995.
In 1999, the city hired the firm Operations Management International (OM]) to operate and
maintain the Messerly WWTP. OMI also operates the Spirit Creek WWTP. The firm was
hired in the wake of an order by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) for
the city to correct many deficiencies in the wastewater treatment system. Of particular
concern to the EPD was the city's failure to punish industrial customers that inadequately
pre-treat their wastewater. Since taking over management of the Messerly plant, OMI has
issued hundreds of notices to industries for wastewater infractions, and has levied stiff
fines against the violators. According to news accounts, the firm has also achieved cost
savings at the plant.
In 1997, the first stage of a wetlands system was constructed to provide additional
ammonia-nitrogen removal from wastewater at the Messerly plant. The second and third
stages of the wetlands system were completed in 200 I and 2002. The constructed
wetlands, located ona 400-acre site next to the plant, filter sewerage before it is released
into Butler Creek. Discharges from the treatment plant also flow to the river via Butler
Creek.
6-18
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
The Spirit Creek WWTP, constructed ih 1988, serves the Spirit Ci'eek basin in the southern
part of the city. Wastewater is subjected to chlorination and aeration, and passes into the
Savannah River. The plant has a rated treatment capacity of2.23 mgd.
Table C-8
Wastewater Treatment Plants
Augusta-Richmond County
Permitted
Treatment
Capacity 2001 Treated Date of
(monthly Wastewater Original Dates of Receiving
Plant Ay~.) (Max. Day) Construction Improyements Stream
James B. 1976, 1984 Butler Creek
Messerly 46.1 mgd 36.8 mgd 1968 1995, 1997
2001,2002
Spirit Creek 2.24 111gd 3.2 mgd 1988 1995 Spirit Creek
Total 48.34 mgd 40.0 mgd
Source: Augusta, GA - Water & Sewerage Revenue Bonds, Series 2002, Engineer's Report,
June 13,2002, Prepared by CH2MHill, Table 4-1.
6.5.6 Projected Wastewater Flows
A consulting firm, CH2MHill, prepared the Master Plan 2000 for Water and Wastewater
Systems in Augusta. The Plan included projections of wastewater fl9wS to the year 2020.
Factors considered in projecting wastewater flows included population projections and the
prop,ortion of water accounts connected to the wastewater system. The. population
projections for the city indicate that much of the growth will occur in the Spirit and Little
Spirit Creek drainage basins. The proportion of residences and businesses connected to, the
system is expected to increase as new residences and businesses are added and as some
portion of existing residents connect to the system. Table C-9, reprinted from CH2MHill's
Engineer's Report, sU111marized the sewered population,. percentage change in sewered
population and the projected wastewater flows through the two WWTP's.
6:19
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
Table C-9
Wastewater Flows by Plant, 2000 to 2020
Augusta-Richmond County
Plant 2000 2010 2020
Spirit Creek WWTP
Capacity: 3 mgd
Sewered. Population 10,950 24,924 35,577
Percent Change 14.2% 127.6% 42.7%
A verage Annual Flow (mgd) 3.4 7.2 10.0
Max. Month Flow (mgd) 4.0 8.6 12.0
Messerly WWTP
Capacity: 46.1 mgd
Sewered Population 139,732 156,5489 165,603
Percent Change 2.8% 12.0% 5.8%
Average Annual Flow (mgd) 31.5 34.8 36.7
Max. Month Flow (mgd) 37.8 41.8 44.1
Note: Flows will be impacted by changes in the level oflnfiltration/Intlow levels in the
WWTP service areas.
Source: Augusta, GA - Water & Sewerage Revenue Bonds, Series 2002, Engineer's
Report, June 13, 2002, Prepared by CH2MHill, Table 4-4.
The wastewater flow projectiqns reveal two major needs regarding the WWTPs. The first
is that the Spirit Creek WWTP needs to be expanded in the near future to accommodate
projected 1l0ws. The second is that the Messerly WWTP does have sufficient capacity to
treat maximum month wastewater flows.
6.5.7 Water and Wastewater System Improvements
The Master Plan 2000 includes a ten-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the city's
water and sewerage systems. Projects are to be financed by scheduled debt issues in 2000,
2002, 2005 and 2008. The projects include a mix of improvements to water treatment
facilities, the water distribution system, the wastewater treatment plants, the wastewater
conveyance system, and system-wide projects. Table C-l 0 summarized the source and use
of estimated funds for the recommended CIP.
6"20
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
Table C-10
10 Year Capitallmproyement Plan - Cost Estimatcs
Water & Wastewatcr Systems
Augusta-Richmond County
Recommendcd Cost Cost Cost Cost
Estimate Estimate Estimate. Estimate
Improvements 2000 Bonds 2002 Funds 2005 Funds 2008 Funds
Water Treatment F ac i I ities . $28,655,000 $57,829,000 $38,500,000 $ 2,000,000
Water Distribution System 19,789,000 ] 4,739,000 ] 3,700,000 1,500,000
Water Treatment Plants - 8,867,800 33, I 00,000 ] 5,200,000
Wastewater Conveyance 9,322,000 41,2]9,200 20,000,000 4,200,000
System
System- Wide Projects 5,895,000 7,345,000 7,200,000 2, I 00,000
,
to-Year Capital $90,127,000 $130,000,000 $112,500,000 $25,000,000
Improvement Plan
SOURCE: Engineer's Report, Augusta Utilities Department, Water and Sewerage
Revenue Bonds, Series 2000, Appendix C and Engineer's Report, Water
and Sewerage Revenue Bonds, Series 2002, Appendix D.
. ,l._
NOTE: All es'timated costs in 2002 dollars.
The City sold revenue bonds in the year2000to finance the first ,three years (2001-2003)
of the CIP. The year 2000 CIP is summarized in Table C-l1. For the water system, the
CIP pn;)Vides for significant improvements to the lIighland A venue WTP, improvements to
the water distribution system, and pre':'c,onstruction activities (i.e. siting, permitting and
design) for a new water treatment plant. For the wastewater system, the three-year CIP "
provides for significant improvements to the Messerly WWTP and the wastewater'
conveyance system. Improvements to the wastewater conveyance system include
interceptor line upgrades, expansion and extensions, infiltration/inflow reduction, and
extending service to a number of unsewered pockets.
6-21
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
Table C-11
Series 2000 Bond Projects: Summary of Estimated Cost
Augusta-Richmond County
Recommended Improyements Estimated Cost
Water Treatment Facilities $28,655,000
Water Distribution System $19,789,000
Wastewater Treatment Plants $ 9,322,800
Wastewater Conveyance System $26,466,000
System- Wide Projects $ 5,895,000
Total System $ 90,127,000
A second set of revenue bonds was sold in the summer of 2002. The 5-year CIP to be
financed with the Series 2002 bonds is summarized in Table C-12. The CIP provides for
upgrades and development of the water treatment and distribution system, wastewater
conveyance, and \vastewater treatment facilities. For the water system the CIP provides
for significant improvements to the Highland Avenue WTP, improvements to the water
distribution system, and construction of a new water treatment plant. The new water
treatment plant is to be located on a site near the intersection of Tobacco Road and Mike
Padgett Highway. For the wastewater system, the CIP provides for additional
improvements to the Messerly WWTP and expansions and extensions of the wastewater
conveyance system.
Table C-12
Series 2002 Bond Projects: Summary of Estimated Cost
Augusta-Richmond County
Recommended Improyements Estimated Cost
Water Treatment Facilities $57,829,000
Water Distribution System $14,739,000
Wastewater Treatment Plants $ 8,867,800
Wastewater Conveyance System $41,219,000
Svstem- Wide Projects $ 7,345,000
Total System $130,000,000
6-22
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
6.6 Stormwater Management
Richmond County, including Augusta, is situated in the Middle Savannah River drainage
basin. According to the Augusta Watershed Assessment Report (2003), there are nine
drainage basins in the county. The northern portion of the county generally drains in an
eastern and southeastern direction and includes Rock, Rae's, Oates, Rocky and Butler
Creeks. Spirit Creek, including Little Spirit Creek, drains the central paI1 of the county.
McBean Creek drains the southeastern part, and Sandy Run Creek and Boggy Gut Creek,
both tributaries to Brier Creek, drain the southwest portion. The ninth drainage basin,
commonly referred to as the River's Edge, includes the' downtown area along the Augusta
canal, the area near Phinizy Swamp, and the area south of the swamp.
The municipal stormwater drainage system includes a variety of inlets, catch basins, drain
pipes, open channels, culverts, detention and retention ponds and outlet structures.
Generally speaking, in the urban service district stornlwater is collected in catch basins and
piped to a receiving channel or creek located in one of the major drainage basins. In the
suburban service district, storm water from residential and commercial development is
usually piped to a retention pond. The retention pond holds the StOl1l1 water and releases it
at a controlled rate either into the city's conveyance system or into a natural drainage area.
The city of Augusta has adopted a watershed approach to protect and improve water.
quality in local streams and the Savannah River. The city's storm water regulations require
all new commercial and residential development to maintain runoff release rates at pre-
development levels. More stringent requirements are in place for development in the Rock,
Rae's and Rocky Creek basil1s. These three basins have been heavily impacted by urban
development.
The city holds a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal
Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit issued on April 14, 2000. In February 2003,
, the city submitted a Consolidated Stormwater Management Program to the Georgia
Environmental Protection :Qivision. The city's stormwater management program includes
. the following components:
. Structural and Source Control Measures - This program is designed to reduce,
pollutants in runoff from commercial 'and residential development. Major activities
under this' program include maintenance of structural controls, establishing post-
construction controls over new development, cleaning public streets, flood water
quality assessment, iTIonitoring of runoff frqm the city's landfill, reducing pollutants
used in environmental control, and administering and enforcing local development
ordinances and programs. Examples of regulations and programs affecting storn1water
drainage. and water quality. include the Storn1\vater Management. Ordinance and
Technical Manual, the Flood Damage ,Prevention Ordinance, the Soil Erosion and
Sediment Control Ordinance, the Site Plan and Subdivision Regulations, the Zoning
Ordinance, and the Community Greenspace Program. The Greenspace and Natural
6-23
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
Resources chapter provides more infonnation on these and other ordinances affecting
water drainage and quality.
. Detect and Eliminate Illicit Discharges - In recent years the city has completed a
series of capital improvement projects to eliminate the last of the Combined Sewer
Overflows (CSOs). The city now has eliminated all known CSOs by separating storm
and sanitary sewer flows. There is an ongoing eff0l1 by the Augusta Utilities
Department (AUD) toreplace the aging sewer conveyance system, address infiltration /
inflow problems and extend sanitary sewer service to pockets currently served by
septic tanks. Other measures being undertaken include periodic evaluation of
. significant discharge. facilities, field screening of highly visible potential pollutant
sources, enforcing existing ordinances andenacting new ones as ilecessary, responding
to public complaints about discharges, and establishing procedures to prevent, contain
and respond to spills.
. Industrial Monitoring Program - This program involves i110nitoring and controlling
pollutants in storm water discharges from the city's system, the landfill, hazardous
waste treatment and disposal and recovery facilities, industrial facilities subject to the
Superfund Act, and industrial facilities that the city determines are contributing a
substantial pollutant loading to the system.
. Reduce Pollutants from Construction Sites - This includes site planningl
development of appropriate structural and non structural Best Management Practices
(BMPs), inspection of construction sites, enforcement measures for noncompliance,
and educational and training measures for construction site operators. Many of the
methods and techniques needed to minimize the impact of construction on storm water
quality are addressed under existing ordinances and regulations.
. Outreach and Public Education - Metro Augusta Clean and Beautiful and the
EcoSystems Institute coordinate public awareness and participation in activities to
prevent stormwater pollution and improve water quality. Activities include stream
cleanup, workshops, educational programs, classes, tours and the dissemination of
information through websites. The city is also developing an outreach program to
highlight water quality issues. The outreach program will include visits to schools;
presentations to civic groups, neighborhood associations, and homebuilders; and
dissemination of information through the Internet, newsletters, mailings and flyers.
. Activities in Impacted Water Bodies - According to analysis done as part of the
Augusta Watershed Assessment (2003), water quality in Augusta's streams is good-to-
excellent except for fecal coliform levels. Segments of three streams - Spirit Creek,
Butler Creek, and Rocky Creek - are listed on the active 303 (d) list for fecal coliform.
Butler Creek is also listed for Dissolved Oxygen and Selenium, and Rocky Creek is
listed for toxicity. The city will take the following steps to address the problems in
these three water bodies; delineate the limits of the drainage basin, conduct field
assessment to identify possible sources of pollution, evaluate the impact of possible
6-24
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
pollution sources, implement measures to address the pollution, and implement
appropriate preventive measures.
Damaging floods in recent years highlighted the need for improvements to the st0ll11 water
drainage system and changes to local development ordinances. All of the major drainage
basins have been the focus of engineering studies in recent years. Projects resulting from
the studies have included new retention facilities, channel improvements, upgrades to
drainage pipes and installation of new bridges and culverts. The Short Term Work
Program lists some of the 'drainage projects that have yet to be completed. The U. S. Anny
Corps of Engineers is completing the Regional Flood Control Feasibility Study. This study
will include recommended structural and ,nQn-structural drainage improvement projects in
the following basins: Rae's Creek, Rocky Creek, the Augusta Canal and Phinizy Swamp.
6.7 Solid Waste Management
The Augusta-Richmond County Solid Waste, Facility (the landfill), located at 4330 Deans
Bridge Road, operates as an enterprise fund (i.e., it is funded by dollars generated from
tipping fees). and receives municipal solid waste generated in the CSRA. Following
consolidation of the city and county in 1996, solid waste collection service was gradually
extended from the Urban Services District (the former city) to parts of the Suburban
Services District. The goal was to provide area-wide solid waste collection service. As of
2002 approximately 85% of the suburban area is served by the city-provided collection
sen:ices. The service will be extended to the entire suburban area in the next few years.
Collection services also include curbside recycling and bulky waste collection. The Solid
Waste Facility also has a courtesy drop off area for residents to dispose of one to two bags
of household waste at no charge. The waste collected at the courtesy drop off area is
moved to the landfill active-area by the facility staff. To keep the recyclable waste out of
the waste stream, the facility operations also include metal recycling, scrap tire recycling
and composting operations.
Private haulers provide solid waste 'collection and disposal services t6 commercial,
institutional and industrial customers. . Private companies provide dumpsters, compactors
and roll-off containers to their customers. and dispose of collected solid waste at the
landfill. The haulers have contracts with the city to provide these services and equipment.
The city will continue to cut down on the amount of solid waste generated and disposed of
in the landfill, primarily by encouraging more recycling. The city. provides curbside
recycling as a part of its area-wide waste collection services and has established recycling
drop off locations at fire stations.
The solid waste facility is located on part of aI, 187 acre site off Deans Bridge Road in
South Richmond County, and is the ,only public municipal solid waste (MSW) Subtitle 0
landfill located in the Richmond County. Of the total acreage, 790 acres are usable for
landfill. The landJill started operations in 1987. Initially a 100-acre part of the area
designated for solid waste operation was used. This section of the landfill was not lined
6.25
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
and was properly closed in 1994 to comply with the new solid waste federal and state
regulations that required installation of liners and leachate collection and monitoring
systems.
In 1994 a new lined section with a leachate collection system (Subtitle D) was constructed
on an approximately 92-acre area with a footprint of 40.8 acres for solid waste disposal.
This section is expected to reach its design capacity in early 2005 and will be properly
closed. A 437-acre tract is proposed for development as a Subtitle 0 landfill expansion
directly east of the currently permitted Landfill. Of the 437 acres in the expansion area,
310 acres are planned for waste disposal. This section is currently in the permitting phase.
The permitting process is most likely to be completed by the end of 2003 and construction
at the new section will staI1 in late 2004. This section is expected to open in 2005 and will
have a useful life of over 50 years.
The landfill is staffed by county employees and is operated as a division of the Public
Works and Engineering Department. The landfill is currently receiving approximately 650
tons of solid waste per day. As of April 1, 2000, tipping fees at the landfill were: $32.50
per ton for general, mixed or demolition waste; $16.75 per ton for inert waste; $20.00 per
cubic yard for asbestos; and $1.25 and $5.00 each of car or small truck, and tractor tires,
respectively. Metals and tires are stored separately and sold to recyclers. The landfill's
year-2002 operating cost was approximately $26 per ton.
The landfill is in compliance with Georgia Solid Waste Management Act of 1990, and all
applicable federal and state rules and regulations. The facility is operating under the 1998
Solid Waste Management Plan that will be updated in 2003 for next five years.
6.8 Cultural Facilities
6.8.1 Libraries
The East Central Georgia Regional Library serves the six counties of Burke, Columbia,
Glascock, Lincoln, Richmond and Warren. The headquarters branch for the system is
located at 902 Greene Street in downtown Augusta. There are four other branches in the
city: Appleby Branch, 2260 Walton Way; Friedman Branch, 1447 Jackson Road; Maxwell
Branch, 1927 Lumpkin Road, and Wallace Branch, 1237 Laney-Walker Boulevard. The
Talking Book Center for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is located across the
parking lot from the headquarters building. The region is also served by a bookmobile,
which visits daycare centers and group housing facilities.
The library offers a wide range of services including videotapes, audio books, reference
sources and computers with Internet access as well as print books. It has programming for
all age levels from preschool through classes for senior citizens. The summer concert series
in the Appleby Branch gardens is a longstanding tradition.
A SPLOST -funded branch library is planned for a shared facility with a recreation center at
Diamond Lakes Park. Groundbreaking is planned for summer of 2003 with an opening
6-26
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
date in early 2005 and is funded by the SPLOST. SPLOST nioney also has been allocated
for a new headquarters library, to be located on a site in downtown Augusta. The exact site
has not been determined and additional funding will be needed to complete the project.
6.8.2 Museums
The Augusta Museum of History is located at 560 Reynolds Street in a 45,000 square
foot building that opened in 1995. A 10,000-square-foot addition, to be used as archive
and storage space, is scheduled to open in the fall of 2003. Pel111anent exhibits include
"Augusta's Story", the community's medical history, a restored 1917 -steam locomotive and
a reconstructed 1930s gas station, Visitors can clean cotton in a replica cotton gin and
view a 56-foot long Petersburg boat. Children can learn history through interactive
exhibits in the "Susan L. Still Children's Discovery Gallery". Documentaries are shown
continuously and there is a museum shop.
The Morris Museum of Art is housed in the Augusta Riverfront Center located on the
Riverwalk in downtown Augusta. The museum is home to a broad-based survey collection
of Southern Art. A series of galleries include works from the antebellum period, Civil War
Art, the Black Presence in Southern Art, Southern Impressionism, early 20th century
painting and contemporary works. The museum also includes Southern Landscape
paintings and a gallery for changing exhibitions. The museum's Center for the Study of
Southern Art is a reference and research library on more than 1,000 artists who have
worked in the South. The museum store offers exhibition catalogues, art books,
handcratled jewelry and unique gift items. William S. MOlTis, Ill, chainnan and CEO of
Morris Communications Corporation, established the museum in memory of his parents. .
The Lucy Craft Laney House and Museum of Black History is located at 1116 Phillips
Street in the Laney-Walker Historic District. Restored in the late 1980s by Delta House,
Inc., the house includes a conference center, computer center and period garden. Programs
include art and history exhibits, lectures and tours, Youth Leadership Academy, and senior
citizens activities.
The Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art is located at 506 Telfair Street in the historic
"Ware's Folly" building. The Gertrude Herbert serves as the CSRA's only independent
non-profit art school and gallery. The Institute offers visual arts education opportunities
for students of all ages, provides outreach instruction to elementary school students and
senior citizens, and hosts at least six major exhibits of contemporary art each year.
Augusta is also home to house museums reflecting the diverse history and culture of the
community. Table C-13 lists the major 110use museums in the city.
6-27
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
Table C-13
Augusta House Museums
Name & Location
Meadow Garden (c.1795)
1320 Independence Drive
Ezekiel Harris House (c.1797)
1822 Broad Street
Boyhood l-Iome of Woodrow
Wilson (c.1850)
419 Seventh Street
Lucy Craft Laney House and
Museum of Black History
(c.1911)
1116 Phillips Street
6.8.3 Augusta Welcome Center
Description
Built for George Walton, the youngest original signer
of the Declaration of Independence and twice
Georgia Governor. It is the oldest documented house
in Augusta.
Built by tobacco merchant Ezekiel Harris, this
Federal-era style house is a reminder of Augusta's
importance as a colonial-era trading center.
The future president lived here from 1860-1870
during the years his father served as pastor of the
First Presbyterian Church. The house was recently
restored by Historic Augusta, Inc.
Lucy Laney was born into slavery yet went on to
become one of the most outstanding educators in
post-Civil War Georgia. She started Augusta's first
black kindergarten and nurses' training program.
Restored in the late 1980s by Delta House, Inc., the
house includes a conference center, computer center
and period garden. Programs include m1 and history
exhibits, lectures and tours, Youth Leadership
Academy, and senior citizens activities.
For the past 12 years the city's Visitor Welcome Center has been located in the historic
Cotton Exchange building at the corner of Eighth and Reynolds Street near. The center,
operated by the Augusta Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), has
infonnation on area attractions and events. Visitors can also set up tours of historic
Augusta at the center. The Cotton Exchange building also contains artifacts from the days
when the c.1886 structure housed the local cotton exchange. The building was the center
of activity for Augusta cotton brokers, especially from the late nineteenth to early twentieth
century.
6-28
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
In January 2004 the Welcome Center will move to the first floor of the Augusta Museum
of History. Georgia Bank and Trust will occupy the space in the Cotton Exchange building
vacated by the Welcome Center.
6.8.4 Fort Discovery
The National Science Center's F0l1 Discovery is an interactive math and science museum
located at #l Seventh Street adjacent to Riverwalk. The two floors of F0I1 Discovery
cover 128,000 square feet and house more than 280 interactive exhibits. Other facilities
include science teacher learning labs, a theatre, retail store, meeting space and a restaurant.
Interactive exhibits focus on three technologies: electronics, computer arts. and
, ,
communications. The National Science Center (NSC) represents a partnership between a
non-profit organization (National Science Center, Inc.) and the U. S. Army. The primary
mission of the NSC is to improve technical literacy and to encourage an interest in math
and science careers.
6.9 Ciyic Center, Auditoriums and Performing Arts Center
Augusta has a civic center, auditoriums and performing arts facilities used to host a wide
variety of events and performances. The major facilities are listed below.
6.9.1 Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center
The Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center, which opened in 1979, is located at 601
Seventh Street in downtown Augusta. The Civic Center Complex features an 8,500-seat
arena, 2,690-seat theater (i.e. Bell Auditorium) and 14,500 square foot exhibit hall that
opens into a 23,000 square foot arena floor. The Center has eight permanent concession
stands and offers barrier-free seating. The Center annually hosts the Augusta Futurity, an
eight-day event, the National Barrel Horse Championships, and springtime and Christmas
Made in the South. The Civic Center is als~ home to the Augusta Lynx of the East Coast
Hockey League. The Center was home to the Augusta Stallions and arena football teaJ11
for three seasons between 2000 an'd 2002.
6.9.2 Bell Auditorium
Part of the Civic Center Complex, the 2,690-seat theater is Augusta's principal arena for
Broadway productions, musical acts, and local school performances~ The Bell opened in
1938 and underwent extensive renovations in the late 1980s. The Bell is located at 712
Telfair Street in downtown Augusta.
6.9.3 Imperial Theatre
The Imperial Theatre is located at 745 Broad Street in downtown Augusta. The theater
opened as "The Wells" in February 1918, and hosted vaudeville acts and such stars as
Charlie Chaplin. The theater was renamed the Imperial after being purchased by Lynch
Enterprises in late 1918. The Imperial also served Augusta as a motion picture theater for
6-29
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
many years. The theater, which currently has 903 seats, was restored in 1985 and began its
second life as a performing arts center. Today it hosts a variety of performances, including
productions of the Augusta Ballet and the Augusta Opera.
6.9.4 Sacred Heart Cultural Center
The Sacred Heart Cultural Center is located at 1301 Greene Street in downtown Augusta.
This late Victorian era edifice (c.1898) served as a Catholic Church from 1900 to 1971.
The church was restored in the mid-1980s under the auspices of a local partnership. It
reopened as the Cultural Center and now serves the community both as a home for non-
profit organizations and as a unique venue for culttiral and social events.
6.9.5 Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre
The Grover C. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre is located at 2500 Walton Way on the
campus of Augusta State University. The theatre is a 750-seat facility used for a wide
variety of musical events and plays. The facility is available to both on-campus and off..
campus users.
6.1 () Other Attractions
6.1 0.1 Rivenvalk Augusta
Riverwalk Augusta is a riverside park conceived in 1982 as a part of a revitalization plan
for downtown Augusta. Developed in phases between 1986 and 1992, this award-winning
facility includes a brick-paved esplanade atop the river levee, a shaded walkway on the
river side of the bulkhead, a playground and picnic area, the Jessye Norman Amphitheater,
three landscaped bulkheads, and breaches in the levee at Eighth and Tenth Streets. A full-
service marine was added in 1994. The park hosts a variety of special events each year and
is close to other major attractions.
6.10.2 Augusta Golf and Gardens
Augusta Golf and Gardens, future home of the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, currently
consists of eight acres of display gardens, including a butterfly garden, rose garden and
pergola garden. The gardens are also home to bronze sculptures of golf legends such as
Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Raymond Floyd, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Byron
Nelson. The attraction will eventually encompass 17 acres along the Savannah River levee
in downtown Augusta, and will include a 55,000 square-foot facility housing the Hall of
Fame rotunda interactive exhibits, a 150-seat theater, a garden and a gift shop.
6.10.3 Springfield Village Park
Located on two acres at the intersection of Twelfth and Reynolds Streets, this park pays
tribute to Springfield Baptist Church, the oldest independent African-American
congregation in. the United States with an unbroken record of existence. The park includes
6-30
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
walkways, floral landscaping fountains, and the 45-foot tall sculpture "The Tower of
Aspirations". Planned improvements include artifact and living history museums.
Springfield Baptist Church is located ~cross the street from the park.
6..10.4 Augusta Common
The Augusta Common is a 2Y2-acre park located in the 800 block of Broad Street in
downtown Augusta. The park opened in October 2002 and is designed to connect Broad
Street to the revitalized riverfront area. Park amenities include paved walkways, park
benches, trees, raised planting beds, lighting fixtures, historical markers, and a statue of the
city's founder, James Oglethorpe. Since opening, the Common has hosted a variety of
festivals, music shows and special events. '
6.10.5 Lake Olmstead Stadium
Lake Olmstead Stadium, located on Milledge Road, is the home of the Class "A" Augusta 'r-
Greenjackets baseball team. The Greenjackets play in the South Atlantic League and have
an affiliation agreement with the Boston Red Sox. Lake Olmstead Stadium was built
during the fall and winter of ] 994-95, replacing Heaton Stadium. The Stadium seats
approximately 4,400 and has a large picnic area clown the left field line and a grill and bar
area down the right fie'ld line. In addition to being the home of the Greenjackets, the
stadium hosts concerts and special events throughout the year.
6.10.6 Phinizy Swamp Nature Park
Located on 1,100 acres near Augusta Regional Airport, Phinizy Swamp Nature Park offers
visitors an opportunity to see a variety of wildlife and vegetation in a natural setting.
Established in 1999, the park offers education and research opportunities for students and
teachers, and gives residents and visitors a chance to interact with nature in many ways.
The park enjoys growing support from a variety of volunteers including individuals,
families, non-profit organizations, corporations, area school systems, and governrnent.
Facilities at the park include seven trails, two observation decks; and a wooden.footbriqge.
An education facility is under construction, and upcoming projects include the" re-design of
a,parking area, construction of a new research faCility, visitor's center and restrooms, and
completion of the Floodplain Boardwalk extension project. The park is operated by the
non-profit Southeastern Natural Sciences Acapemy.
6.10.7 Augusta Canal National Heritage Area
The Augusta Canal National Heritage Area (i.e. The Augusta Canal) is among the nation's
best examples of a 19th Century industrial canal system. Constructed in 1845, and enlarged
in 1876, the, canal continues to provide power to historic mills alongside its banks, supplies
water to the city, and forms a boat channel stretching approximately 8 mi,Ies from the
Headgates in Columbia County to downtown Augusta. A number of historic structures
associated with the canal still stand: the locks and dam at the headwaters, the lock keepers
cottage, a dance pavilion and barbecue shed, Sibley Mill, King Mill, the Confederate
Powder Works Chimney, Enterprise Mill (recently renovated into loft apartments and
6-31
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
commercial space), and the Butt Memorial Bridge. Several historic neighborhoods adjoin
the canal. The canal and its towpath tie these resources together, providing a ready-made
walking (or canoeing) venue for lIsers.
The canal is managed by the Augusta Canal Authority and is being revitalized in
accordance with a master plan that includes a combination of preservation, conservation,
education and interpretation, recreation and economic development activities. Among the
projects either underway or in the design phase are the Bikeway/Multi-Use Trail
Improvements, restoration of historic structures at the Headgates, Restoration of the Locks
and Headgates Building, and Petersburg Boat (Tour Boat) construction. The Augusta
Canal Interpretive Center, located in the Enterprise Mill, opened to the public in April
2003.
6.11 Hospitals and Related Health Care Facilities
Augusta has a long history of service in the field of medicine. As a result, medical care,
research and education facilities are vital to community life and the area economy. There
are several major medical facilities in Augusta employing thousands of people. These
facilities include acute care hospitals, psychiatric facilities, and extended care centers.
Several of these facilities are located in a medical complex near downtown, and others are
on individual sites elsewhere in the City. In addition to the facility-based employment,
there are 1, I I I physicians in private practice and many other residents employed in
nursing homes, chiropractic clinics, dental offices, medical and dental laboratories, and
other health services.
6.11.1 Universif)' Hospital
A 612-bed acute care facility located at the intersection of Walton Way and D'Antignac
Street. University Hospital is part of the University Health Care System that employs
approximately 3,000 people. Hospital services and facilities are numerous and include the
W. G. Watson, M.D. Women's Center, the Georgia Heart Institute, University's Cancer
Center, and the University Breast Health Center. University Home Health Services
provides care to more than 3,000 patients in Georgia and South Carolina. University also
operates two nursing facilities, Kentwood and Westwood. Besides the hospital, other
facilities on the main campus include four professional office buildings, outpatient..
treatment facilities, three parking decks, and surface parking lots. Satellite medical centers
are located on Peach Orchard Road in south Augusta and on Belair Road in Evans
(Columbia County).
6.11.2 Veterans Affairs Medical Center
This two-division medical center, operated by the United States Department of Veterans
Affairs, provides tertiary care in medicine, surgery, neurology, psychiatry, rehabilitation
medicine, and spinal cord injury. With emphasis on providing the most appropriate care,
out outpatient visits exceed 244,000 annually. In addition to health care, the Augusta V A
is an active teaching and research facility that employs approximately I ,900 people.
6-32
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
The Downtown Division is a 155-bed acute care facility located at the intersection of
Fifteenth Street and Walton Way in Augusta. This division provides primary care,
surgical, neurosciences and spinal cord injury treatment for veterans. A Women Veterans
Clinic, Agent Orange/Gulf War Examinations, Former POW and other registry services are
offered at this division,
The Uptown Division, located at the intersection of Wrightsboro Road and Freedom Way,
has 165 beds. I n addition to psychiatry and intermediate medicine beds, this division
houses a 15-bed Blind Rehabilitation Center, a 60-bed Restorative Nursing Home Care
Center and a 60-bed Domiciliary. Specialty programs include Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, hospice and residential care.
6.11.3 St. Joseph Hospital
A 236-bed acute care facility located at the intersection of Winter Street and Wrightsboro
Road in Augusta. The hospital offers a wide range of medical and surgical services
including the only hospital-based, inpatient hospice unit in the state of Georgia. St. Joseph
is a member of the Carondelet Health System and employs about 900 people.
6.11.4 Walton Rehabilitation Hospital
A. 58-bed not-for-profit hospital located at the intersection of Thirteenth Street and
Independence Drive in downtown Augusta. The hospital offers adult and pediatric
inpatient and outpatient programs for persons recovering from stroke, head injuries,
chronic pain and. other disabling illnesses and injuries. Walton's continuum of care
includes Walton Community Services offering residential and assisted living options to
individuals with' disabilities. Walton Options for Independent Living offers accessible
housing, employment, assistive technology, alternative formats and advocacy, and Walton
Foundation for Independence, which supports all of the above organizations. The Walton
organizations employ approximately 300 people.
6.11.5 Doctors Hospital
Doctors Hospital is a 354-bed full-service facility and home to the nationally acclaimed
Joseph M. Still Burn Center. The hospital is locat~d on J. Dewey Gray Circle in west
Augusta. Doctors Hospital was recently. named one of the 100 Top Hospitals TM, a
national award for superior performance by, hospitals with regard to high quality of care,
e!licient delivery of care and value to its patients and community. The hospital employs
approximately 1,000 full-time anq pm1-time staff. .
6.11.6 Georgia Regional Hospital at Augusta (GRHA)
A 269-bed, licensed, state-suPP0l1ed facility located at 3405 Mike Padgett Highway in
south Augusta. The facility serves consume~'s with disabilities including mental illnesses,
substance abuse and mental retardation. The hospital is designated as an Emergency
6-33
Chapter 6- Community Facilities and Services
Receiving Facility for mental illness and. drug abuse for Regions 3 and 12 which
encompass a 23 county area in East Central Georgia. The facility is operated by the
Georgia Department of Human Resources and employs approximately 500 people.
6.11. 7 G racewood State School and Hospital
A 500-bed, state-supp0l1ed facility located off Tobacco Road in south Augusta.
Gracewood provides residential and other services to mentally retarded clients from a 47-
county service area. The hospital is operated by the Georgia Department of Human
Resources and employs about 1,200 people.
6.11.8 Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center
A 426-bed hospital located at Fort Gordon in south Augusta. The facility ofTers medical
care to active duty military personnel, military retirees and family members, and is the
regional tertiary-care referral center for all the armed forces in seven southeastern states,
Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean. Eisenhower is operated by the U. S. Army and employs
approximately 2,000 people.
6. t 1.9 Medical College of Georgia (MCG) and Hospitals
MCG is the health sciences school for the University System of Georgia. Founded in 1829
at a location in downtown Augusta, MCG currently occupies a campus in the area roughly
bounded by the triangle formed by Harper Street, Fifteenth Street and R. A. Dent Blvd. A
number of other MCG facilities are located nearby. In addition to teaching, research,
clinics and housing facilities, the MCG campus includes the 544-bed Eugene Talmadge
Memorial Hospital and Sydenstricker Wing, the 340,000 square-foot Ambulatory Care
Center, and the five-story, 149-bed Children's Medical Center. MCG also features the
Georgia Radiation Therapy Center, a regional trauma center, and a regional perinatal
center. Approximately 6,300 people are employed throughout the MCG complex.
6-34
~
~tz
"" . 9 Ii> I>
[8]+...
'TlG)"'U"'U
-n ,.... :::c c: -. 0 III C
,;v UJ 0 0' ""I :::!.- 0'
OOen""lCD<",=
III :::;;-0 III (f) CD en 0
0. () ;::+ :::!. _ 3 Qo (f)
eno~CD2t3 0
C en en -. ;0 :::r
""I OCDCDo
g; ~~Q2.
en --CD en
rill
III ~.
~ 0
;:)
m"Tl
3. III
o 0
...,=:
0;::+
CD -.
3 ~
CD
;:)
-
i ! H~
r i I~;
· I' r 'j
D: 8', :I!
I~ f~ ii:
q H l',
r~ lol .1'1 .
H i PI"'
II \ i r I
'r .. . fi n
~ I- I' ' ,
'J 4 J I iJ F
I.. I,. J
~~ H "I; .
J! h if;
~~ ", 1~.
U ~ i~!
(I ~ i Ht
pt. II' "I..
~ '!.'1'
~ ! f r~
. .:l'
j ,
n
Q
8
e
=:
=
....
~
~
~
r')
....
-
....
:::to
~
~
tIl
"Tl
III
~
;::+
CD'
en
. . ., :..... .
....::,.... .
..... .
... .
" .
:::'::::::'::. .
... .
. . . . .
... .
::::::::::::::::::,,:. ,
..:....,.: ...,.
.... .
, . . . .
. . , . . . .
... .
.. ....,.
. : :: : : : : : : : . . . . . .
: : . : : : : : .. : : . " .
"'::::..: ,
..::...., .. ..
..... .,...
.. ......,. .
. . . .. ......:.
. . . . . .. ......':..
CD
c:
...
"
CD
(')
o
c:
:s
~
......., .
..... ...
, . . . .
. . . : : .. . . .
.. . : : : . . . . .
(')
2.
>
~
~
rJ}
S"
I
?:l
_.
()
S-
O
:;j
0-
n
o
c
:;j
9
o
>
tTl
<.OD[!]~D
~~~(J)G)::O)>
--., 0) CD C , 0) C
oct=::::J.o:ECO
,,(J)O)c C
~(J) ga.~!e.
0)- 0)0)
_0 <<-
CD~ <<CD<
,'" 0)0)'<
rCO - - - 0)
_. CD CD CD :J -
:J ,,_CD
CD-l -l-l0)'
(J)O) ,,"'(J)
:J CD CD CD. CD
'" 0) 0) :2
33 -.
CD CD (')
:J:J CD
-- )>
,
CD
0)
r-
m
G)
m
z
c
..
:E
ootz
~
=
0-
==
f")
~
=
li
"'t
r;r.;.
<<
I'I.l
....
~
e
>
l::
(JQ
l::
V:J
S-
f
::=0
.....
()
~
~
0-
n
o
l::
~
:<
C1
>
'U'U
IDID
:J :J
--
! i H!
~ i pi
f; rf tli
~ I~ r.t.
.. '. [4
r,". .'
.' lo iri
"11 t; i,l .
,i ir ~
~f I' ,~! ~
f~ gJ Ii I e
~; it H' r
jE[:fl~f
i. ,I ]! t
II fI I~!
': ~, .H
f {;..
~ I Ht
j i n'
""-~
... =
.. ;>
10.,..
~ ~ OJ
a. "go
'" -
= ,.,
..... .
..... .
..,.. ,
......"........ .
, . . . . . .
....,. .
......, .
. . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . :
. . . . .
.... .
.... ,
.... .
. . . . : : ..
.. . . : : : : :
....., ,
...... .
. .. . . . : : :
...... ,
'.", .
. . . . . .
..,. .
...... .
..... .,
:::::::::
..:::::: :
. . . . . ,
..... .
OJ
c
.,
~
CD
o
o
c
=
~
....... .
....,. .
. . . .. . . : : : .
,.., .
,.. ,
. . . . ,
.,., .
......:: :i~~i,:::'"
....... liS
"""" "'" ~"'~"'::::::::::
:::: ,:, & ,:':
z. .......:::
..,.. .
...,. .
.... .
. . . . . ,
..... .
...... .
...... ,
...... .
.::::::::: :
. . . . . .
...,. .
. . . . , .
..... .
..... .
.... .
. . . . .
.". .
. . . . . . : ' .
o
o
-
c:
3
r:T
ii)'
o
o
c:
=
~
1;:0
~
)>
~
(1)
~
o
o
c
~
~
en
o
.-..
C
:::J
a.
CD
..,
8;0
~~
--
..,
c
()
-
o'
:J
'-"
~
~tz
<~D
(J)~)>
~ Q) C
(fj(llCO
.., ::;r C
Q) '" (II
co~Q)
CD_(J)
c:~CD
::J~~
CD .., CD
(II CD ..,
Q) Q)
_CO
3 CD
CD (J)
::J CD
-<
"U -.
~~
-)>
(0
Q)
r-
m
Q
m
z
c
II
1 !. Iii'
11' .. !..
i 1 ,r'
" .f ~i'~
I ~ ii r. i'
q ~. i"
r. . ..
l"l II Hi
I ,[ pi "
if i: Pi J
IJ S. if! :
l. :,t D i; a
~i.irl,~r
!I [ II! ~
~~.iil:-~
IS ii n~
'I ~. i~!
'. "it
t {~..
~ i Hi
j i H'
tr1
. . . . . . . : .
".. .
. . . . ,
. . . . . . . . .
" : : : . ,
,.. .
... .
.... .
...... ,
..... .
..... .
,..... :
. . . .
. . . .
... .
...".,..... ....
..... .
........ .
... .
.... .
. . . . . .
... .
... .
" ,
.......... .
" ,
..... ,
ED
c
...
="='"
(1)
n
o
c
~
~
. , . . .
.... .
, . . . . .
" : : : : : : : :
. . .. '"
':':::];~~~
" r~<
... .
... .
..,. .
. . . . . .. : : : .
.. " . : : : :
. . , .
..,. .
,..... ,
.... .
.......:....... :
.,...... .
. . . , , . . :
.., .
.......: :
... .
.,. ,
n
o
C
3
C"
Di'
n
o
c:
:J
~
... .
... .
...,. ,
..... .
.,.. .
)>
~
CD
::J
(")
o
C
::J
~'<
en
(")
'-
~.~.
g5=~~Z~
o.~~~~a
1Il~-iro~CD
~~~Q):;'
o.~ctro~
lJen-'-':;
OCD"UC:~
Oc::-:J--
~CIiQ)CD-
CD-,3.1Il3
Ciir- "'0
3' 3 a
CD "'0 <
III -, CD
o 3
ai CD
3 3.
CD III
:J
.-
III
:E
~.z
trl
"--'
m
c
.,
~
C!)
o
o
c
::s
~
o
o
c
3
C"
;'
o
o
c
::s
-
'<
~
~
C!)
::s
o
o
c
::s
-
~
en
o
Chapter 7 - Historic Resources
7. Historic Overview
The Creek Indians, whose lower trading paths passed through the area, first inhabited
Augusta and Richmond County. The first Europeans to visit the area were members of
an expedition led by the Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto, around 1540. The area
around Augusta was settled by English fur traders just prior to the city's founding. One
of these early settlements, known as St. Paul's Parish, was settled mainly by people from
Virginia and North Carolina.
In 1736, British General James Edward Oglethorpe had surveyor Noble Jones layout the
. first f0l1y lots for what would become Augusta. In taking this action, Oglethorpe was
motivated, in part by a desire to control the fur trade, which was already flourishing at
Fort Moore on the South Carolina side of the Savannah River. Named in honor of
Princess Augusta, wife of the Prince of the Wales, the city developed as a trade center
(fur, tobacco, cotton) and gateway for new settlers heading west to other parts of Georgia.
Richmond County, one of the eight original counties in Georgia, was formed from St.
Paul's Parish in 1777. The county was named in honor of the Duke of Richmond,
Charles Lenos, a friend of some of the settlers in America. Columbia and McDu1lie
Counties were later f01l11ed from parts of Richmond County. During the American
Revolution, the British used Augusta as a communications center. When Light Horse
Harry Lee captured Augusta in 1781, the British had to relinquish their claim to most of
Georgia. Augusta then served as the capital of Georgia from 1785 to 1795.
,Tobacco was the dominant cash crop in the early years of the county. The invention of
the cotton gin made cotton a more profitable crop than tobacco. Eli Whitney, the
inventor of the cotton gin, built one of his early prototypes on Rocky Creek in the county.
By 1820, the Augusta area was the terminus for riverboats, barges, wagon trains, and
traders carrying staples and produce to be shipped to overseas markets.
During the Ante-Bellum period, area residents began to realize the importance of
processing alJd manufacturing goods made from cotton and other crops. Tn 1834, John
Schley located a factory, called Belleville, on Butler Creek. In the same year, William
Schley, George Schley, and Daniel Cook built Richmond Factory on Spirit Creek. In
1845, the Augusta Canal was constructed through the western part of the city to handle
barge traffic and provide a power source for industry. By 1850 two flourmills and one
textile mill were located on the canal. The development of the steam locomotive engine
fostered the creation of the Georgia Railroad Company in 1833 and the construction of a
- railroad line from Augusta'to Athens. Additional railroad lines. were built in the
following years.
:tr;J:
The canal, the mills and other industries in the Augusta area were important to the
Confederate war effort.. The ConfederatePowderworks, said to be the largest munitions
factory in the world, stretched for some two miles along the canal bank. An Oll1ate
chimney stands as the sole remnant of the powderworks complex. General William T.
7-1 '
Chapter 7 - Historic Resources
Sherman's "March to the Sea" in November 1864 avoided a well-fortified Augusta,
thereby sparing the area serious damage.
Following the war, the canal was enlarged and several new textile mills were constructed
on its banks. In addition to the mills, brick factories, lumber mills, railroad shops and
related businesses were started in Augusta. Several new banks, warehouses and wharves
also were constructed in the postwar years. The culmination of this period of industrial
expansion was the designation of Augusta as the "Lowell of the South", and the
presentation of an industrial exposition in the city in 1888.
While Augusta developed as' a manufacturing center following the war, the rest of
Richmond County remained agrarian. There were several communities within the county
- Summerville, Bath, Blythe, Mt. Enon, Gracewood, and Hephzibah - but none
approached Augusta in size or population. Incorporated in 1861, Summerville developed
as a winter resort area for \vealthy northerners. Many l()cal residents also had summer
homes in the community. Summerville became a part of the city of Augusta in 1911.
Bath was settled around 1800 by Presbyterians fl"om neighboring Burke County. At
about the same time, Mt. Enon was settled as a Baptist village. The first Baptist College
in the state was established here in 1807. The Gracewood community developed with the
construction of the Augusta Southern Railroad. It was in Gracewood, beginning in 1869,
that the Richmond Camp meetings were held for over halfa century.
Historically, Augusta had developed from the banks of the Savannah River outward to
the south and west. This same pattern of development continued at the turn of the
century. In 1885 the trustees of Paine Institute secured the Douglas estate in Woodlawn
for the present site of Paine College. With the construction of the Bon Air Hotel and the
Partridge Inn, Augusta became a winter resort for corporate executives and heads of state.
New residential development took place in various locations around town. The medical
complex, located southwest of Georgia moved to the former site of the Orphan Asylum in
1913.
Several military camps were located iIi' the Augusta area during this period, thereby
continuing the community's long-time support for the military. In 1898, Camp Dyer was
established in Turpin Hill and Camp McKenzie was developed at Wheeless Station.
Camp Wheeler was located near Lake Aumond in 1914, and Camp Hancock was
constructed in the vicinity of present-day Daniel Field in 1917. In 1928, Can1p Lenwood
was established on the site of what is now the Lenwood (Uptown) Veterans
Administration Hospital.
Following the Great Depression, Augusta and Richmond County played an important role
in World War II. Army personnel and equipment were assigned to Daniel Field. In
1942, the Forrest-Ricker Hotel was converted into an army hospital, and Camp (later
Fort) Gordon was established in south Richmond County. An airfield for the training of
army pilots was constructed on the site of what is now Augusta Regional Airport at Bush
Field. The Augusta Arsenal - now the site of Augusta State University - served as a
7-2
Chapter 7 - Historic Resources
prisoner-of-war camp and produced bombsights and other lens instruments for the war
effort.
Several postwar developments served to expand Augusta and Richmond County's role as
the center of a growing metropolitan area. The construction of Clarks Hill Dam and
Reservoir on the Savannah River (c. 1945-50), the development of the Savannah River
Plant (now Savannah River Site) in Aiken and Barnwell Counties, South Carolina (c.
1951-53), and the establishment of Fort Gordon as a permanent military facility (c. 1956)
contributed to population growth and economic development. In addition, the medical
complex continued to develop near downtown Augusta. The complex now includes the
Medical College of Georgia, Eugene Talmadge Memorial Hospital (c. 1956), MCG
Sydenstricker Wing (c. 1979), University Hospital (c. 1970), Veterans Administration
Hospital (c. 1980), and Walton Rehabilitation Hospital (c. 1989-90). Transportation
improvements and the development of industrial parks and sites resulted in new
manufacturing facilities in Richmond County. The county is now home to a variety of
manufacturing facilities producing both durable and non-durable goods. The major
categories of products include food, textiles, apparel, lumber, paper, printing,
transportation equipment, chemicals, and stone, clay and glass products.
7.1 Inventory of Historic Resources
There are currently nine (9) National Register Historic Districts in Augusta,
encompassing approximately 5,800 properties. Twenty-nine (29) propel1ies are listed
individually on the National Register. These districts and properties represent many
aspects of Augusta's history and include the central business district, industrial facilities,
urban neighborhoods, institutional buildings, and rural resources. They retlect the
significant contributions made by statesmen, businessmen, religious leaders, ethnic
groups, racial minorities, and ordinary citizens to the history and development of the
community. Coliectively the districts are' significant in such areas as architecture,
commerce, community planning, education, engineering, industry, landscape
architecture, military, politics/government, religion, and transportation. Table HR-I
provides summary infortl)ation on the National Register Historic Districts in Augusta. .
Three areas - Downtown, Bethlehem, and' Summerville have also been designated as
local historic' districts under the city's historic preservation ordinance. The ordinance
specifies that the Historic Preservation Commission review work affecting the exterior
appearance of any property in a, local historic district prior to a building pern1it being
issued. The objective of the design review requirement is to protect the integrity of
designated historic properties and ensure that new development is compatible with the
district's historic character. In aadition to the districts, six individual properties have
been designated as historic under the local ordinance. Table HR-2 lists the districts and
properties designated under the local ordinance.
7:'3
Chapter 7 - Historic Resources
Table HR-l
National Register Historic Districts
Augusta-Richmond County
Number of Resources/ Dates(s) Listed in National
Name Properties (Approximate) Re~ister
May 27,1971;
Augusta Canal 15 May 18, 1976; and Dec. 22,
1977 (Nat. Landmark)
Pinched Gut 700 March 6, 1980
Broad Street* 250 April 28, 1980
Summerville 2,000 May 22, 1980
Greene Street* 50 Dec. 3, 1980
Laney- Walker N0I1h 500 September 5, 1985
HalTisburg- West End 1,187 June 7, 1990
Sand Hills 335 July 9, 1997
Bethlehem 754 December 1, 1997
*Note: A National Register nomination is pending that will combine the Broad Street
and Greene Street districts, along with other historic resources, into a single
district.
..
There are many historic resources in Augusta despite the changes the community has
undergone over the years. Historic Augusta, Inc. maintains a file containing survey cards
on approximately 2,000 historic buildings in the "former" city of Augusta. The survey
cards represent work completed during the 1960s and 1970s by volunteers from the
Junior League of Augusta, historic preservation consultants, and staff of the Augusta-
Richmond County Planning Commission. The survey formed the basis for several
National Register nominations during the 1970s. The number of documented resources
increased dramatically during the 1980s and 1990s as additional surveys were completed
and more properties were listed in the National Register. African-American resources
were surveyed and the work resulted in the listing of three minority neighborhoods -
Laney- Walker, Sand Hills and Bethlehem - in the National Register.
A separate survey completed by a historic preservation consultant in 1989 identified
another 277 historic properties in unincorporated Richmond County, Hephzibah and
7-4
Chapter 7 - Hi~toric Resources
Blythe. Of this total 49 are located in Hephzibah, 31 in Blythe, and the remainder are
scattered throughout the county (novv part of the city). Building examples survive from
every period of the county's history and reflect such architectural styles as Federal, Greek
Revival, Gothic Revival, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Neo-Classical, Bungalow,
Craftsman, Tudor and Art Moderne. The majority of the structures are houses dating
from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The Augusta-Richmond County
Historic Preservation Plan (1991) contains more detailed information on historic resource
surveys completed on Augusta and Richmond County.
Table HR-2
Local Historic Districts and Properties, 2002*
Augusta-Richmond County
Name Number of Date
Properties Desh~nated
Local Historic Districts !
Bethlehem District 1,260 April 5, 1993
Downtown District 1,300 June 6, 1994
Summerville District 1,435 Dec. 19, 1994;
Oct. 5, 1999
Local Historic Properties
Christ Episcopal Church, 1902 Greene St 1 April 4, 1994
Trinity C.M.E. Church, 818 Eighth St, 1 Oct. 18, 1993
Bath Presbyterian Church, Bath-Edie Road 1 Dec. 15, 1992
Liberty United Methodist Church, Liberty Church Rd 1 Dec. 18, 1992
- .u<
Seclusava\- Windsor Spring, Windsor Sprfng Rd 1 Dec. 15, 1992
Mattox Property, Windsor Spring Rd 1 Sept. 5, 1995
*Note - All of the local designations were completed prior to consolidation and re-
adopted by the Augusta Commissi~nfollowing consolidation.
Archaeological resources are located on sites throughout Richmond County. Many of
these .sites have been discovered as part of the environmental review process required for
federally funded or licensed projects. Some sites contain either pre-historic or historiC
artifacts. Sites along and near the Savannah River floodplains have yielded the most
information.
7~5
Chapter 7 - Historic Resources
7.2 Historic Preservation Actiyities
Historic preservation in Augusta is marked by a wide variety of activities. From
preparation of National Register nominations, to rehabilitation of historic buildings, to
participation in historic preservation programs, individuals and organizations are
interested in preserving the past and at the same time make it a part of the city's future.
Beginning with the first historic resource surveys in the .1930s and the preservation of
some notable structures in the 1940s, the local historic preservation movement has grown
to the point where it is now an. integral part of neighborhood revitalization, economic
development and tourism. What follows is a summary of the historic preservation.
activities in recent years.
7.2.1 Survey and Nomination
Historic resource surveys document the age, condition and important characteristics of
historic structures and sites, and provide a context or picture of how a community
developed over time. As noted in the previous section, historic resource surveys have
been completed on a number of occasions in the past with the help of many individuals
and organizations. Surveys do need to be updated periodically in order to document
changes in the condition or status of resources.
Nomination and listing of individual properties or districts in the National Register of
Historic Places, Georgia Register of Historic Places, or as local historic property or
cJistrict is a related activity that has generated much involvement over the years. Property
owners, non-profit organizations, neighborhood associations, local government and many
others have supported property and district nominations over the years. Listing in the
National Register and the Georgia Register brings recognition to properties and makes
owner/investors eligible to apply for tax credits and local property tax abatement when
substantial rehabilitation work is completed on such properties. National Register listing
also affords properties a measure of protection when projects are undertaken that involve
federal loans, grants, licenses or permits. Designation under ,nthe city's historic
preservation ordinance triggers a local design review process whenever changes to the
exterior of a historic property are proposed.
7.2.2 Property Restoration
Restoration is the process of returning a historic property to its original state (i.e. how it
appeared at the time of its construction) or to its coriditio~ at some known point in its
history. This is different from rehabilitation, which involves fixing up a property for a
more contemporary use. Historic preservation in Augusta first focused on the restoration
of notable structures. The Daughters of the American Revolution purchased the George
Walton House (Meadow Garden) in 1895 to preserve the residence of one of the signers
of the Declaration of Independence. Meadow Garden remains in use today as a house
museum.
7-6
Chapter 7 - Historic Resources
In 1947, the Richmond County Historical Society was founded in order to help restore
what is now known as the Ezekiel HalTis House. The city purchased the property in 1984
and subsequently made improvements to the house, caretaker's cottage and gl:ounds of the
property. Historic Augusta, Inc. now manages the house museum on behalf of the city.
In 1987, the city purchased the Old Government House (c. 1801), rehabilitated the
property, and makes it available for both public and private functions. Iii. the spring of
1991 the city purchased the Boyhood Home of Woodrow Wilson and leased it for use by
Historic Augusta. The property was restored with a combination of public and private
funds and re-opened in 2001 as a house museum. ' Delta I-louse, Inc. purchased the home
of noted, black educator Lucy Craft Laney. During the early, 1990s the house was
restored and a community meeting room was constructed on the property . Today, the
Lucy C.'Laney House and Museum is home to artifacts related toMs: Laney's life, and
hosts computer classes for children, art exhibits and community meetings.
7.2.3 Property Rehabilitation and Adaptiyc Reuse
Property rehabilitation and reuse is another integral part of historic preservation in
Augusta. Every day property owners and investors rehabilitate historic structures for use
as homes, apartments, offices, and retail establishments. Most sllch projects al-e privately
financed, but some owners take advantage of rehabilitation tax credit and tax abatement
programs. For a number of years the city .used Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) funds to finance a fayade rehabilitation program. Over the last 20 years, fayade
grants have helped finance the rehabilitation of approximately 150 historic commercial
, and residential 'structures. In recent years non-profit organizations ~md local authorities
have started taking a more active role in the rehabilitation and reuse of historic properties.
Non-profits such as the Augusta Neighborhood Improvement Corporation are
rehabilitating neglected structures for use as affordable housing. The Augusta Canal
Authority has several projects either planned or underway that will result in the
rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of several structures in the Augusta Canal National
Heritage Area. These resources will receive much needed improvements and have a new
lease on life as tourist attractions.
7.2.4 Local Historic Prescrvation Programs
Organizations such as the Richmond County Historical Society and Historic Augusta
were at the forefront of the local preservation movement. The local governments were
supportive of these organizations and, as time went by, recognized that they themselves
could playa more direct role in historic preservation: In 1970, the Georgia General
Assembly passed a constitutional amendment authorizing the city of Augusta to establish
historic preservation zones in downtown Augusta. In the following year, the city council
adopted a historic preservation zone' ordinance. The ordinance made it possible to
overlay-historic preservation zoning on the base zoning classification for qualifying
properties in downtown Augusta. Once historic preservation zoning was established, any
material change in the exterior appearance of a designated property was subject to review
by a five-member board of review. This local ordinance stayed in place for over two
T-7
Chapter 7 - Historic Resources
decades, but changes were happening at the state level that would alter the way local
historic preservation programs were implemented across the state.
In 1980, the Georgia General Assembly enacted the "Georgia Historic Preservation Act".
This law established a unifonn procedure for use by cities and counties in the state in
enacting local historic preservation ordinance. Among other things the state law
established the powers for a local historic preservation commission, the procedure for
designation of local historic properties and districts, and the process for carrying out
design review requirements. A couple of years after the state law passed, the State
Historic Preservation Otlice (SHPO) published a model historic preservation ordinance
for use by local governments.
Augusta could have continued with its original historic preservation zone ordinance, as
pre-existing local ordinances were deemed valid under a provision in the 1980 state law.
However, by the late 1980s pressure was building to update the local ordinance and bring
it in line with state law. In 1990, city council appointed an ad hoc committee to review
the entire matter and make a recommendation regarding the form and content of the local
historic preservation ordinance. The committee recommended that city council adopt a
new ordinance very similar to the SHPO model ordinance. The city council adopted the
ordinance in January 1992.
About the same time, the Richmond County Commission was taking steps to become
more directly involved in historic preservation. In May 1988, the county commission
established nine-member historic sites' committee to identify properties within the then
unincorporated area of Richmond County that would be likely candidates for listing in
the National Register. Subsequently, Historic Augusta was awarded a contract to
complete a survey of historic resources in unincorporated Richmond County, Hephzibah
and Blythe. The county commission adopted a historic preservation ordinance of its own
on March 20, 1990, and appointed the five-member historic preservation commission on
October 2, 1990. The county's ordinance was also very similar to the model ordinance.
In 1991, the city and county jointly sponsored the development of the community's first
historic preservation plan.
Today, the consolidated government's Historic Preservation Commission continues the
work started by its predecessors. The 12-member commission meets monthly to consider
applications for Certificate of Appropriateness, review ongoing preservation projects, and
discuss other matters of interest. The Commission has taken steps to raise community
awareness about historic preservation and works cooperatively with others to implement
preservation planning projects.
7.2.5 Participation in Preservation Programs
Augustans have long been involved in a variety of historic preservation programs. The
National Register of Historic Places is probably the most well known of the Federal
preservation programs. Participation in the program has resulted in the listing of 9
districts and 29 individual properties in the National Register. Additional districts have
7-8
Chapter 7 - Historic Resources
been marked as potentially eligible for listing. Since the late 1970s, many local property
owners and investors have taken advantage of the Federal Historic Rehabilitation, Tax
Credit program. This program enables owner/investors to claim a tax credit for
substantial rehabilitation of income-producing historic properties. 'Property owners have
also participated in a state-level program that allows some property tax relief for historic
properties that are rehabilitated.
Because Augusta routinely receives Federal grant funds for expenditure on community
development and transportation projects, it is subject to the requirements of Section 106
of the National Historic Preservation Act. Section 106 mandates that the State Historic
Preservation Oflice and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation be afforded an
, ,
opportunity to review and comment on the impact of federally-funded projects on
properties listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register. The goal of the review
process is to avoid or mitigate any adverse impacts on historic resources. Participation in
this program helps avoid adverse impacts on some historic propel1ies, ensures that new
construction is compatible with existing resources, and results in archive'::quality
documentation for historic properties demolished as a part of larger projects.
The community has participated in the Certified Local Government (CLG) Program for
approximately ,16 years. This federal program recognizes communities that establish
historic preservation ordinances and programs that meet cel1ain standards. As a CLG,
Augusta receives technical . ~ssistance on preservation issues, is part of a nationwide
network. of local govemments involved in 'preservation, and is eligible to apply for a
special setaside of preservation planning grant funds. The fonner city of Augusta was
designated a CLG in May 1987, and the former county in March 1991. The consolidated
govemment achieved' the designation in 1997.
The community has also taken advantage of historic preservation grant programs. Over
the last 15 years, grant awards under the. U. S. Department of the Interior's Historic
Preservation Fund (HPF) Program. have funded a variety of preservation planning
projects. Examples include historic resource surveys, a draft local historic preservation
ordinance,. the Augusta-Rjchmondcounty Historic PreservationP.lan, National Register
nominations, and design guidelines for two of the three local historic districts (Bethlehem
and Downtown). T~e Summerville Neighborhood Association financed the development
of the Summerville Design Gl.iidelines, and a HPF grant funded publication of the same.
Property owners and non-profit organizations have used the Heritage Grant Progran1 to
help finance the stabilization and n;;habilit~tion of selected historic properties in the city.
~
7.2.6 Historic Documents and Records
People and organizations have long taken action to record historic events and make sure
that the rich and varied, of Augusta is maintained. Over the' years monuments and
,markers have been erected throughout :the community to commemorate notable
statesmen, events (e.g. wars, natural disasters), educators, community leaders, religious
leaders, and the location of historic events arid structures. A number of organizations and
institutions are responsible for the maintenance of historic documents, artifacts and
7-9
Chapter 7 - Historic Resources
records. These include the Augusta Museum of History, Richmond County Historical
Society, Historic Augusta, Inc., Augusta Genealogical Society, and libraries at Augusta
State University, Paine College and the East Central Georgia Regional Library. In
addition, a number of local ethnic organizations and clubs \vork hard to preserve the rich
and varied cultural history of Augusta and Richmond County. Ethnic cultural and arts
festivals provide an opportunity for residents and visitors to learn more about local
history and keep important traditions alive.
7.3 Assessment of Historic Preservation Needs
The community has made great strides in bringing recogl1ltlon to Augusta's historic
resources, restoring and rehabilitating them, and making them a part of daily life. The
Augusta-Richmond County Historic Preservation Plan (1991) identified the following
major needs in local historic preservation:
1. Establish procedures for ongoing identification, nomination and protection of
historic resources.
2. Develop strategies for preserving and enhancing historic residential
neighborhoods.
3. Develop strategies for revitalizing and preserving historic business districts,
including neighborhood and small town business districts.
4. Develop strategies for preserving isolated rural historic resources.
5. Enhance monetary incentives for preserving historic resources.
6. Improve and enhance environmental design, including landscaping and
aesthetic improvements.
7. Develop an ongoing heritage education program for children and adults.
Programs and projects are in place to deal with many of these needs, but some have not
been addressed. There is a need to update and consolidate the local historic resource
surveys that are 20-30 years old. Many resources continue to be threatened due to
neglect or insensitive rehabilitation. Strategies are needed to encourage ordinary
maintenance and repair or the mothballing of vacant buildings. There is a need to
continue to stress the economic benefits of historic preservation and how it contributes to
education and neighborhood revitalization. Finally, the local historic preservation plan
requires updating to better reflect the changes in Augusta's preservation activities and
establish a comprehensive set of goals for the future.
7-10
:E
~tz
CIllZ-
::J ..., III ::J
_, Cll _ c.
eD < -, <:'
c. < 0 -,
_,::J C.
::oo::JIlll::
::::.a.-Ill
Cllen:;O-
S:OCll"C
o ..., <0 ...,
C. en -, 0
-. "C ~ "C
en .... Cll Cll
- ~, ::1
() ::J ..., -,
::r <0 III Cl>
l::1ll5.~
...,::J -,
o c.::J en
::rr2.eD
_, a.
0' en _,
Cll ::r ::J
::10
'<~
~[][][,A[][J[][] ·
O)>(lJI"U(lJCD
o c c w -. W CD h;" I
:E <0 3 ~ ~ ::J .- ::J (ii'
;a. ~ 3 (ii' ::r a. ::r CD 6"
o 1ii CD C- ,..... I CD '< ::J.
:E '"'J C \JJ -, ::r < 0
::J () ~ cO S. (Jl 3CD < "U
W- I W...,
::J CD " 0
NW .................. CD"C
8-......tO~tOcD...,CD
VJZ~~O~~~~
I 0 ~ ~
::r
trJ
Cl
o
~
f
Cl
(ii'
-
::J,
o
-
Z
o
-
Cll
en
"'U
Cll
::J
C.
5'
<0
r
W
::J
C.
3
W
...,
:::'
......
to
"'"
"'"
......
to
,co
CJ1
'",1,., '_~" ;.oc ~'-' I,' 'f<~\Q'"!?' -:-;'(\, \"
," ~~')..~ '~" :)\--'<\ ,\/.\\ \..>
:~\"~,,:~~\~, ,\':" 'ii "~.I' \/~ __ ri~::\<,",~)' '\':.\:-1--..
. ',", i, --\1/ ' ~'-::J"-"T" ' . "-"'! \
\-'_: i\, 'i/,~~~" I ).:/t~.\ '< ,,/" /
\;"" I"~ '.' ,./;(i~, <; .' /;~r/ i:"'::\\\:'\:~) <~ t.?
t~~% /j)s;<l>) ",' "b it! r
":-1~~'\;./ _' "i_-'_~ij~/G:~"~ //' ,I (J)~ l; Jf '\ \"\'
U I I il' ,/, / /~'"i ~- '. 1,_"
/"..-'-"'".'\'1' i-- '--,IJ..:':-.,/., ~' ,r" ',:, ",I '" 1 ' "
",.r/ '_~ h-,-' ~ '/', . '''''1'''.41 \12/., '" \,'," "
, ~..-\1 c.--..,J" .:< i VJ f \ : " . "\'-". "./ <,";",
1 ::,? " 1.0" '( .(-, "VA i CDI I : : I -: )" " " ,,' 'J,-
,< 'h\<*i;{,;y I 'Ii! ! ! ii" ../ /;Jr;<\\ .'~.)>/,~;\ !C
/ I; , ",I i,!"i~~: ";-', ;':r'\.,:'J,_:i:,.,)'.'.'~' ,.,,/,''',!J--'] ,. , / /:.a~ 'I ,,/ \'-'<', (/A I,l:\""~\'
. ".,/.r:' )/""] ,\,.,\._:---- \ I-l~ ,.-..,,' i, ,J,7~';'i--, ,,_I,J_\'c"-i-"~'-':"Q -.:.' , -'>.,'-'-
. ',f ,,~ \ v,, -'I !, i ;0' i ,-. \,,' I 'rl '/-1/ - '," ,>:- ,/,. ---., _:~ -0' 'G' ',~ s; }..O-' - - --.I I ''i':;
. . __'I;' 1 o...' \ '" ' ' i ; if,: . ,,' . (N \ . +-. --,~~~'~:,~"':"~'"
'" V" ',' ,'" ,-., -I ',' '_ \-," '\ ..l\ - ,,', "._! 1 -" ,',:
,"'-;';_"" . I ~ " ~ I ;' ~ I / r, ' ,"'~ l ' ' :'\'
/, 'y' ",/" " i'V ii' -j. ;..' "I' \,:", \.. 1-/ ' ',;' ' ",',-;,
, '. '-'j -; ," ! ',' 1- \,.-.i, '\-' ,- "-.
i__~_/' /'.
'"""j ~'
,rr
,
i
\
\ tn'
\,,\:\ ~\\
.' \ (?', \---
\ rii",/\' \
'''_ j";m' "
'.::0 r
\-0 Y,""
\'\
\;-, i r"'~/-'~{~
.'..-"- (" -""
~\t~>~, .
""\.
J:~\~: (+
.,~ ,/ ,/ /
.tr:-'jJ.iS6)~\'~N/~~~~':" i ;':, 'I~'"
_ \:rc"a I "/ ~-"''' \ '- f
i ,. -'/---"i - ...... ,/ V.J ~ '-.,/ "-\ ! "- - '---l v''/
~ i ,~/,".' "Y....," t I'-~ ~..:..-
ri+U'-- 'T&'J'/r- ,J '
/ ,', ,~~~f:r
, I' ,-- ' ~..,."
.,,;5~~{1!~~f0;~~;~~'~:~/
\ "~~~. t:<><---
\ f
>,5~"t L
(/ ;-1,>:,:2".rr
...". '\,)
f, '1~~_ _~ +!' -. I
--\ : "'/-'1
\} ,
\iJ
~~.<~
I I.
"/_......\
..~ \
-', / ",
,
',\
i .>< ~ ''-,-,./\
\
, ,
"j,U
,'.
__ --:' -' '\, ~C'\
, \" \). ">
I ',,-, /'(9.J
j '-.....
J ", ""
, ""-",-~
'''....<.-'''.
)>
-.
"
(1)
~
-0
o
c:
~
~
..
/
/
en
o
'. .......
","/
(
,;J
"-~,"~... /
'<~~,: ):'
'/..
l
:::.~=-:.::--:.,/~
! i i!~
. > I!.
; i; rR
~ 'r:'
!' ~ r ~ :i;
~ f~ r! 1
.. H ~~,
t. l' if;
Al if i d ~
I' ,l Ur i
~rl~'H.
!~~~ri;:
I, " I h ·
!~ H ~a ~
.q ~ l:- l =.: Q
~. " 1~ t
:. i! "~i
Jj !" ;:!
': ,. ,l[
, i;:':
~ ~ i1t
. "r r
i ,~i
(~I~~
',fl! ' I~
\ \' ,1',,",
\~!J
~~~
r: ~ ~
= 3 .,
III r:..~
o' e:
" n
~1{~
i'lL
~..",
.a ',; ~
"
,~~,:1..'
\~-
t,
z
~
:to
o
=
~
-
)>
=
(fQ
=
lZl
.-+
~
I
~
.....
(J
P"
3
o
::s
0..
n
o
=
::s
~
o
)>
~
~
(JCl
... .
'JJ
....
~
"'l
I;:l
.....
'JJ
q
... .
~
....
'JJ
~
""d
"'l
o
"CI
~
..,
:to
~
'JJ
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
8. Introduction
Physical characteristics and natural resources have played an important role in the
development of Augusta and Richmond County., Crop~, and timber have been produced
from local soils for many years. Fine kaolin and the raw materials for brick, tile and
concrete products are mined in the county. Water supplies from both deep wells and
surface sources have contributed to farming, domestic use, and commerce. The land and
water also combine to support a variety of plant and animal life.
As urban land use continues to spread throughout the city, interest is growing in striking a
balance between protecting natural' resources and, accommodating new, urban
development. This chapter includes an inventory and assessment of local' natural
resources and outlines the steps being taken to protect them. These resources include
iloodplains, soils, aquifers, water recharge areas, watersheds, wetlands, prime agricultural
and forestlands, and scenic views and sites. Historic and archaeological resources are
addressed in a separate chapter. Included is an overview of the programs, policies, and
development regulations used to manage these natural resources in accordance with the
desires of the publ ic and to implement the Comprehensive Plan.
8.1 Richmond County's Natural Environment
Richmond County is located in east central Georgia next to the Savannah River. The
Savannah River separates Georgia from the neighboring state of South Carolina.
Adjoining counties include Columbia and McDuffie to the north and west and Burke and
Jefferson to the south. Richmond County occupies a land area of 207,386 acres, or
324.04 square miles, plus 2,823 acres (4.41 sq. mi.) of water area. Table N-l shows that
Augusta accounts for approximately 93% of the total acreage in the county. Richmond
County straddles the "Fall Line", a geologic boundary following the Appalachian
Mountajn range from Alabama to New York. In Georgia and South Car91ina the Fall
Line separates the Piedmont from the Coastal Plain. The Savannah River and its
tributaries drain most of the county.
"1:::':"'~'
Kl.l Climate
Richmond County has a relatively mild climate characterized by long hot summers and
short cool winters. Prevailing winds are from the southeast and southwest, bringing in
moist tropical air from the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. In summer the
average temperature is 79 degrees, and the average daily high exceeds 90 degrees F in
June, Juiy and August. In winter the average temperature is 47 degrees F, and the
average daily minimum temperature is 35 degrees. Total animal precipi~ation is 46
inches, with 23 inches falling in April through September. Annual precipitation amounts
have been below normal for the last 45, years. The average relative humidity in mid
afternoon is about 50 percent. Humidity, is, higher at night, and the average at dawn is
about 90 percent.
8-1
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
Table N-l
Land and Water Area, 2000
Richmond County, GA
Area in Square Miles Persons per
Square Mile
Land Water Total
Richmond County 324.04 4.41 328.45 616.5
Augusta 302.13 4.35 306.48 646.0
Hephzibah 19.36 0.06 19.42 200.4
Blythe 2.54 0.06 2.55 280.4
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census 2000 Summary File 1
8.1.2 Topography
Richmond County is situated in three major land resource areas: the Southern Piedmont,
the Carolina and Georgia Sand Hills, and the Southern Coastal Plain. The Southern
Piedmont covers the extreme northern part of the county and consists of broad to narrow
ridgetops and long irregular hillsides bisected by numerous small winding drainageways.
The Carolina and Georgia Sand Hills are located in the northern and western parts of the
county and separate the Southern Piedmont from the Southern Coastal Plain. The
Southern Coastal Plain covers the southern and southeastern parts of the county and is
characterized by broad ridgetops and hillsides extending to drainageways. Nearly level
floodplains of the Savannah River are located in the eastern and northern parts of the
county and on the narrower basins of its tributaries.
Elevations range between 100 and 140 feet along the SavarU1ah River and 500 feet or
more on high ridges on Fort Gordon. More than half of the total land area has a slope of
less than 5%, and more than 85% of the land has less than 10% slope. Less than 2% of
the land area has slope greater than 15%. The steepest slopes are found along Butler,
Spirit and Little Spirit Creeks. The majority of areas with steep slopes are either within
floodplains, which are regulated by local ordinance, or are located on Fort Gordon
8.1.3 Soils
Soils in Richmond County are grouped into eight (8) associations. A soil association is a
landscape that has a distinctive proportional pattern of soils. A soil association usually
consists of one or more major soils, for which it is named, and at least one minor soil.
Soils in one association may also occur in another, but in a different pattern.
8-2
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
Soils on ridgetops and hillsides of the Southern Piedmont: well-drained soils on very
gently sloping and sloping ridgetops and hillsides. Slopes range from 2 to 15 percent.
The soils have a loamy surface layer and predominantly firm clayey or loamy subsoil.
. Georgville- Wedowee - Very gently sloping to sloping, well drained soils that have a
loamy surface layer and predominantly firm clayey or loamy subsoil. Moderate
permeability limits the use of these soils for septic tanks absorption fields. These
soils account for 3 percent of all soils and are found in the northeastern part of the
county. The areas are a combination of woods, residential subdivisions, shopping
centers and industry.
Soils on ridgetops and hillsides of the Sand Hills: well-drained and excessively drained
soils on very gently sloping and gently sloping ridgetops and hillsides. Slopes range
from I to 10 percent. The soils have a thick sandy surface layer and friable loamy subsoil
and others that are sandy throughout.
. Troup -Lakeland - Very gently sloping and gently sloping, well drained soils that
have a thick sandy surface layer and friable loamy subsoil and excessively drained
soils that are loose and sandy throughout. These soils are well suited to most urban
uses. These soils account for 27 percent of all soils and are scattered throughout the
central and southern parts of the county. The areas are a combination of urban land
uses and woodlands.
· Troup - Vaucluse - Ailey - Very gently sloping and gently sloping, well drained soils
that have a predominantly sandy surface layer and friable or mostly finn and brittle
loamy subsoil. These soils are well suited to most urban uses. These soils account
for 17 percent of all soils and are scattered throughout the northern part of the county.
The areas are a combination of urban land uses and woodlands.
Soils on ridgetops and hillsides of the Southern Coast Plain: well-drained soils on nearly
level to gently sloping ridgetops and hillsides. Slopes range from 0 to,8 percent. The
, soils have a predominantly sandy surface layer and friable loamy subsoil. ~"
. Orangeburg-Lucy-Dothan - Nearly leveL to gently sloping, well drained soils that
have a predominantly sandy surface layer and friable loamy subsoil. These soils
account for about 13 percent of all soils and are found in the south central part of the
county. Areas are used mainly for farn1il1g and woodlands.
Soils ,on hillsides of the Sand Hills and Southern Coastal Plain: well-drained soils on
strongly sloping and moderately steep hillsides. Slopes range from 8 to 17 percent. The
soils have a sandy surface layer and friable or mostly firm and brittle loamy subsoil.
· Troup.:.Vaucluse-Ailey - Strongly sloping and moderately steep, well drained soils
that have a sandy surface layer and friable or most firm and brittle subsoil. These
soils are poorly suited for fmming and only moderately suited for wood crops and
8-3
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
must urban uses. These soils account for about 14 percent of all soils and are located
across the southern part of the county:.
Soils on/near Floodplains: poorly drained soils that are nearly level. Soils have a loamy
surface layer and friable loamy or firn1 clayey subsoil.
. Riverview-Chewacla-Chastain - Nearly level, well drained and somewhat poorly
drained soils that are friable throughout and poorly drained soils that have a loamy
surface layer and fIrm clayey subsoil. These soils are located in the floodplains of the
Savannah River in the eastern pm1 of the county. They comprise about 11 percent of
the county. Primarily wooded, this association does have areas that are used for
cultivated crops or pasture. There is considerable industrial and residential
development in areas protected by the Savannah River levee. Clay has been mined
for the manufacture of bricks, and the excavated areas are filled with water.
. Bibb-Osier - Nearly level, poorly drained, predominantly loamy soils that are friable
and sandy soils that are loose. These soils are located on floodplains of the major
tributaries of the Savannah River and account for 9 percent of all soils. Major
tributaries include the following creeks: Rae's, Rocky, Butler, Spirit, Little Spirit and
McBean. Primarily wooded, this association is poorly suited for farming and urban
lIses.
. Dogue-Goldsboro-Roanoke - Nearly level, moderately well drained and poorly
drained soils that have a loamy surface layer and friable loamy or firm clayey subsoil.
These soils are located on stream terraces and low-lying uplands adjacent to flood
plains. They comprise about 6 percent of all soils and are found primarily in the
northeastern part of the county. This association includes a mix of urban
development, industry, wooded areas, and swampland.
8.1.4 Agricultural and Forest Land
The Georgia County Guide classified 14,775 acres as non-forestry fannland in 1997 or
7.1 % of the land in Richmond County. In 1997 there were 106 farms in the county. The
average farm size was 139 acres and the median size was 50 acres. Crops include corn,
soybeans and peanuts. Commodities include forestry, dairy, beef cows and ornamental
horticulture. The county ranked 94th within the state for acres of harvested cropland. The
7,189 acres in harvested cropland is up 15.9% from the 5,565 acres reported in 1992.
Currently, 121,200 acres in Richmond County are forested, or 58.4% of the entire county;
Of this total 56,000 acres are owned by private individuals, 39,000 acres by the Federal
government (Fort Gordon), and 17,000 acres by the forest industry. The breakdown of
major forest groups is Loblolly-short leaf pine - 32,800 acres, Long-leaf slash pine -
26,100 acres, and Oak-pine - 24,200 acres. Much of the forested land is undeveloped at
the present time. Outside of Fort Gordon, forestlands in the county are subject to more
intense development.. The forestland on Fort Gordon is less likely to be converted to
other uses.
8-4
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
As Richmond County continues to grow, the remaining farmland and forestland will
come under more development pressure. A number of local development regulations
help to minimize the impact of proposed land use changes., These include zoning
restrictions on allowable densities, landscaping requirements for commercial
development, and soil erosion and sediment control requirements. Augusta-Richmond
County also has in place regulations for the protection of wetlands, groundwater recharge
areas, water supply watersheds, and the Savannah River cOlTidor. These regulations were
adopted in October 1998 in compliance with the Georgia Department of Natural
Resources, Rules for Environmental Planning Criteria.
8.15 Plant and Animal Habitat
Richmond County is home to several plants and one animal (an invertebrate) classifIed as
endangered, threatened, unusual or rare. Four of the plants are listed as "candidates" for
federal protection under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. One plant, the Sweet
Pitcherplant, has "pat1ial status", meaning that the plant is federally protected in only a
portion of the species' range. All projects that require a direct federal approval, permit,
grant, loan or loan guarantee must comply with provisions of,the Endangered Species
Act. This includes consulting with the Department of the Interior to avoid adverse
impacts on endangered species.
Table N-2
State and Federally Protected Plants and Animals
Richmond County, GA :
Plants: Federal Status State Status
. Georgia Aster Candidate None
. Atlantic White-cedar None Rare
. Pink Ladyslipper None Unusual
. Shoals Spid'&lily candidate- Endangered
. Indian Olive .'None Threatened
. Sweet Pitcherplant Partial Status Endangered
. Ocrhulgee Skullcap , Candidate Threatened
. Silky Camellia None Rare
. Pickering Morning-glory Candidate Threatened
,
Animals:
. Pigtoe Mussel None Endangered
Source: Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Protected Species List, DNR Website,
May 6, 2003
8.-5
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
Some plants are protected solely under provIsIons of the Georgia Wildflower
Preservation Act of 1973. The act authorizes rules for the collection, transport, sale and
listing of protected plants. The Georgia Environmental Policy Act (GEP A) requires that
impacts to protected species be addressed for all projects on state-owned lands and for all
municipal or county projects if funded half or more by state funds, or by a state grant of
more than $250,000.
8.2 Major Parks, Recreation and Conservation Areas
Richmond County has several conservation, recreation and natural areas. Following is a
brief description of the major natural attractions within the county. Additional
information can be found in the Historic Resources and Community Facilities chapters.
8.2.1 Savannah River
The Savannah River is an exceptional resource that has had a tremendous impact
on the history and development of the community. The stretch of the river
adjacent to Augusta and Richmond County is one of the more unique parts of the
waterway. It is just upstream from the city where the river rolls over the fall line
separating the Piedmont and Coastal Plain physiographic provinces. The shallow
waters at the fall line served as a river crossing for centuries, and have
characteristics that are in sharp contrast to the deeper, navigable reaches
downstream. This change in the river's environment allows it to support a variety
of plants, animals, and wildlife, and gives residents a greater appreciation of the
natural environment. Over the years, a number of archaeological sites have been
identified in the area, many of which are located in the floodplains and swamps
near the river corridor.
8.2.2 Augusta Canal
The Augusta Canal is a man-made resource located next to the Savannah River in
Richmond and Columbia Counties. Owned by the city of Augusta, and managed
by the Augusta Canal Authority, the canal is a designated National Historic
Landmark (1977), a Regionally Important Resource (Georgia-1994), and a
National Heritage Area (U. S. Congress-l 996). National Heritage Area
designation recognizes the canal as a treasure of national significance, spotlights
Augusta on national tourist maps, and makes technical assistance and resources
available through the National Park Service.
Constructed in 1845, and enlarged in 1876, the Augusta Canal is among the
nation's best examples of a 19th century industrial canal system. When first built
the canal's three main functions were to provide water power for industry,
waterborne transportation for commodities (e.g. cotton), and a source of water for
8-6
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
the community. Today, the canal continues to provide water power to two textile
mills and powers the pumps at the city's Taw water pumping station. The canal
provides residents and visitors with a variety 'of recreational opportunities,
including hiking, boating, bicycling and fishing. There are scenic views of the
Savannah River and several historic structures adjoining the can~1. For several
years the Augusta Canal Authority has been implementing projects contained in
the Augusta Canal Master Plan. This includes projects to renovate many of the
historic structures associated within the canal, improve and expand the canal
towpath, improve access to the canal, and make the canal a tOllrist destination.
8.2.3 .Phinizy Swamp Wildlife Management Area
This 1,500-acre, state-owned cypress wetland is located in east Augusta
approximately two miles south of downtown. The wildlife management area is
owned by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and managed by
the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. It was created as a result of a
compromise brokered with environmental agencies to allow construction of
Bobby Jones Expressway through the swamp. GOOT agreed to purchase and,
preserve the acreage in exchange for approval of the road project by the U. S. Fish
and Wildlife Service and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. The
expressway extension, which opened in the summer of 1998, bisects the wildlife
management area.
The Merry Brickyard ponds border the wildlife management area on one side and
the 1,1 OO-acre Phinizy Swamp Nature Park on another. It is home to over 100
species of waterfowl, and a variety of wildlife that includes deer, alligators, bald
eagles, bobcat, beaver, snakes, and panthers. Permitted public use activities
'include hunting (archery only), fishing, hiking, and birdwatching. Access points
are located off of Gravel Pit Road and from a half-mile long gravel road behind
the Messerly Wastewater Treatment Plant.
8.2.4 Phinizy Swamp Nature Park
This 1,1 OO-acre nature park is located south of the Phinizy Swamp Wildlife
Management Area and adjacent to ,the Messerly Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The Nature Park is owned by the city of Augusta and. managed by the
Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy - a nonprofit educational organization.
Like the wildlife management area, the Swamp Park is home to a variety of plant
and animal life coexisting in an ancient wetland area. The mission of the
Southeastern Natural Sciences Acaderriy is to promote environmental stewardship
through education, research, land con'servation and public outreach. The
Academy has established partnerships with area school systems and has booked
8,000 students for its on-site education programs during the 2002-03 school year.
Field trip demand has risen steadily since programs began in 1998.
8.,7
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
The Academy offers classes, tours and workshops at the Nature Park. A typical
monthly calendar of events includes a tour of the park, a family bike tour, a
"waterfowl" walk, and a clean-up day. The park offers endless opportunities for
learning, volunteering, and working with others to promote environmental
stewardship.
Included within the park is an innovative sewage treatment system where semi-
treated wastewater from the Messerly Wastewater Treatment Plant flows into a
series on man-made wetland cells. There microbes and bacteria break down
harmful waste products and the cleansed water then flows back into Butler Creek
on its way to the Savannah River. The constructed wetlands clean municipal
wastewater, provide habitat for plants and wildlife, and serve as a learning
environment for park visitors. The Academy has plans for improvements at the
Nature Park including construction of a research facility, visitor's center, and
extension of the Floodplain Boardwalk. The Academy is also finalizing an
agreement \vith GDOT and GA DNR to incorporate part of the Phinizy Swamp
WMA into its education programs.
8.2.5 Merry Brickyard Ponds
Merry Brickyard Ponds is a semi-public fishing area located immediately north of
the Phinizy Swamp Wildlife Management Area. The ponds are actually a series
of strip mines that nature has transformed into a nationally known waterfowl
habitat. The ponds lie among 3,100 acres owned by Merry Land Properties, Inc.,
which still has active clay mining leases on parts of the site.
Plans are underway to transfonn much of the area into new uses that will inClude
a wetland mitigation bank. A wetlands mitigation bank offers credits to
developers whose projects disrupt sensitive natural areas elsewhere. A developer
can "buy" land in a mitigation bank to offset losses-6f \vetlands elsewhere. The
result is the preservation and restoration of large habitats such as the Brickyard
Ponds. What the owners envision is the gradual transition of the ponds from a
fishing resource to more of a conservation resource. While there will be fishing
for many years to come, some ponds will be drained, filled and planted with trees
to foster more diversity in the ecosystem.
8.2.6 Spirit Creek Education Forest
Spirit Creek Education Forest is 570 acres of wetlands, planted loblolly pine and
bottomland hardwoods located in the midst of urban development in south'
Richmond County. The Georgia Forestry Commission owns and maintains the
property. The Forestry Commission offers a number of educational programs and
activities on-site including the following:
8-8
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
. A self-guided interpretive trail through a tupelo swan'lp on a handicapped-
accessible boardwalk
. An arboretum displaying native trees and ecosystems of Georgia
. Interpretive nature trails.
. Fields displaying three different stages of a sandhill natural succession and the
wildlife inhabiting the sites
. Soil investigation studies and wetland habitat and quality studies
. Experimental wooden bridge
. Timber management practices of thinning, harvesting and regeneration
. A prescribed burning demonstration
. Wildlife management
. Agricultural crop terracihg practices
8.3 Air Qualit),
Air quality is an issue in communities throughout the country, including' Augusta. Air
pollution has a direct impact on public health and well being. It also has implications for
economic development, transportation, and the quality of life in communities.
Ozone, the main ingredient of smog, is a serious air quality problem. Even at low levels
ozone can have a number of effects on the respiratory system. Ozone is a gas that occurs
both in the Earth's upper atmosph~re and at ground level. Ozone can be good or bad,
depending on where it is found. Ozone occ,:!rs naturally in the Earth's upper atmosphere -
10 to 30 miles above the Earth's surface - 'where it shields us from the sun's harmful
ultraviolet rays.
. In the Earth's lower atmosphere, near ground level, ozone is formed when pollutants
emitted by cars, power plants, chemical plants, and other sources react chemically in the
presence of sunlight. Ozone pollution is a concern during the summer months when the
weather conditions needed to form ground-l~.vel ozone - lots of sun and hot temperatures
- normally occur.
Particulate matter (PM) is another type of air pollutant. Particulate matter is any material
that exists as solid or liquid in the atmosph~re. Particulate matter may be in the form of
fly ash, soot, dust, fog, fumes or other materials. Particulate matter causes irritation and
damage to the respiratory system. This can result in difficulty' breathing, induce
bronchitis and aggravate existing respiratory disease. Exposure to particulates impacts
individuals with chronic pulmonary or cardiovascular disease, people with influenza or
asthma, children and elderly persons.
Local officials have taken proactive steps to deal with air pollution. In 1999 the Augusta
Air Quality Task ,Force (AQTF) was formed under the auspices of the Metro Augusta
Chamber of Commerce. The mission.. of the AQTF is to advise the Georgia
Environmental Protection Division (EPD) on local compliance with the Clean Air Act.
8-9
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
The task. force is comprised of business leaders, transportation planners, real estate
developers, environmentalists, and government officials.
In the fall of 1999, the AQTF joined forces with similar groups in Macon and Columbus
to pursue completion of a detailed study of air quality in the three "Fall Line" cities. As a
result of their efforts, and with funding from the state of Georgia, the Fall Line Air
Quality Study (F AQS) started in 2000. The Georgia Tech Center for Urban and Regional
Ecology is directing the study. F AQS consists of four primary components: I) enhanced
monitoring of air pollution, 2) development of an emissions inventory, 3) modeling of air
quality, and 4) analysis, assessment, and recommendations.
Data indicate that the Augusta area has an ozone problem. The EPD has had a permanent
ozone monitoring station in Augusta since 1989. The station is located at Bayvale
Elementary School in south Augusta. In recent years, ozone levels recorded at the station
have exceeded allowable standards 011 several occasions. Under the Federal Clean Air
Act Amendments, violations occur when 8-hour ozone averages exceed 0.085 parts per
million. Data recorded by EPD at a monitoring station located at Bayvale Elementary
School indicate that ozone levels in Augusta have exceeded the 8-hour standard, on
varying numbers of days, for several years (see chart belo\v).
As part of the F AQS, a second monitoring station was established in the Augusta area.
This station is located near Riverside Elementary School in Columbia County. Air
quality data collected at this location contim1ed the ozone levels recorded at the EPD site.
The data from F AQS monitoring sites across the state also indicate that Augusta's air
quality problems are a product of regional factors, meaning that there is little individual
communities can do to resolve pollution on their own. EPD officials believe that most
solutions to air quality problems in Augusta will come from planned control measures at
the state and federal levels.
Days Exceeding a-Hour Ozone Standard
EPD Monitor - Richmond County
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2-
o
14
5
8
6
7
3
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
8-10
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
Communities whose three-year averages for ozone exceed the nti'donal 8-hour standard of
0.085 ppm are to be designated as non-attainment areas. Based on the monitoring data, it
appears likely that Augusta will be designated an ozone non-attainment area by the U. S.
Environmental Protection agen'cy in the spring of 2004. Augusta may also be designated
non-attainment for tine particulate Matter (PM 2.5). Monitoring data for the years 2000 -
2002 indicates that the amount of PM 2.5 is slightly above the standard of 15 micrograms
per cubic meter.
Non-attainment designation has implications for economic development and
transportation in the city. Under non-attainment, ne\v or expanding industry that
generates emissions would be subject to EP A's New Source Review program. The
program requires that new plants and major modifications of existing plants obtain a
permit before construction, which will be issued only if the new plant or major
modification includes pollution control measures that reflect the best technology
available.
Under the Clean Air Act, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in non-
attainment areas must demonstrate through the transp0l1ation conformity process that
planned transportation investments, strategies and programs, taken as a whole, have air
quality impacts consistent with the Georgia State Implementation Plan (SIP), and that.
emissions do not exceed the SIP targets for emissions from mobile sources.
Transportation conformity is essentially a. way to ensure that Federal funding and
approval are given to those transportation activities that are consistent with air quality
goals. If the Augusta area's transportation plan, program, or an individual project does
not meet conformity, transportation .officials have the following options:
o Modify the plan, program, or project to offset the expected emissions
o Work with the Georgia EPD to modifY the SIP to offset the plan, program, or
project emissions
Should the modifications not be achieved, and if a conformity determination cannot be
made within certain time frames after amending the SIP; conformity' lapses and no new
transportation projects may advance until a newconfonnity detennination can be made.
During a conformity lapse, FHW A and .FT A can only make approvals on grants for
projects that are exempt from the conformity process, such as safety projects, and
transportation control measures included in an approved SIP.
As the F AQS continued, local and state officials took additional steps to prepare for non-
attainment designation. Between September 2000 and June 2001, The Augusta MPO
sponsored three Interagency Consultation meetings. Interagency consultation is an
integral pm1 of the transportation conformity process designed to ensure that state and
local agencies work cooperatively to resolye air quality and related transp0l1ation issues.
The IAC meetings provided an opportunity for all the stakeholders to get acquainted and
to discuss relevant issues. lAC meetings were .suspended when, it became apparent that
non-attainment designations were going to be delayed. It is anticipated that lAC
meetings will resume after non-attainment designations are official.
8-11
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
In March, 2001, the Augusta MPO 's Policy Committee endorsed a resolution authorizing
the MPO to enter into a memorandum of agreement with certain federal agencies and the
South Carolina Department of Transportation regarding interagency consultation
procedures in South Carolina. Part of Aiken County is within the Augusta MPO's study
area. The memorandum of agreement spells out the criteria and procedures for the
determination of the confonnity of transportation plans, programs and projects in South
Carolina areas designated as non-attainment or maintenance for national air quality
standards. By the spring of 2002, the memorandum of agreement was signed by Augusta
MPO representatives, the other MPOs in South Carolina, and the relevant state and
federal agencies.
In December 2002, the city of Augusta entered into an Early Action Compact (EAC) with
Georgia EPD and U. S. EPA The EAC is a Memorandum of Agreement for the express
purpose of developing and implementing an Early Action Plan (EAP) that will reduce
ozone levels in the Augusta area to maintain compliance with the 8-hour ozone standard.
The EAC represents a proactive effort to meet air quality standards sooner than required
(by December 31, 2007) under the 8-hour ozone implementation rule. Among the
potential benefits of participation in the EAC are the following:
o A positive impact on public health and the environment.
o Public health benefits will be realized by meeting the more stringent 8-hour
ozone standard sooner than required.
o Partnerships working together to implement local control strategies to
maintain clean air and provide public health protection.
o Positive public reaction for voluntarily addressing air pollution problems
ahead of federal requirements.
o Deferral of effective date of non-attainment designation thereby deferring
costly and potentially unnecessary requirements associated with non-
attainment. This includes deferral of New Source Review and Transportation
Conformity requirements.
Since signing the EAC, the city has worked with other stakeholders to evaluate possible
emission reduction control strategies and to develop a public involvement strategy that
will become part of Augusta's Early Action Plan. On July 18, 2003, the Georgia
Department of Natural Resources recommended to the U.S. EPA that Richmond County
be designated an 8-hour ozone nonattainment area. EP A will make the final decision on
the nonattainment designation in April 2004.
8.4 Water Resources
Water resources are a defining characteristic of Richmond County and vital to the
community's future. The Savannah River is the most visible surface water resource. The
Savannah and its tributaries drain much of the county. Three creeks located in the
Southern Piedmont area of the county - Rock, Rae's, and Crane - drain the northwest part
of the county. Rocky, Butler, Spirit and Little Spirit Creeks drain the Sand Hills
8-12
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
province, consisting of a series of valleys and broad, level ridges. The remaining creeks -
Sandy Run, New I-lope Branch and Rebecca Walker Creek, drain to McBean Creek on
the Burke County line. The Savannah River Iloodplain extends along. the entire
northeastern side of the county and covers approximately 63 square miles. The river
floodplain is relatively flat and includes areas that are continuously wet and s\vampy (e.g.
Phinizy Swamp) and areas that are subject to periodic flooding.
Groundwater resources in Richmond County are found in two major aquifers: the Upper
Cretaceous and Basal Cretaceous aquifers. The Upper Cretaceolis aquifer, the shallower
of the two reservoirs, is not extensively developed. Most of the 'groundwater used in the
county is pUlnped from the Basal Cretaceous aquifer. The. Georgia Depm1ment of
Natural Resources classifies the Cretaceous aquifer as a significant groundwater recharge
area.
In recent years, the city of Augusta has taken several steps to protect its water resources.
These steps include:
o Adoption of ordinances and regulations to protect aquifers and groundwater
recharge areas, \vater supply watersheds, and the Savannah River Corridor.
These ordinances enacted in accordance with environmental standards
established by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
o Amendments to the .Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance to increase
restrictions on developing within the 100-year Iloodplain of streams and
rIvers.
o Completed the Augusta Watershed Assessment. This two-year project
identified areas where surface water is affected by pollution and developed
strategies for protecting and improving water quality.
o Completed the Augusta-Central Savannah River Basin Source Water
Assessment. This two-year project evaluated the. susceptibility of public
water systems in the river basin to draw water contaminated by identified
sources at concentrations that would pose a health concern. In addition to
Augusta, other communities that participate in the project inCluded Columbia
County, the City of Waynesboro, the City of Lincolnton, and Thomson-
McDuffie County:
o Completed Fecal Coliform TMDL Implementation Plans for Rocky Creek and
Butler Creek. The plans identify regulatory and non-regulatory measures
designed to reduce fecal coliforn1 levels in these two creeks so that. they meet
the applicable water quality standards.
,0 Implementation of water and sewer systeh1 improvement projects.' Bond-.
financed projects that will impact water quality and quantity include providing
sewer service to unsewered areas, upgrading and expanding water and
wastewater treatment facilities,. tlpgrading existing wastewater interceptor
lines, and infiltration/inflow reductions in the wastewater collection system.
o Implementation of a Stormwater. Management Program and a Water Quality
Monitoring Program in accordance with requirements of the Federal Clean
Water Act. The Stonnwater Management Program is designed to reduce non-
8.,13
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
o point source pollution. The objective of the Water Quality Monitoring
Program is to monitor the health of local watersheds and develop procedures
to maintain water quality.
o Developed and implemented a Community Greenspace Program in
accordance with Sec. 36-22-1 et seq. of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated. Adopted by the Augusta Commission in November 2000, and
updated in October 2002, the Greenspace Program is designed to preserve up
to 20% of the city's land area as greenspace. Areas targeted for protection
include lands along the Savannah River, within Phinizy Swamp, and adjacent
to local creeks and streams.
8.1.1 Aquifer and Groundwater Recharge Areas
. Aquifers are soils or rocks in which groundwater is stored. Aquifers vary widely in size
and depth and are used for drinking water, irrigation, and manufacturing processes.
Recharge is the process by which precipitation infiltrates soil and rock to add to the
volume of water stored in aquifers. A recharge area is any portion of the earth's surface
where water infiltrates into the ground to replenish an aquifer
The two major aquifers in Augusta-Richmond County are the Upper Cretaceous and
Basal Cretaceous aquifers. The Upper Cretaceous aquifer is the shallower of the two
reservoirs, and is not extensively developed. Most of the groundwater used in the city is
pumped from the Basal Cretaceous aquifer. The recharge area for the Cretaceous aquifer
covers the majority of Richmond County, and is classified as a significant groundwater
, '
recharge area by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. According to DNR's
Ground-Water Pollution Susceptibility Map of Georgia, Hydrologic Atlas 20, some of the
recharge area has a high susceptibility to pollution and some has a medium susceptibility
to pollution.
At the present time, groundwater availability in the aquifers is still good. However, DNR
is concerned about the stress placed on the aquifers and has urged the city to pursue
surface water as an alternative source of supply for drinking water. The city is in the
process of making improvements to the water supply system that will reduce the reliance
on groundwater sources (see discussion of water system in Community Facilities
chapter). Pumping in the vicinity of Augusta Regional Airport has modified the natural
west-to-east flow system of the aquifer. A cone of depression exists immediately west of
the airport, and data indicates that the aquifer is also stressed in the vicinity of a nearby
industrial complex. In the spring of 2001 the city had to discontinue pumping from four
existing wells to compensate for new well fields that were brought on line off Old
Waynesboro Road.
In October 1998 the Augusta Commission adopted a Groundwater Recharge Area.
Protection Ordinance in accordance with state environmental standards. The objectives
of the ordinance are:
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
1. Protect groundwater quality by restricting land uses that generate, use or
store dangerous pollutants in recharge areas;
2. Protect groundwater quality by limiting the density of development; and
3. Protect groundwater quality by ensuring that any development that occurs
within the recharge area shall have no adverse effect on groundwater
quality.
The ordinance established the Groundwater Recharge Area District that coincides with
the Cretaceous aquifer recharge area. Within the district, no building permit, site plan or
subdivision plan will be approved unless it is in compliance with the groundwater
protection standards. The standards that apply throughout the district include the
following:
o New hazardous waste treatment or disposal facilities are prohibited.
o New waste disposal facilities must have synthetic liners and leachate
collection systems. _
o New facilities involving the handling, storage and disposal of hazardous
lliaterials shall take place on an impermeable surface having an approved spill
and leak collection system.
o New above-ground chemical or petroleum storage tanks larger than 660
gallons must have a secondary containment of 110% of the volume of the tank
or llO% of the volume of the largest tank in a cluster of tanks.
Additional standards apply depending on whether the affected site within the district has
a low; mediuli1 or high susceptibility to pollution. The requirements are as follows:
"Recharge Areas with Low Susceptibility to 'Pollution
o "New agricultural waste impoundment sites larger than 50 acre-feet must be
lined.
o Any new home served by septic. tank/drain field system must be approved by
the Richmond County Health Department' and must have a lot ,that .is:'at: least
110% of the minimum lot size required by Table MT -1 of the Department of
Human Resource's Manual for On-site Sewage Management Systems. "
o Any new manufactured home park served by a septic tank/drain field system
must be approved by the Richmond County Health Department and must have
a lot or space that is at least 110% of the minimum lot or space size required
by Table MT-2 of the Department of Human Resource's Manual for On-Site
Sewage Management Systems; . '
Recharge Areas with Medium Susceptibility to Pollution
o New agricultural waste impoundment sites larger than 15 acre-feet must be
lined.
o Any new home served by septic tank/drain field system must be approved by
the Richmond County Health Department and must have a lot that is at least
2
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
125% of the minimum lot size required by Table MT -1 of the Department of
Human Resource's Manual for On-site Sewage Management Systems.
o A new manufactured home park served by a septic tank/drain field system
must be approved by the Richmond County Health Department and must have
a lot or space that is at least 125% of the minimum lot or space size required
by Table MT-2 of the Department of Human Resource's Manual for On-Site
Sewage Management Systems.
Recharge Areas with High Susceptibility to Pollution
o All new agricultural waste impoundment sites mustbe lined.
o Any new home served by septic tank/drain field system must be approved by
the Richmond County Health Department and must have a lot that is at least
150% of the minimum lot size required by Table MT-l of tbe Department of
I-Iuman Resource's Manual for On-site Sewage Management Systems.
o Any new manufactured home park served by a septic tank/drain field system
must be approved by the Richmond County Health Department and must have
a lot or space that is at least 150% of the minimum lot or space size required
by Table MT-2 of the Department of Human Resource's Manual for On-Site
Sewage Management Systems.
o Spray irrigation of wastewater or the land spreading of \vastewater sludges
must be approved by DNR.
o Permanent storm water intiltration basins are prohibited.
o New wastewater treatment basins (except for mining settling basins) must
have an impern1eable liner and be approved by DNR.
To date, the primary impact of the Groundwater Recharge Ordinance has been on the
minimum lot size for homes (stick-built or manufactured) with septic tanks and located in
agricultural zones. Prior to enactment of the ordinance the minimum lot size for any new
home served by a septic tank/drain tield, and located in an Agricultural Zone, was 16,000
square feet (20,000 sq. ft. for a flagpole lot). The new minimum lot size requirements
vary, depending on the"soil type, slope of the lot, and level of pollution susceptibility, but
the overall effect is that the minimum lot size has increased to an average of 3 7 ,500
square feet (.86 acre).
In addition to the Groundwater Recharge Area Protection Ordinance, Augusta continues
to implement other projects to protect groundwater and recharge areas:
o Separation of remaining combined storm and sanitary sewer collection
systems.
o Implementation of infiltration/inflow reductions in the sanitary sewer
collection systems.
o Extending sanitary sewer service to unsewered subdivisions.
o Extending sanitary sewer service to growth areas.
3
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
8.1.2 Wetlands
Under the Clean Water Act, the term wetlands means "those areas that are inundated or
saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support,
and that' under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically
adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps,
marshes, bogs and similar areas." (EPA Regulations at 40 CFR 230.3) Wetlands are
important to both the environment and the economy. Wetlands provide a wide range of .
'benefits that include habitat, support of commercial and recreational fisherIes, reduction
offlood damages, and abatement of water pollution.
In Richmond County wetlands are located adjacent to the Savannah River, the Augusta
Canal, and the major creeks and tributaries that drain the, county. The largest
concentration of wetlands is found in -the Phinizy Swamp, the large floodplain of the
Savannah River located on the east side of the county. Local wetlands provide a habitat
for native plants and animals, provide a place for migrating birds to rest and feed, absorb
and slow floodwaters, and filter pollutants before they reach the Savannah River and
- other watetbodies. The Phinizy Swamp is being used to educate children and adults
about the important functions of wetlands. and the need to protect and preserve them.
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EP A) estimates that more than half of the'
original wetlands in the continental United States have been drained and convel1ed to
other uses. Common human activitie~ that degrade - wetlands include hydrologic
alterations, pollution inputs, and vegetation damage. Examples of hydrologic alterations
include:
o Deposition offill material for development.
o Drainage of development, farming and mosquito controls.
o Dredging and stream channelization for navigation, development and flood
control. '
o Diking and damming to form-ponds and lakes.
":bDiversion of flow to or from wetlands
o Addition of impervious surfaces in the watershed, thereby increasing water
and pollutant runoff into wetlands.
Examples of pollutants that degrade wetlands include sediment, fertilizer, human sewage,
animal waste, pesticides, and heavy metals., Wetland pI ants are susceptible to
degradation from hydrological changes, pollution inputs, grazing by domestic animals,
and the introduction of nonnative plants. Stornls ,and droughts are examples of natural
activities that can damage wetlands.
The city of Augusta, in cooperation with . residents, developers, environmental
organizations, educators, and others, participates in a variety of programs to protect
wetlands and improve water quality. The types of active programs include the
monitoring and assessment of water quality, permitting, TMDLs, and public
outreach/education.
4
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
Monitoring/Assessment - Monitoring and assessment of water quality on local creeks was
an integral part of the recently-completed Augusta Watershed Assessment. As part of the
project, Parsons Engineering Science, Inc. and CSRA Laboratories installed eight (8)
water quality monitoring stations throughout the county. At least one monitoring station
was located on each of the major creeks. These stations monitor flow, temperature,
rainfall and chemical composition of the creeks. Additionally, Parsons conducted
biological monitoring within the creek watersheds. Assessment of the monitoring data
pinpointed water quality issues in each of the creeks. The monitoring stations will
remain and be used by the Augusta Utilities Department to track future changes in water
quality.
Permitting - The City of Augusta participates in the major permitting programs of the
Clean Water Act including the following:
Clean Water Act Section 404 -. Section 404 establishes program to
regulate the discharge of dredged and fill material into waters of the
United States, including wetlands. Activities that are regulated include
tills for development, water resource projects (such as dams and levees),
infrastructure development (such as highways and airports), and
conversion of wetlands to uplands for farming and forestry. Augusta's
land subdivision and site plan regulations req1Jire applicants to delineate
affected wetlands on all submittals, and to provide evidence that a Section
404 permit has been issued by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, prior to
approval of any development plan or site plan.
NPDES Permit - As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program
controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge
pollutants into waters of the United States. Examples of regulated point
sources include industrial and municipal wastewater treatment systems
that discharge directly to surface. waters. The city of Augusta participates
in this program, which is administered at the state level by the Georgia
DNR Environmental Protection Division (EPD). The City holds valid
NPDES Permits for both the Messerly and Spirit Creek wastewater
treatment plants.
Georgia EPD currently requires municipalities with population generally over 100,000 to
obtain an NPDES permit to operate a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4).
Augusta has an MS4 permit for a program to reduce nonpoint source pollution and
monitor water quality. In 2003 EPD will prepare a general permit under which Augusta
and other communities will have to implement a stormwater management program. The
MS4 permit mandates a minimum of six control measures:
o Public education and outreach
o Public participation/involvement
,5
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
o ]\licit discharge detection and elimination
o Construction site runotT
o Post-construction runoff control
o Pollution prevention/good housekeeping
The stormwater management program must be phased in over the initial 5-year pennit
period. .
TMDLs - A TMDL or Total Maxilllum Daily Load is a calculation of the maximum
amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards,
and an allocation of that amount to the pollutant's sources. The state of Georgia has a
com1-mandated schedule for development of TMDLs that is the most aggressive in the
country. Augusta has completed TMDL Implementation Plans for Rocky and Butler
Creeks with the help of the CSRA Regional Development Center. The implementation
plans identify regulatory and non-regulatory measures designed to reduce fecal coliform
levels in the two creeks. Recently completed watershed assessments for Augusta and the
Central Savannah River Basin provide additional strategies for watershed management to
meet the anticipated TMDLs.
Public Outreach/Education - Recent watershed planning projects have afforded the city
an opportunity to increase public outreach and education regarding water quality and
,protection. A website was established to keep the public informed about progress on the
Augusta Watershed Assessment., A project newsletter was published that provided
information on a wide variety of water related issues. An Enviroscope watershed model
,is used to teach c)lildi'en about how a watershed works. Enviroscope demonstrations
have been conducted at area schools, the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Fort
Discovery. . In cooperation with the Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy, the city
sponsors tours of its "constructed" wetlands project located within the Phinizy Swamp
Nature Park. ,The wetland cells serve to reduce the nutrients in Augusta's wastewater
using bacteria, plants and soils. The plants provide a place for the bacteria to break down
the nutrients before the' water is released 'into Butler Creek. As a follow~up to the
Watershed Assessment, the city establishe,d the' Watershed Roundtable, a committee
. charged with continuing water resource: planning' and developing public outreach
initiatives. The Watershed Roundtable includes representatives from government, the
private sector, non-profit organizations 'and environmental groups.
8.1.3 Water Supply Watersheds
The Georgia Department of Natura] Resources (DNR) defines a water supply watershed
as the area of land upstream of a govenill1entally owned public drinking water intake or
water supply reservoir. DNR has established minimum criteria for the protection of
drinking water watersheds. This protection is necessary for the enhancement of public
'health, safety and welfare, as well as to.assure'that surface sources of drinking water are
of high quality in order to be treated to meet ail State and Federal drinking water
standards. Separate criteria have been-established for large watersheds (100+ square
6
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
miles in the drainage basin) and small watersheds (< 100 square miles in the drainage
basin).
The removal of vegetation and the introduction of paving for roads, parking lots,
driveways and other impervious services increase run-ofT on a site. This in turn increases
erosion, flooding and sedimentation of water sources. The DNR criteria establish buffer
zone requirements adjacent to perennial streams and specify allowable impervious
surface densities adjacent to such streams. These requirements are designed to prevent
intensive development of a water supply watershed from contaminating a water source to
a point where it cannot be treated to meet drinking water standards.
Richmond County contains one large watershed and one small watershed. The Middle
Savannah River Watershed is the large watershed. The City of Augusta's water supply
comes from the Savannah River via the Augusta Canal. The Augusta Lock and Dam,
located on the canal approximately 4 miles above the raw water pumping station, controls
water flow into the canal.
The part of the Butler Creek Watershed above Butler Reservoir is the small watershed.
The watershed is located in northwest Richmond 'County, and a portion of Columbia
County, and covers approximately 15 square miles. The watershed drains to Butler
Reservoir, which is the source of \vater for Fort Gordon. The Fort is pem1itted to
withdraw 5.4 MGD from the reservoir. The watershed is characterized by low-density
residential development, woodlands and scattered commercial uses. Since the opening of
the Jimmie Dyess Parkway in 1998, urban development has increased in the watershed
area. Other planned road improvement projects will no doubt increase development
pressure.
Augusta currently has in place several ordinances and programs to protect water supply
watersheds from pollution or alteration. This includes a group of land use and
development ordinances, as well as an ordinance that applies to the large Middle
Savannah River Watershed. A brief summary of the ordinances follows.
.., --
Water Supply Watershed Protection Ordinance - The purpose of this ordinance is to
establish measures to protect the quality and quantity of the surface water supply for the
city. It establishes a water supply watershed district covering an area within a seven (7)
mile radius of the city's water supply intake on the Augusta Canal (Savannah River).
Within the district, any new facilities that handle hazardous materials must perform their
operations on impermeable surfaces having spill and leak collection systems. The
Augusta Commission adopted the ordinance in October 1998 to comply with Georgia
DNR's Pm1 V environmental standards.
Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance - The purpose of this ordinance is to
control soil erosion and sedimentation resulting from land-disturbing activity. The
ordinance includes minimum requirements or best management practices (BMPs)' for
erosion and sedimentation control, and establishes a process for the review and approval
7
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
of Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plans. The ordinance alsO includes enforcement
and penalty provisions.
Tree Ordinance - This ordinance, .first enacted in 1992, provides standards for the
protection of trees located on public property, designates landmark trees, and establishes
landscaping standards that apply to the development of private property. A Tree
Commission is charged with reviewing and approving the Oreenspace Plans submitted by
private developers. Among other things, the ordinance is designed to prevent soil
erosion,. retard storm water runon: and reduce the amount of impervious. surfaces on
development sites.
Other Ordinances and Regulations - Other ordinances and regulations that serve in pm1
to protect water resources include the City's zoning ordinance, subdivision regulations,
site plan regulations, grading ordinance, flood damage prevention ordinance, and
stonnwater management ordinance. Among other things, these ordinances and
regulations limit the types of land uses allowed in an area, restrict the amount of
impervious surface on a lot, require retention and detention facilities to control surface
water runoff, and restrict development within floodplains.
8.1.4 Riyer and Stream Corridors
Floodplains - As a body of water (e.g. river, stream, or creek) erodes and deposits
material, it may shift its course and over a period of time build up a deposit of material in
its valley bottom. This deposited material takes the shape of a plain, called a floodplain,
which forms at elevations near that of the water's surface. About 25 percent of
Richmond County (43,600 acres) is comprised of floodplains, stream terraces,. and
interstream divides. According to Flood Insurance Rates Maps / Flood Boundary and
Floodway Maps published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
floodplains are located within and adjacent to the Savannah River and its tributaries (e.g.
Rock, Rae's, Crane, Rocky; Butler, Spirit ahd McBean. Creeks). The 100-year flood also
referred to as the "base flood" is defineclas the flood having a one percent probability of
being equaled or exceeded in any.;,given year. .
Congress established the National Flood Insilrance Program (NFIP) with the passage of
the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968. The National Flood Insurance Program
enables property owners in participating communities to purchase insurance protection
against losses from flooding. The insurance. is designed to provide an insurance
alternative to disaster assistance 1'0 meet the escalating cost of repairing damage to
buildings and their contents caused by floods. The NFIP was broadened and modified
with the passage of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and other legislative
measures. The program is. administered by the Federal Insurance Administration, a
division of~he Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Participation in the NFIP is based.on an agreement between local communities and the
federal government. Basically, if a community adopts and enforces measures to reduce
future flood risks to new construction in special flood hazard areas, the federal
8
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
government makes flood insurance available within the community as a financial
protection against flood losses \vhich do occur.
Augusta has participated in the NFl P for approximately 30 years. The city also has Flood
Damage Prevention Ordinance that is based on FEMA's model ordinance. The ordinance
requires anyone who wants to grade, fill, erect a structure, or otherwise develop in a
floodplain to obtain a permit before starting any land disturbance or construction. The
ordinance includes specific standards for development in floodplains and requires the
filing of an Elevation Certificate before the city issues a celiificate of occupancy:' A
group of maps delineate the applicable areas in the city susceptible to flooding during the
100-year and 500-year design floods. The maps are the basis for determining the areas
regulated by the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance.
The flood ordinance is amended on occasion to conform to new federal regulations, to
correct deficiencies, and to address new issues. Areawide flooding caused by tropical
downpours in October 1990 is one event that triggered ordinance revisions in recent
years. Some of the recent ordinance amendments include:
o Separating the floodway fringe into two areas, the upper floodway fringe and
the lower floodway fringe. No encroachments, structures, or fill are permitted
in the lower flood way fringe unless an engineer certifies that the
encroachments will not trigger a rise in the base flood elevation.
o Manufacture homes must meet all the requirements for new construction,
including elevation and anchoring.
o Ne\v construction or substantial improvement of any structure or
manufactured home located in a Special Flood Hazard Area shall have the
lowest floor elevated at least three (3) feet above the base flood elevation.
The city has also developed a Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan. The purpose of the Flood
Hazard Mitigation Plan is to assess flood risks and to articulate a comprehensive strategy
for implementing flood mitigation activities. The plan outlines the risks associated with
flooding, describes the existing conditions in Augusta, describes existing mitigation
programs and activities, and presents a list of recommended mitigation strategies and
activities.
Having a Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan makes the city eligible to apply for Flood
Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grants from FEMA FMA project grants are an integral
part of the city's strategy to purchase property with a history of repeat damage from
. floods. Since 2000, the city has purchased a total of 12 homes in the vicinity of Rae's and
Rocky Creeks. FMA grants have funded 75 percent of the cost of the buyouts, with state
(15%) and local (10%) government funds accounting for the rest. The Augusta
Emergency Management Agency is also developing a data base of additional properties
with repetitive flood losses. The data base will be used to target additional properties for
acquisition, and to identify flooding problems that can be corrected by local stonn
drainage improvements.
9
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
8.1.5 Protected River Corridor
The Savannah River is a protected river under the Georgia Mountain and River Corridor
Protection Act. The Savannah River is a unique resource and has played a central role in
the history and development of Augusta and surrounding communities. At Augusta the
river rolls over the fall line separating the Piedmont and Coastal Plain physiographic
provinces. The river supp0l1s a variety of plants, animals and wildlife and enhances the
quality of life for residents.
Floodways, floodplains and wetlands are the predominant land uses along the Savannah
River. The shallow waters at the fall line expose several small islands in the river just
upstream from downtown Augusta. Other land uses within the river corridor include part
of a stone quarry, part of the Augusta Canal, the Augusta Waterworks pumping station,
part of the Savannah River levee, and some single-family residences.
In 1994 the city adopted a River Corridor Protection Plan as an amendment to the
Comprehensive Plan. The Protection Plan iricludes an overview of the river corridor, an
assessment of corridor protection measures and an implementation strategy. In 1998 the
city amended the zoning ordinance by establishing the Savannah River Corridor
'Protection District. The river corridor protection district extends 100 feet horizontally
from the river bank. The existing natural vegetative buffer must be maintained within the
district and new land uses are limited to single-family residences (minimum 2-acre lot),
agricultural and timber production, wildlife and fisheries management, recreational. uses,
and some other public facilities and utilities. ' Handling, receiving, storage and disposal of
hazardous wastes are prohibited in the district.
8.2 Grecnspace Program
In November 2000 the city of Augusta adopted a Community Greenspace Program in
accordance with regulations in the Official Code of Georgia AIIDotated, Section 36-22-2
et seq. The city's Greenspace Program was 'updated in-the fall of2002. The goal of the
program is to permanently preserve twenty percent (20%) of, Augusta's 'land area as
greenspace. The Greenspace Program identifies areas for protection, including lands
along the Savannah River, within PhinizySwamp, and along the major creeks (Butler,
Rae's, Rock, Rocky, Spirit and McBean). It lists the tools to preserve greenspace,
including fee simple acquisition, conservation easement acquisition, restrictive
covenants, and negotiated or privately-initiated easements or covenants. There are also a
number of local ordinances that protect lands along the river and creeks.
The Greenspace Program serves as the -basis for the expenditure of funds (local, donated,
grants from the Georgia Greenspace Commission) for greenspace protection. To date the
. local Greenspace program has received $1,113,013 in grant funds for the Georgia
Greenspace Commission (FY 2001 and FY 2Q02 funds combined). Some of these funds
have been used to permanently protect 649 acres of land along the Savannah River and
parts of Butler and Spirit Creeks.
10
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
The objective of the program is to permanently protect land along the Savannah River
and all major creeks in the county. Greenspace along the river will include multi-use
trails along the Augusta Canal and the river levee from Columbia County to the New
Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam Recreational Area and the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park,
both located south of downtown. The Butler Creek Greenway will extend for nine miles
along the creek from n0l1h of Deans Bridge Road to New Savannah Bluff. Connections
to greenspace areas in Columbia County and North Augusta, South Carolina are
envisioned as part of the trail network. In addition, local funds are being used by the
Central Savannah River Land Trust to market the program and to conduct negotiations
with property owners.
The Augusta-Richmond County Planning Commission and the Central Savannah River
Land Trust jointly administer the Greenspace Program on behalf of the city. The Land
Trust is a non-profit organization capable of accepting donations of land and conservation
easements designed to pennanently protect sensitive environmental resources. A broad-
based group of citizens and organizations are involved in the Greenspace program.
Among them are the Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy, the Augusta Canal
Authority, Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, Sierra Club, the Nature Conservancy,
the Builders Association of Metro Augusta, Savannah Riverkeeper, the Georgia Forestry
Commission, and several neighborhood organizations.
8.3 Summary and Needs Assessment
Augusta is blessed with natural resources that contribute to progress and enhance the
quality of life in the community. The local climate, soils, air quality, water resources,
plant and animal habitat, forests and park and recreation areas serve as attractors for new
development. As urban development continues it is important to protect natural
resources and enlist public support and participation in protection measures.
Fortunately, environmental stewardship is a goal of many in the community, not just the
local government. Educators and non-profit organizations teach children and adults
about how the natural' environment works and methods to protect natural resources.
Hands-on activities and experiences are available at facilities such as the Phinizy Swamp
Nature Park and the Spirit Creek Educational Forest. Business and industry support the
work of environmental organizations, participate in programs related to air and water
quality assessment, and comply with applicable environmental regulations in their own
operations. Stakeholders as diverse as farmers, hunters, bird watchers, and
environmental engineers are working together to protect our: natural resources.
This chapter provided an overview of natural resources in Augusta and the steps being
taken by the local government to protect them. Examples of local government measures
include the monitoring and assessment of some resources, planning for long-term
protection, enforcement of ordinances and regulations, public outreach and education,
and capital improvements. These and other initiatives have improved the condition of
some resources and heightened community awareness of the continuing threats to the
natural environment. Still, much remains to be done to correct past mistakes and assure a
11
Chapter 8 - Natural Resources & Greenspace
better future for our remaining natural resources. The city of Augusta intends to continue
the following natural resource protection activities.
Administer and Enforce Ordinances - The City will continue to administer and enforce
the natural resource protection ordinances outlined in this chapter. The city will amend
the ordinances as necessary and respond with new ordinances if the need arises. In the
near term, water supply watershed protection is needed in the Butler Creek watershed
above Butler Reservoir.
Implementation of Best Management Practices - The City will implement structural and
non-structural BMPs in order to protect water resources and limit the effect of point and
non-point sources of pollution. This includes such initiatives as making improvements to
the water and sewer systems, adopting appropriate stormwater management guidelines,
and establishing a long-term surface water-monitoring program.
Public Outreach / Education - The City will.work with stakeholders to develop solutions
to environmental problems and to foster the sharing of information related to
environmental quality and protection. The recently formed Watershed Rountable is one
example of the city's public outreach efforts.
Expand Community Greenspace Program - The City will build on the initial success of
the Community Greenspace program. The city will aggressively pursue the protection of
additional lands through fee simple acquisition, purchase of easements, restrictive
covenants and donation of land. The city will also take steps to reduce or eliminate the
barriers to achieving greenspace protection, as detailed in the Community Greenspace
Program.
..'
12
p
'"
~
wtz
()
..,
CD
CD
"
en
Qo
en
.-+
..,
CD
0)
3
en
tri
p
'"
p
~
;;.
CD
CIl
&
'>)>>
lJ
00
()~
r;:-O
/
~~~
~-f>
00
~~
-;:;
~
~
~
'6
~
::i.
~~~
Ol)~
'P-~~
1)'0
o
..,
0)
::;'
0)
<C
CD
OJ
0)
en
::;'
~
ootz
[] I I
O'"'C
.., ~.
(;')<
.., l>>
nl -
nl nl
~ r-
tJj l>>
't:' ~
l>> C.
(") -
nl 0
"'CO'
a nl
_0
nl 0
g.~
-. tJj
o -.
~ C.
nl
..,
nl
C.
(;')"'C
.., nl
nl ..,
nl 3
~ l>>
tJj ;j
"Cnl
l>> ~
(") -
nl -
'<
"'C
..,
o
-
nl
(")
-
nl
C.
! i ih
- l. ..;
D ~ f ~i.j
Ii ~1 :I!
;:, h [H
;1 !i ~~F
'"rlPI>
. l 0' ·
,rj:'~~~
l'; ~! in :
,.,~ ! r I U r
iil,.af
.:, i" i:. II
~: : i 1.1i
I! el .Ii
II .. r.:.
". ~ I ! i.
i {~.f
! i Hi
i ; q~
O'"'C
.., s:::
(;')2:
.., -.
nl (")
nlr-
~ l>>
tJj ~
"Cc.
l>> _
(") 0
nl
"'CO'
.., nl
o 0
-0
~ ~
~tJj
o -.
~ g.
..,
nl
C.
m
"'-t:"l
~ ~;;-
;::.,r:
33"
III ~~
o. ::
= n
H!~
1',0....
~~g
'"
~
""l
tD
tD
=
t"-l
"'0
~
f"')
~
~
""l
Q
~
""l
~
e
>
c
(JQ
c
rJ)
s-
I
10
o'
::r'
3
o
:::s
0-
n
o
c
:::s
9
~
OJ
C
""l
~
CD
n
o
c
::s
~
n
o
s:::
3
tT
iii'
n
o
s:::
~
~
-;J>--
-.
~
(I)
::s
n
o
c
::s
~
en
n
Chapter 9- Land Use
9. Introduction
Land use is at the heart of planning for the future of the city. The extent, timing, and
location of new development, or reuse of existing developed land, depend in large part on
the factors covered in the preceding chapters. Population growth, economic development,
community facilities, housing, the transportation system, and natural and historic
resources all impact land use.
The purpos~ of this chapter is to profile existing land use patterns and trends and forecast
future land use )n Augusta. In assessing existing land use, the chapter reviews the factors
contributing to land use patterns, the problems with development patterns, and the
constraints placed on development The future land pse plan reflects the community's
desire to guide and direct future growth, and includes policies that support and rellect the
economic, housing, community facilities; and natural and historic resource. goals and
policies of the comprehensive plan. A future land use map is included that Teflects these
-oven'iding goals, policies and strategies.
9.1 Inventory of Existing Land Use
A mix of land uses that reflect an older city combined with newer suburbs and semi-rural
areas characterizes Augusta. Land use within the "old" city limits includes neighborhoods
of varying ages, a central business district, concentrations of public / institutional uses,
commercia' uses in shopping centers and on individual sites, and industrial uses on
scattered sites. These uses are connected by a series of streets and highways, most of
which are laid out on a grid pattern. In many cases, residential, commercial and industrial..
uses are in close proximity to one another, rellecting development that occurred prior to
enactment of the local zoning ordinance.
In contrast, that part of the city formerly in unincorporated Richmond County is
characterized by a land use pattern more like a community that developed after World
War II. Major urban land uses (residential, commercial, industrial and institutional) are
separated from one another. Detached, single-family residences insllbdivisions,
apartment complexes, and manufactured - homes are the predominant residential uses.
Strip commercial development is prevalent along all of the major arterial highways and
consists of shopping centers, office complexes, and businesses on individual sites. Major
manufacturing plants are situated- in industrial parks or on individual sites in close
proximity to highways and railroad lines. At the fringe of the urbanized part of the city,
development becomes sparse and gives way to more open space, some farms, residences
on larger lots, and woodlands.
An inventory of existing land . use was completed to establish the type, spatial
distribution, and intensity of development within Augusta. Individual parcels or groups of
parcels were classified by primary use and the classifications were then transferred to a
map depicting existing land use. The inventory is based on a combination of info'rmation
from several sources, including the original comprehensive plan completed in 1992, the
1995 land use update, neighborhood plans completed in 1995-1996, and a digitized land
9-1
Chapter 9- Land Use
use inventory completed by the CSRA Regional Development Center in 1999-2001.
Planning Commission staff used aerial photographs, site plans, subdivision plats and
other sources to document the most recent land use changes.
Land uses are classified under the following twelve categories on both the Existing and
Future Land Use maps.
. Rural Residential - This category includes residential uses at a density of less than
one unit per acre. The majority of this acreage consists of single-family detached
homes and manufactured homes on relatively large lots, most of which are located in
the extreme southern part of the city.
. Low-Density Urban Residential - This category includes residential uses at a
density of one-to-six units per acre. The majority of this acreage consists of single-
family, detached houses clustered in subdivisions located between major arterial
highways and collector streets. Several older neighborhoods contain high
concentrations of historic singIe- family and duplex residential structures.
Manufactured homes comprise about 10% of the housing market and are located on
individual lots and in manuf~lctured home parks.
. High-Densit)' Urban Residential - The bulk of the high-density residential land use
is in apartment complexes located in close proximity to major roads, shopping centers
and entertainment facilities. It also includes Augusta I-lousing Authority complexes
scattered around the city.
. Professional Office - Professional offices are located in a variety of settings,
including high-rise office, buildings, office parks, stand-alone stmctures, and
converted residences. In Augusta they tend to be concentrated near institutional uses,
such as hospitals and government facil ities, and in suburban locations visible and
accessible to the general public. The few high-rise office buildings in Augusta are
located downtown and in the vicinity of the 1-520/ Wheeler Road interchange.
. Commercial - Commercial uses are concentrated in the central business district, in
strip centers and individual lots on arterial streets, in shopping centers, and on
scattered sites in older neighborhoods. The largest centers are located at interstate
highway interchanges or in close proximity to them. In terms of square footage, the
largest shopping centers in Augusta are Augusta Mall and the Augusta Exchange
Shopping Center.
. Industrial- This category includes manufacturing, warehousing, and surface mining
land uses. It also includes the city landfill. Major manufacturing plants are situated in
industrial parks, or on individual sites, in the east and southeast portions of the city.
Some are also located on scattered sites in the downtown area and in the older city
neighborhoods. Light industrial uses and warehousing operations are located along
some of the collector roads near Interstate 20 and the Bobby Jones Expressway.
9-2
Chapter 9- Land Use
Surface mining operations (e.g. rock, clay, kaolin) are located in the n0l1h and east
parts of the city and near Hephzlbah; .
. Public / Institutional - This category includes ce11ain government offices and
facilities, and institutional land uses. Government uses include the municipal building
and other government structures, police and fire stations, libraries, prisons, post
offices, schools, military installations and similar uses. Examples of institutional land
uses include hospitals, churches, cemeteries and colleges.
A number of government offices and facilities are located in downtown Augusta,
including the city's municipal building, the state Department of Labor, the main U.S.
Post Oftice, the main branch of the regional library, and federal, state and local
courts. The mid-town area includes a mix of public and institutional uses, including
University Hospital, the Medical College of Georgia (MCG), MCG Hospital and
Clinics, MCG Children's Medical Center, the Veterans Administration Hospiial,
Paine College, and Walton Rehabilitation Hospital. Augusta State University, the
Uptown V A Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital and Doctors Hospital are other major
institutional uses. Elementary and secondary schools, churches, city fire stations,
branch libraries and post offices are scattered throughout the city. Major state and
federal institutions include Gracewood State School and Hospital, Georgia Regional
Hospital, the Youth Development Center, and the Fort Gordon Military Reservation.
Fort Gordon, which covers about 44,000 acres, is by far the largest facility jn this land
use category.
. Transportation / Communications I- Utilities - The vast majority of this acreage is
in street and highway rights-of-way, but there are also two airports, parts of two
railroad mainlines and two swit~hyards, utility substations, radio towers and cellular
towers. The city's Geographic Information System indicates there is a total of 1,391
miles of roads in Augusta: Interstate highways (43 mi.), state roads (85 mi.), major
county roads (196 mi.), and other roads (1,067 mi.).
, ,..
Park / Recreation / Conservation - This category includes land dedicated to active
or passive recreational uses. Examples iI1clude the city's park and recreation facilities
scattered throughout the community, several public and private golf courses, the
Augusta Canal National Heritage Area, the Phinizy Swamp Wildlife Management
Area, ~nd land purchased or donated under the Community Greenspace Program. The
largest recreation facilities include Diamond Lakes Regional Park, Pendleton King
~ark.' Lake Olmstead and Julian Smith Casino. Golf Courses include the Augusta
Golf Club, Forest Hills ,Golf Course, and Augusta Country Club, the Augusta
National, Goshen Plantation, Green M~adows and Pointe South.,
..;.
.;;,~- -
. Agriculture - This categOl)' includes land dedicated to agriculture, fanning
(cropland, livestock production, specialty farms) or other, similar rural uses sllch as
pasture ,land not in commercial use. Such uses are scattered across the southern part
of the city.
9"3
Chapter 9- Land Use
. Forestry - This category includes land dedicated to commercial timber or pulpwood
harvesting or similar uses such as woodlands not in commercial use. Such uses are
scattered across the southern part of the city and on Fort Gordon.
. Undeveloped - This category includes land not developed or not being used for a
specific purpose. Examples include vacant lots scattered throughout many
neighborhoods, vacant structures that are dilapidated, and floodplains of the Savannah
River and local creeks.
.
Table L-l
Existing Land Use, 2003
Augusta-Richmond County
Augusta Richmond County
Residential 52,052 54,328
Professional Office . 635 643
.
Commercial 5,081 5,129
Industrial 9,203 9,402
Public/Institutional 52,753* 52,890*
Transportation/Com m u n ica tionsfU tilities 11,520 11,893
Pa rluRec rea tio n/C 0 nsen'a tio n 5,873 5,903
Agriculture 10,528 14,775
Forestry 18,708 18,800
Undeveloped/Unused 29,794 36,445
TOTAL 196,147 210,208
--
*lncludes 44,286 acres at Fort Gordon
SOURCES: Comprehensive Plan, Neighborhood Plans, Georgia County Guide, SCS,
FEMA, Site Plans, Subdivision Plats, Tax Records, Aerial Photographs and
Field Surveys
I
I
I
. I
9.2 Assessment of Existing Land Use
Augusta's development has been influenced by many of the same factors that have
affected cities throughout the country, including major historic events, the ups and downs
of the nation's economy, advancements in transportation and communication systems,
improvements in building practices, and national trends in the growth of urban areas.
Land use patterns also have been influenced by the area's geography and climate, the
9-4
Chapter 9- Land Use
location of natural features, natural and. man-made disasters, the timing and location of
major federal and state facilities, the extension public utilities, arid local development
regulations.
9.2.1 Factors Affecting Land Use
Existing land use in Augusta reflects the development history of the area. The city, was
founded on a site in the downtown area, and for many years development (residential,
institutional, commercial and industrial) was concentrated in this general vicinity: As
years passed, changes and improvements in such areas as transportation, manufacturing,
processes, building practices and utilities caused new development to take place'to the
south and west of the downtow'n. At the same time, smaller, agriculture-based
settlements were established elsewhere in Richmond County. Some of these small
communities either ceased to exist alter a time, or were eventually absorbed by Fort
Gordon, but the remnants of some are still evident. Natural and man-made disasters also
inlluenced development patterns. Periodic outbreaks of disease and 1l00ding along the
Savannah River made areas outside of low-lying downtown Augusta more desirable. The
March 1916 fire destroyed many downtown buildings and displaced residents of the aide
Town neighborhood.
Thousands of temporary jobs were created when major regional public facilities such as
Thurmond Dam and Lake (1948-54), the Savannah River Site (1951-53) and Fort Gordon
(1942, 1956) were first constructed. SRS and Fort Gordon have provided thousands of
pe11l1anent jobs for three generations of area residents. Thurmond Lake, located in
neighboring Columbia County, is the region's top recreation attraction, a habitat for fish
and fowl, and a source of hydroelectric power and flood control. Not surprisingly,
Thurmond Lake has attracted suburban residential and commercial development in the
decades since it was constructed. The expansion of public medical (MCG, VA) and
educational (ASU, Paine, Augusta Technical College) facilities also created newjobs and
increased the demand for housing and retail. services.
During the 1950s and 1960s, industrial recruitment and construction of suburban
industrial parks resulted in the expansion of paper, chemical and other manufacturing
facilities: The establishment of the Augusta Corporate Park, a 1,700-acre industrial park
located about 15 miles south of downtown, is one indicator that the suburbanization trend
continues to this day. New residential subdivisions were developed in' south and west
Augusta in response to demand from people moving into the area and local residents
desiring newer housing. Suburban shopping centers, malls and office complexes were
built to serve the new residential areas and provide more jobs. These trends in suburban
residential and commercial development continue to the present day.
Public utilities and roads have been improved and extended to meet the demand' in
suburban and semi-rural parts of the city. The public water, sewer and solid waste
systems now cover much of the city" mid other utility (electricity, natural gas) and
communications (phone, internet, cable TV) providers serve much of the community.
Over the last 50 years, the construction of major roads, such as Gordon Highway,
9-5
Chapter 9- Land Use
Interstate 20, Bobby Jones Expressway, J. C. Calhoun Expressway, Jimmie Dyess
Parkway and Riverwatch Parkway, has facilitated the movement of people and goods
throughout the greater Augusta area. They also fostered additional residential and
commercial development. The paving, widening and extension of other arterial highways,
such as Deans Bridge Road, Peach Orchard Road, Tobacco Road, Windsor Spring Road
and Washington Road, also contributed to development
Local zoning, subdivision and development regulations also have affected land use
patterns. The fundamental purpose of local zoning regulations, which have been in place
in Augusta for several decades, is to segregate land uses from one another in order to
protect public health, safety and welfare. The local zoning ordinance separates land uses
into zones (e.g. agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial) and establishes basic
standards related to lot size, lot coverage, height of structures, and setback from property
lines and other use zones. The ordinance also includes parking requirements for the
different land uses.
The city's subdivision regulations set forth the standards for converting raw land into
building lots. The regulations include the general design standards for streets, markers,
utility easements, and lots. They also spell out the requirements forpreliminary and final
plats and the process for approval of both. A number of other related city ordinances
include more detailed requirements for drainage structures, water and sewer lines, street
and road design, flood damage protection,. grading and soil erosion control, and use of
public rights-of-way.
9.2.2 Current Land Use Trends
In recent decades the city of Augusta has experienced the" urban sprawl" development
patterns evident in communities throughout the country. There is an ongoing national
debate about the cause and effect of sprawl, and whether or not this decentralized pattern
of metropolitan development is good or bad. This is not an attempt to settle the debate
about sprawl, but to point out that development patterns in Augusta have the
characteristics of sprawl.
Professor Randall G. Holcombe of Florida State University has written that three kinds of
development are typical of "urban sprawl." They include leapfrog development, strip or
ribbon development, and low-density, single-dimensional development. Examples of
each type of development are present in Augusta.
. Leapfrog Development - Leapfrog development occurs when a new urban use, such
. as a residential subdivision, is developed in a rural or semi'--rural location removed
from existing urbanized. areas. The new subdivision is attractive to homebuyers
because of its remote location, but is close enough to still take advantage of urban
services and amenities. When new subdivisions are developed in this manner they
increase the demand for public facilities and services (schools, police and fire
protection), often conflict with their rural neighbors (e.g. farms), and increase
development pressures on surrounding undeveloped land. Residential subdivisions
9-6
Chapter 9- Land Use
and homes on individual lots (stick=built and manufactured) arthhe primary examples
of leapfrog development in Augusta.
The flagpole lot subdivision is a notable part of leapfrog development in Augusta. A
flagpole lot subdivision is created when a lot with a limited amount of frontage on a
public road is subdivided into multiple lots. Typically, each flagpole lot has a 25-foot
wide access drive ("the pole") extending back from the road some distance to the
wider "flag" part of the lot. The home and any accessory structures are sited on the
flag part of the lot. The narrow'width of the access drive makes it possible to "stack"
multiple flagpole lots next to one another.
The flagpole lot development pattern is attractive because it is a relatively cheap and
inexpensive 'way to develop home sites, especially when a large lot is not conducive
to development of conventional subdivision lots. Unfortunately, many flagpole lots in
Augusta have driveways that are poorly constructed and maintained, resulting in
erosion problems and making it difticiilt for public safety vehicles to access them.
Local flagpole lot regulations have been tightened up in recent years to address these
impacts and make it prohibitive to develop additional flagpole lots. Howevef,
hundreds of 1lagpole lot subdivisions remain in the city, with the largest
concentfations located in the rural and semi-rural paj"ts of the community.
. Strip Development - Strip Of fibbon development is marked by extensive
commercial development along both sides of major arterial roads. In Augusta a
combination of individual businesses and large shopping centers occur in a linear
pattern on virtually all of the major arterials and some of the adjoining collector
streets. The largest concentration of such development occurs neaf interstate highway
interchanges and where major ,arterial roads intersect one another. Typical
characteristics of strip commercial development include multiple curb cuts,' large
expanses of asphalt parking lots and many commercial signs.
Such factors as the desire to separate land uses, the widening and construction of
roads, and trends in the commercial rear estate market have contributed to' strip
commercial development. This type 'of development pattern, while widely accepted,
is often cited as unsightly, an inefficient use of land, and a contributor to traffic
congestion.
. Single-Use Development - Like many other communities, Augusta ,has large
expanses of low-density, single use development. Low-density, single-fami ly
residential subdivisions are the most obvious example of this type of development.
Typically, detached single-family residences are located on lots of a quarter-acre or
more. The houses front one or more local streets connected to a nearby' arterial or
collector road. In many cases only one of the subdivision streets connects directly to
an arterial or collector road. With a few exceptions, there are no other complimentafY
improvements or land uses, such as sidewalks, neighborhood parks or open space.
There is no denying that low-density, single-family residential subdivisions are
9--7
Chapter 9- Land Use
widely accepted in the marketplace, and a living environment that many families
desire. Local zoning regulations, the extension of public utilities, and the availability
of cheaper land on the fringe of the city are some of the factors that have contributed
to the proliferation of single-use development in recent decades. Augusta's zoning
ordinance separates major land uses into different use zones. With some exceptions,
. the administration of the ordinance has had the effect of keeping residential,
commercial, industrial and institutional uses completely separate from one another.
The extension of public water and sewer service to cheaper land on the fringe of the
city has had the effect of encouraging additional low-density , single-use development.
Single-use development is often criticized as being an inefficient use of land, for
increasing dependence on the automobile, and contributing to traffic congestion. Most
residential subdivisions tend to be developed at the low densities mandated by the
zoning ordinance, when even slightly higher densities or a cluster development
pattern could save valuable open space. Subdivisions are often developed in isolation
from one another, putting more traffic on collector streets and making it more
ditlicult for pedestrians and bicyclists. Separation from otherwise complimentary
uses, such as parks, open space and even some neighborhood-type businesses, makes
residents almost totally dependent on the automobile to get from home to other
locations. Development at low densities also makes it difficult to provide public
transit service in a cost-efticient manner.
9.2.3 Effect of Land Use Patterns
Whether it is called "sprawl" or simply development patterns resulting from the working
of a free-market economy, Augusta's land use pattern has many impacts on the
community. The impacts vary by type, location and intensity. For example, the impact of
growth on downtown and older neighborhoods is different from those in the suburbs and
semi-rural areas.
Some impacts, such as increased dependence on the automobile and traffic congestion,
have already been mentioned. For purposes of this section', impacts are grouped into four
categories: blight and lack of investment, demand on public facilities and services,
impacts on the natural environment, and impacts on the quality of life. This grouping
provides a way to identify the major impacts of growth on Augusta and Richmond
County.
. Blight and Lack of Investment - Shifts in population, housing and commercial
development have resulted in blight and lack of investment in downtown Augusta and
some older neighborhoods. Population shifts had been underway for several decades,
but the' opening of two suburban shopping malls in 1978 had an immediate and
devastating effect on downtown Augusta. Major retailers relocated to the malls,
followed by many of the small retailers that depended on the business generated by
the large stores. Some businesses remained to serve the daytime working population
and residents of neighborhoods near downtown. However, vacant storefronts, empty
parking lots and general neglect characterized downtown.
9-8
Chapter 9- Land Use
Several inner city neighborhoods experienced problems sImilar to downtown.
Declining population resulted in deterioration and abandonment of housing in some
neighborhoods. Dilapidated housing was torn down, leaving vacant lots to sit idle and
collect trash and debris. As the population declined, neighborhood businesses closed
up, giving the impression that the market for private investment was weak and that
the remaining residents could not support business. Industrial facilities were
abandone.d as manufacturing operations ceased or relocated. Investment in new public
facilities was limited and general property maintenance was sporadic. The general
impi-ession was that certain neighborhoods were not safe and healthy places to live
and work.
Int~restingly, some of the older suburban shopping centers and "first ring" suburbs in
Augusta are now experiencing some of the same problems. In recent years both
anchor tenants and small retailers have left some of the strip shopping centers located
on major highways. The result has been the blight caused by abandoned storefronts
(e.g. boarded-up display windows, empty parking lots) and a decrease in services
available to adjoining suburban neighborhoods. Some of these same suburban
neighborhoods are experiencing a decline in resident population. These
neighborhoods are experiencing the effects of an aging population and are competing
for residents with newer subdivisions.
. Demand on Public Facilities and Services - While the downtown and older
neighborhoods are struggling, other parts of the city are transitioning from a rural or
semi-rural environment to one characterized by a predominance, of urban uses. New
subdivisions, homes on individual lots, commercial establishments, professional
offices, and institutional uses are being established in a variety of locations, primarily
on the south and west ,sides of the city. Some development is taking place on an infill
basis in areas that have already experienced substantial urban development. Other
uses are locating on sites in rural or semi-rural areas.
Development in these transitional areas ,increases the demand on public facilities and
services. Locally this demand is particularly evident in the areas of education, fire
protection, roads and public utilities. New public schools have been. built in these
transitional areas in response to shifts in the school-age population. At the same time,
some inner-city schools have been consolidated with one another. The same trend is
evident in fire protection facilities. The Fire Department is in the midst of building
new fire stations to serve transitional areas. Other n~w stations are being built in older
neighborhoods to consolidate the services of two or more existing stations.
The' suburban growth has also increased vehicular traffic on area roads. Increased
traffic volumes trigger the need to pave dirt roads, improve major intersections,install
new traffic signals and controllers, and widen or extend collector and aI1erial roads.
Demand has also grown for expansion of alternative modes of transportation,
including public transit and paratransit service and bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
Over the last 15 years the SPLOST program has helped finance many road paving
9-9
Chapter 9- Land Use
and improvement projects throughout the city. Many unmet needs remain and the
demand on existing facilities continues to grow.
The impact of growth on the city's water and sewer systems has been particularly
noticeable. At the time of consolidation in 1996; the new government faced the
daunting task of combining city and county water and sewer systems and correcting
deficiencies in some of the facilities, all while accommodating new users. At the
same time, the area was entering a period of several years in which rainfall levels
were well below normal. The combination of drought and increased demand taxed the
systems and lead to service interruptions, environmental problems, and complaints
from the public.
With the publication of The Masfer Plan 2000/01' Wafer and Wasfell'afer Sysfems, the
city embarked on an aggressive program to consolidate and update water and sewer
facilities and meet expected demands in the transitional areas. Bond-fi.nanced projects
are replacing aging water and sewer facilities, making critical connections between
the "old" city and county systems, and extending service to transitional areas. New
surf~lce water collection, treatment and distribution facilities are being constructed
under the program. The goal is to make surface water the primary source of the city's
water supply and meet expected future demands on the water and sewer systems.
. Impact on the Natural Environment - The impact of the local land use pattern on
natural resources is very typical of most urban development. Over the years,
development has replaced natural ground cover with impervious surfaces. New roads,
buildings, and parking lots all contribute to the increase in impervious surfaces. While
drainage facilities are built in conjunction with these new uses, there is an increase in
storm water runoff to local creeks. Often, the storm water introduces new pollutants to
these water bodies.
Development also alters local floodplains and wetlands, which has environmental and
economic consequences. Alteration of floodplains and wetlaQds make it more
difficult for creeks to handle large volumes of water during periods of heavy rainfall.
The resulting flooding further alters the floodplain and has an economic cost to both
the community and property owners adjacent to the creeks. Soil contamination has
occurred on scattered sites, most notably on some industrial sites whose operations
pre-date modern environmental regulations. Clean up of these contaminated sites has
been costly and time-consuming, and has had social and economic impacts on
adjacent property.
The land use pattern also impacts air quality. As pointed out in the Natural Resources
chapter, Augusta has a problem with ground level ozone. Ozone is formed when
pollutants emitted by cars, manufacturing plants and other sources react chemically in
the presence of sunlight. Increased urban development has introduced more sources
of air pollution to the area, which has implications for the health of residents,
economic development, and investments in transportation projects. Finally, the
pattern of land development in Augusta disrupts or eliminates plant and animal
9-10
Chapter 9- Land Use
habitats and reduces the amount of open space. Some animals can adapt to these
changes, but others cannot.
. Impact on the Quality of Life'- Quality of life is a tenn that is hard to define
because it means different things to different people. In an urban setting, "good"
quality of life usually means that an area has advantages in such areas as climate,
employment, housing price and choice, schools, transportation facilities, and cultural
and recreational amenities.
Plann{ng literature is full of conflicting viewpoints on the impact of decentralized
growth patterns on the quality of life ,in urban areas: Advocates of more compact
development argue thar "sprawl" takes up valuable open space and agricultural land,
increases congestion and the time spent in highway traffic, creates remote and
isolated neighborhoods on the fringes of cities, and contributes to the decline of
downtown and older neighborhoods. Others point Ollt that most Americans prefer a
low-density living environment, that ',' suburbanization actually' reduces traffic
congestion, that the efficiencies of compact development have not been proven, and
that cities have to compete with suburban communities to survive.
How has decentralized growth affected the quality of life in Augusta? Has the etfect
been mostly positive or negative? It is difficult to say if local development patterns
are adversely affecting the quality of life. No independent surveys have been
conducted on the topic. Comments made during the comprehensive' plan public
. meetings show that those who attended are concerned about a variety of issues, many
of which are related to quality of' life. Among the concerns expressed during ,the
meetings were the following:
. Preserve remaining open space, agricultural land, and timberland.
. City should provide public facilities and services (water, sewer, drainage
structures, streetlights, and solid waste collection) to underserved areas.
. Concern expressed about prope11y values in areas containing a mix of
cOIlventionallots and tlagpole lots, and a mix of stick-built and manufaCtured
housing.
. Better enforcement of building codes and development regulations so that
poorly developed projects do not impact adjoining properties and result in
costly repairs by the city.
. Rezone' more agricultural zones to residential zones to encourage more
conventional subdivision development.
. Concern expressed about proliferation ,of personal care homes III
neighborhoods.
. Make sidewalks mandatory in new subdivisions and neighborhoods.
. Promote business development throughout the city (i.e. in inner city, older
commercial centers and newer industrial parks).
. Improve the appearance of the. city by beautifying gateways, removing
dilapidate structures and cleaning up vacant lots.
9-1 1
Chapter 9- Land Use
9.3 Opportunities for Encouraging Infill Development
Infill development includes projects that use vacant or underutilized land in previously
developed areas for buildings, parking and other uses. Cities throughout the country are
using infill development to create bustling neighborhoods, downtowns and cultural
districts. Infill development is transforming cities and suburbs by creating walkable retail
districts and neighborhoods, introducing successful mixed-use projects, and emphasizing
human-sealed development that preserves land and fosters balanced communities.
Augustans realize that there are many community assets that can become catalysts for
successful infill development. These assets include a strong and diverse employment
base; natural features like the Savannah River and Phinizy Swamp; underused historic
buildings; a good transportation network, including transit; and a mix of neighborhoods
and housing types. Over the last 20-30 years a number of plans have been developed that
emphasize infill development. Many specific projects have resulted from- these plans,
and there continue to be a wide range of infill development opportunities.
9.3.1 Downtown Redevelopment
Downtown redevelopment has been ongoing for over twenty years. A Downtown
Development Plan, first published in 1982 and updated in 1995 and 2000, has directly or
indirectly resulted in a number of large public and private intill projects. These projects
serve as major attractions for both residents and tourists, and create demand for other
businesses. These projects include the Augusta Riverwalk, Augusta Riverfront Center,
Riverplace Condominiums and Fort Discovery, Augusta Golf and Gardens, the Augusta
Museum of History, and Springtield Village Park. More information on each of these
facilities is contained in the Community Facilities and Services chapter.
Countless developers, merchants and property owners have initiated downtown
redevelopment projects on their own. Many historic buildings have been renovated and
are being adaptively reused. as restaurants, nightclubs, artist galleries, antique shops,
meeting and reception facilities, and specialty shops. Apartments have been created on
the upper floors of many commercial buildings. Many merchants have weathered the
"bad times" and continue to provide vital' goods and services to residents of downtown
and the adjoining neighborhoods. The result is a downtown that is beginning to make a
comeback due to the commitment of many people and sizable private and public
investment.
Additional large-scale infill projects are. on the horizon. Three separate studies
recommend the construction of a new regional coliseum/sports arena, ,a new performing
arts center, and a new convention center. Though the recommended site for the coliseum
is outside downtown, project consultants envision the development of a new municipal
campus downtown on the site of the existing civic center. The municipal campus would
be a group of low-rise structures housing city government oftices, a new public library, a
performing arts center, and related parking and support structures. Greenspace would
9-12
Chapter 9- Land Use
surround the structures, and pedestrian-friendly improvements would be made along
Eighth Street.
The Performing Arts Center Study, commissioned by the Greater Augusta Council,
recommends construction of a multi-purpose facility on a site near the riverfront between
Seventh and Eighth Streets. The center would include a 2,000-seat theater with a main
floor, a mezzanine and a bakony, and a separate 400-seat theater with fully equipped
stage for smaller productions. The center is estimated to cost approximately $55 million.
A feasibility study completed for the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau concluded
that the city could support a new exhibit hall and trade center approximately 40,000
square feet in size. The preferred location for the facility is a site that would connect to
the Augusta Riverfront Center (Raoisson Hotel and Convention Center, Country Suites
Hotel). This would put the exhibit hall space and Riverfront Center convention meeting
rooms within walking distance of one another. Project consultants estimate that the
facility - to include exhibit space, service areas, a new parking deck, and 'meeting, rooms -
would cost between $ I 6.4 and $20.2 million.
The expectation is that these new large-scale projects will complement other planned
projects, such as the new federaloftice building/bankruptcy court facility, the relocation
of downtown railroad tracks, and the renovation of the Municipal Building. These
projects will also advance the master plan ,for downtown and connett to improvement
projects in the Laney- Walker neighborhood.
9.3.2 Neighborhood Revitalization
Neighborhood revitalization is another means for encouraging intill development. The
condition and health of neighborhoods has been a concern in Augusta for many years.
Plans were first developed for neighborh'oods within the former city limits in the mid-
1970s. These neighborhood plans were updated in the mid-1990s. Demographic profiles
of the neighborhoods in the former county. were published in 1980. Countless grant
applications have documented the needs and opportunities for irifill development -in
individual neighborhoods. In recent years, the City's Consolidated Plan and Strategy - a
needs assessment' and action plan submitted each year to the U. S, Department of
Housing and Urban Development - has focused attention on revitalization projects in the
neediest areas of the city.
The city and other stakeholders have successfully implemented infill development
projects at the neighborhood level. As a result, the level of sophistication in projects has
grown. Tn July 2003 the Augusta Commission adopted a revitalization strategy and
redevelopment plan for a target area . encompassing several inner city neighborhoods.
The plan is unique in that it seeks' to, coordinate the ongoing intill development work
being tindertaken by several non-profit organizations (see additional, information in
Housing chapter). At the same time, the plan brings together several major institutions -
the Medical College of Georgia, Paine College, the Augusta Housing Authority, the
Richmond County Board of Education, and the MCG Foundation - to collaborate on
9-13
Chapter 9- Land Use
some innovative projects. These projects are designed to improve housing conditions,
provide more jobs, and increase education levels within the target area. Improvements to
some transportation corridors (Laney-Walker Blvd., 15th Street, St. Sebastian Way), and
storn1 sewer systems will augment the other projects.
9.3.3 Commercial Center Redevelopment
The redevelopment of older commercial centers offers another outlet for infill
development. The condition and occupancy of older strip commercial centers and
shopping malls is of concern to many people in Augusta. Locally, Regency Mall is the
most visible vacant commercial prope11y, but there are a number of other smaller centers
that are having problems retaining anchor tenants and smaller businesses. The closing of
Macy's Department Store at Augusta Mall in 2002 heightened awareness of the issue.
Several strip centers are being successfully-reused. The Medical College of Georgia uses
the former Sears store on 15th Street as an office building. MCG also converted the
adjacent Sears Automotive Center into a vehicle maintenance facility and public safety
offices. The Sitel Corporation invested $5.0 million to establish a call and contact center
inside a vacant Wal,-Mart at Colony Plaza shopping center on Windsor Spring Road.
BellSouth and Care South, a home health care management company, are planning to
occupy vacant space in the Walton's Corner shopping center on Walton Way Extension.
Peach Orchard Plaza recently received a facelift and commercial realtors are marketing
the strip center to a mix of retailers, professional offices and food stores. Religious
organizations, fitness clubs, and discount retailers are successfully reusing space in other
older commercial centers.
There remain several vacant commercial properties in the city, the most conspicuous one
being the 800,000 square foot Regency Mall. In 1999, Greater Augusta Progress, Inc.
commissioned a study of Regency Mall. The resulting redevelopment strategy, published
in January 2000, recommended that the property be converted to a mixed-use
development with office, entertainment, sports-oriented retail and value-oriented outlet
retail. The.plan emphasized that the design of the development be friendly to automobile,
transit and pedestrian traffic, because the various tenants/users would depend on each
other for patrons. The plan envisioned a defined core of mixed-use buildings organized
around a series of streets and public open spaces. Rocky Creek, which passes through the
mall property, would be enhanced as part of the plan. In the long term some housing and
local-serving retail might be feasible once other uses have been established.
A separate Corridor and Gateway Enhancement Demonstration Project, completed in
June 2000, documented the problems and opportunities along parts of Peach Orchard
Road and Gordon Highway, two of Augusta's oldest commercial corridors. Among the
challenges identified were various types of physical blight, lack of adequate street lights,
lack of maintenance of public spaces, high number of curb cuts, and presence of vacant
storefronts. The Corridor and Gateway Action Plan included goals to clean up and
maintain the corridors, attract and retain businesses, and enhance the appearance of
parking lots, building facades and the public right-of-way. The plan includes general
9-14
Chapter 9- Land Use
design guidelines for such things as signage, pedestrian crossihgs; butTers and building
enhancements, and an economic development plan for the Peach Orchard Road corridor.
A key to plan implementation is establishing a corridor enhancement committee to direct
business development, marketing and related activities. The report also outlines a 10-step
process for developing action plans for other commercial cOlTidors in the city.
9.4 Smart Growth and Growth Management Initiatives
The activities and initiatives outlined in the preceding section - downtown
redevelopment, neighborhood revitalization, and commercial center redevelopment -
indicate that city of Augusta residents are embracing some of the key principles of the so-
called "smart growth" movement. This is a nationwide movement in which communities
are adopting policies and programs that result in development that serves the economy,
the community and the environment. The International City Management Association
recently published a report, "Gettirig to Smart Growth: 1 00 Policies for Implementation",
that identifies ten smal1 growth principles. These principles include:
1. Mix land uses
2. Take advantage of compact building design
3. Create a range of housing opportunities and choices
4. Create walkable neighborhoods
5. Foster distinctive, attractive comniunities with a strong sense of place
6. Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental
areas
7. Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities
8. Provide a variety of transportation choices
9. Make development decisions predictable, fair and cost effective'
10. Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development
decisions
Even a brief review of these principles indicat~s that they can guide the way in which the
city addresses critical needs outlined in this comprehensive plan. These principles are
reflected in the land use policies in this chapter and the goals, needs and strategies listed
in the following chapter.
Growth management - defined as government programs that control the timing, location
and character of land use and development - is another component of the smart growth
movement. Several of the policies includedjn the 1995 Lan.d Use and Public Facilities
Update - and carried forward' in this plan ,- reflect growth management principles. The
applicable policies are designed to encourage infill residential and commercial
development, contine new development to targeted areas, and promote mixed land. uses
in appropriate locations. Additional analysis is needed to address some of these issues,
such as the appropriate locations for mixed-use development, and the community as a
whole needs to review the applicability of other growth management tools.
9-15
Chapter 9- Land Use
One popular tool for mixing land uses is the town center or activity center. A town center
is a location or part ofa community where a variety of uses - retail, housing, offices,
entel1ainment, lodging,. public buildings - ar~ co-mingled with one another. Typically,
the town center uses are grouped in a pedestrian-oriented environment in which multiple
uses are within a five-minute walk of one another. Town centers are present in urban and
suburban locations and in cities and suburbs; Neighboring Columbia County has a growth
management plan built around the town center concept and a separate town center plan
for the Evans area. Downtown Augusta has some of the major characteristics of a town
center, such as a mix of land uses in close proximity to one another, open space and
pedestrian facilities, and buildings of similar height, design and setback.
Communities across the country have developed comprehensive plans and growth
management plans based on the town center concept. In many of these plans mixed use
centers are grouped into categories, such as urban, town and neighborhood centers, based
on such factors as the density of employment and housing, the frequency of transit
service, and the amount of open space and bicycle and pedestrian facilities. In some plans
the town center concept is employed to meet state-mandated growth management
objectives. In other plans town centers are viewed as a way to concentrate activity in
strategic locations in the community, protect the environment and enhance the quality of
life for residents. Design guidelines are employed to assure compatibility in the design
and location of buildings, sidewalks, landscaping, outdoor lighting, open space and
parking in town centers.
The city of Augusta and all community stakeholders will continue to refine existing smart
growth initiatives and explore the applicability of other items in the "smart growth
toolkit" to address critical community needs related to future growth and development.
One good place to start is the smart growth toolkit compiled by the Georgia Quality
Growth Partnership (GQGP), and accessible' on the organization's website
(www.georgiaqualitygrowth.org). The Georgia Quality Growth Partnership is a
collaboration among diverse public and private organizations formed out of a desire to
coordinate their efforts at promoting quality growth approaches throughout the state of
Georgia. Among' the "":37 participating' organizations are the Georgia Municipal
Association (GMA), the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) and the
HomeBuilders Association of Georgia.
9.5 Future Land Use
Table L-2 compares existing and future land use by category in Augusta-Richmond
County. The projections of future land use are based on a combination of service
standards and basic assumptions about development activity and intensity. Future land
use will be influenced by such factors as current development patterns and trends, the
presence of utilities and improved roads, environmental constraints, the availability of
land, proximity to complementary land uses, and the application of land use policies and
regulations.
9-16
. !
I
I
I
I
Chapter 9~ Land Use
'.5.1 Estimate of Future Residential Acreage
Over the next twenty years new residential development in Augusta will include a mix of
housing types in a variety of settings. The majority of new units will be single-family
detached units built in conventional suburban subdivisions. Areas in south Augusta and
west of Augusta Mall are the most likely locations for both new site-built units and
manufactured housing units. Higher-density. single-family residen,ces (townhouses, patio
homes) and apartments will be sited where land is in short supply and where'proximity to
employment and commercial centers is important. Infill residential development will
continue in older neighborhoods and additional downtown buildings will be converted to
residential use.
The estimate of future residential acreage' is based on the population and household
projections in the Population chapter. The new housing units were allocated across four
classes of residential land use based on the existing disl1ibution. The four classes include
Rural Residential' (<: I unit / acre), Low-Density Urban Residential (2-4 units / acre), ,
Medium Density Urban Residential (5-10 units / acre), and High Density Urban
Residential (> I 0 units / acre). An estimate was generated of the acreage added within
each residential class based on the various densities. Each residential classification is
expected to retain about the same prop0l1ion to total residential acreage over the forecast
period. For example, low-density urban residential use is expected to account for 53-55%
of the' acreage in all residential uses. '
9.5.2 Estimate of Future Commercial & Industrial Acreage
The continued diversification of the area's economy and employment will generate
additional commercial and industrial development over the next two decades. The
majority of new commercial development will be attracted to sites located in the suburbs
and transitional, urban/rural areas. Sites on roads and intersections with high vehicle
traffic counts wi]) continue to be especially attractive.
SO!Tl.e of the new/expanded retail ~and professional office' development will be ';',';;
accommodated in existing facilities. As noted in the Economic Development chapter,
several existing shopping centers are being adaptively reused. In addition, community
leaders are focused on attracting additional retail development to the city in order to fill
up the estimated one million square feet Of vacant retail space. Additional commercial
and office development will be attracted to the revitalized downtown and inner city
neighborhoods.
New industrial development wi]) be located in the Augusta Corporate Park and on other
sites suitably zoned and with good connections to the surface and air transportation
networks. The majority of such sites are located in east and south Augusta. Expansion of
existing manufacturing and warehousing operations will account for a significant amount
of investment, but probably not consume a great deal of additional land.
9-17
Chapter 9- Land Use
Estimates of future commercial and professional office land use were based on the
assumption that the number of employees per acre will remain the same as it is now. The
same basic assumption was made in calculating future industrial acreage. These
assumptions result in an increase of about 1,600 acres used for commercial and
professional development, and another 1,900 acres devoted to industrial and warehousing
establishments.
9.5.3 Estimate of Future Acreage in Other Land Uses
In the Public/Institutional category it was assumed that Fort Gordon will remain
approximately the same size and that other related uses will increase marginally over the
next twenty years. The Public/Institutional uses most likely. to consume additional
acreage include churches, public schools, tire stations and government buildings. Some
public uses, such as the Phinizy Road Detention Center, already have additional land on
which to expand. The net increase in the Public/Institutional category is 402 acres.
A modest increase of 250 acres is forecast in the Transpo11ation, Communications and
Utilities category. Road construction and widening projects, cell tower installation, and
utility extensions will lead the way in the category. Airport and railroad acreage is
expected to remain unchanged, even though some rail line abandonment is expected.
The expected change in the amount of land used for Parks, Recreation and Conservation
is based on a combination of service standards and assumptions about conservation
activities. The forecast of acreage devoted to active recreation in the year 2025 is based
on the city reaching the minimum standard of 6.25 acres / 1,000 population set by the
National Recreation and Parks Association. The city currently has 5.31 acres for every
1,000 population. The forecast of passive recreation and conservation acreage is based on
the assumption that an additional 400 acres will be added to the Merry Brickyard Ponds
Wetlands Mitigation Bank, and that an average of 75 acres/year will be added to the
city's Greenspace Program.
9.6 Policies Guiding Future Land Use Plan
This section of the chapter lists the land use policies that will guide the implementation of
Augusta's Comprehensive Plan. Over the years, Augusta has used a number of land use
policies, including growth management policies, to guide land use decisions and to
designate areas for specific land uses on the Future Land Use map. The policies outlined
here build on the existing policies, taking into account the future vision for the city,
recent changes in land use, and the public input provided during the development of the
plan. They reflect the city's basic approach to future land use, which is to encourage' a
mix of intill development and new construction in areas where urban services are either
available or planned.
The policy recommendations are the product of a comprehensive, general, and long-range
planning process. These should be consulted in making any decisions that impact groVv1h
and development. Many of the recommendations will need to be "fleshed out" through
9-18
Chapter 9- Land Use
. more specific planning and engineering studies. Some will reqUIre the alteration of
existing ordinances or the creation of.new ordinances.
Guiding Policy: Encourage the preservation of residential areas by protecting them
from the encroachment of conflictinglal1ld uses
Augusta has many well-established, low-density neighborhoods. In many instances there
are active neighborhood associations committed to protecting the integrity of the
neighborhood and the quality of life. It is critical that neighborhoods are protected from
other land uses that are not compatible with them, such as higher-density residential
development, industrial facilities and commercial uses that generate high traffic volumes.
Maintaining the integrity of existing low-density, single-family zones is the primary
means for preserving established neighborhoods. Installing natural buffers or allowing
transitional land uses (e.g. professional offices, townhouses) are examples of other
methods used to minimize the impact of more intense land uses on neighborhoods.
Guiding Policy: Protect neighborhoods from the adverse effects of special exceptions
Special Exceptions are land uses permitted in any zone when the local governhlent finds
that such use is essential or desirable to the public and is in keeping with the goals of the
land use plan. Examples of land uses permitted by special exception under the local
zoning ordinance include churches, nursing. homes, personal care homes, day care
facilities (children and adults), transitional housing, funeral homes and private recreation
faci lities.
Special exceptions are carefully scrutinized because their impact on adjoining residential
areas can vary depending on the proposed lIse. For example, the effect of a new church
and related use is different from a' family, day care. home. For this reason, special
exceptions are considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the requirements
and standards in the zoning ordinance. Minimum lot sIzes, minimum road frontage, .
restrictions on hours of operation, limits on outdoor lighting and minjmum spacing
requirements are examples of the restrictions 'or coriditions placed on special exceptions
to minimize their impact on adjoining residential ar:eas. For many special exceptions, a
concept plan must be submitted at the time of application so that the effect of the use can
be evaluated
Guiding Policy: Encourage the redeyelopment of older neighborhoods
It.is imperative that all of Augusta's neighborhoods be desirable places in which to live
and recreate. It is clear from the facts and issues covered in the population, housing, land
use, and economic development chapters that some neighborhoods have experienced loss
of population, housing deterioration, and economic decline in the last few decades. The
resulting blight directly affects the remaining neighborhood residents and reduces the
quality of life for all residents of Augusta. It also is clear that the public, private and non-
profit sectors are working cooperatively to address many of the problems in older
neighborhoods. Their combined efforts "have resulted in the construction and
9-19
Chapter 9- Land Use
rehabilitation of housing, improvements to public facilities, expansion of business, and
creation of jobs. Much remains to be done, and this policy support efforts to redevelop
neighborhoods in accordance with more specific revitalization strategies.
Guiding Policy: Encourage infill development
This policy complements the policy to redevelop older residential and commercial areas.
It is designed to promote a more compact urban form and discourage the sprawl pattern
of development. The policy. encourages development in areas where adequate
infrastructure (roads, utilities) and public facilities and services (tire and police
protection, parks) already exist. This policy will likely result in higher density
development on some intill sites. Overlay zoning and design guidelines are two of the
tools most often used to assure thatinfill development is compatible with existing
residential and commercial development. The following policies should be applied as
necessary to protect established neighborhoods adjacent to infill sites:
. Multiple family and high-density, single-family residential development (six
units or more per acre) should be permitted only in commercial areas and
transitional commercial/residential areas. Spot zoning for such uses should not
be perm itted.
. Planned medium density single-family residential development (four to six units
per acre), should be integrated into existing residential areas but consideration
should be given as to the impact on traffic, schools, and recreation facilities. The
subdivision of lots to create density greater than the surrounding areas should
not be permitted.
Guiding Policy: Encourage mixed-use development
Mixed-use development (i.e. the town center concept) allows housing, some retail uses,
and professional offices to locate in close proxim!!x.-to one another. While contrary to the
separation of land uses mandated by most local zoning ordinances, mixed-use
development can be an effective tool to counteract the effects of sprawl. Depending on
the location and scale, mixed-use development can be less costly than conventional
development and can be employed in both urban and suburban settings. Mixed-use'
development is practiced on a limited scale in Augusta. The zoning ordinance permits
'residential development in commercial zones. Some property owners have used this
provision to establish apartments on the upper stories of commercial buildings in
downtown Augusta.
It is difficult to specify appropriate locations for mixed-use development. Land use
categories on the Future Land Use map reflect the predominant future use of the property.
Depending on the location, mixed-use development, including housing, may be
appropriate in an area designated for professional or commercial development. Once an
appropriate location is identified, another option is to est';lblish an overlay zone, including
design guidelines, applicable to the mixed-use development.
9-20
Chapter 9- Land Use
Guiding Policy: Provide. zoning for.:Iand suitable for projected new conventional
single-family rcsidential development
Most new low-density, single-family residential development is anticipated to be located
on sites south and west of the Bobby Jones Expressway (1-520). Other parts of the city
are already heavily developed and infiIl development will be the pattern in them., The
current agricultural zoning in many of the cireas outside the Bobby Jones allows for a mix
of conventional and manufactured home development. It is recommended that land be
rezoned from A (agricultural) to either R- i(one-family residential) or R-MH (residential
manufactured home) in areas where the average lot size is less that two (2)-acres. If more
that 40% of the housing units in the area are manufactured homes, then rezoning to R-
MH is appropriate. Othenvise, the area. should be rezoned to R-l. This would leave
substantial remaining areas where manufactured home development is permitted.
Guiding Policy: Provide zoning for land suitable'for ncw manufactured homes
Manufactured housing currently represents about 10% of the housing market in Augusta,
arid is expected to ~emain about the same percentage in the future. Manufactured housing
generally represents the most a/fordable housing available in the area. To accommodate
them, this policy recommends the following actions:
. Amend the zoning ordinance to raise the minimum lot size in Agricultural
, zones to 2 acres,
· Rezone from Agricultural to Residential Manufactured Home those areas
where manufactured homes comprise more than 40% of all units and the
majority of lots are less than 2 acres in size.
Guiding Policy: Encourage the redevelopment of older commercial centers
,. An important part of the overall land use strategy is to encourage the. redevelopment and
reuse of older commercial centers 'that have been abandoned or vacated.. Redevelopment
makes use of existing infrastructure (roads, utilities, and buildings) and brings jobs and
, needed services to adjoining neighborhoods. It is also consistent with other policies in the.
land use plan designed to discourage additional commercial zoning, especially General
Business zoning, except at major intersections.
. Some older centers in Augusta have been successfully redeveloped and reoccupied.
Others, most notably Regency Mall, remain vacant and a blight on the community and,
adjacent neighborhoods. It is important to recognize that a single redevelopment strategy
will not fitall of the older commercial centers. The existing success stories offer some
important clues for how to reoccupy traditional strip centers with a mix of institutional
and business establishments. Regency Mall is a unique situation because of its size and
the high cost to redevelop. As the Regency Mall Redevelopment Strategy makes clear,
successful reuse of the property will take a broader mix of land uses (institutional,
commercial, office, housing, and recreation) and a longer period of time.
9-21
Chapter 9- Land Use
Guiding Policy: Encourage commercial development, on principal arterial highways
where commercial and / or industrial development is already established
This policy reflects a goal of the plan to limit most commercial development to major
roadways. The fact is that principal arterial roads are the most appropriate locations for
commercial development because they are designed to handle the vehicle traffic
generated by such uses, thereby keeping such traffic out of residential areas. It also
reflects the fact that under current Georgia law, governing bodies are almost compelled to
pem1it commercialization of such areas, and seemingly have limited ability to prevent
"strip" development of major roads in favor of nodal development at intersections.
Commercial zoning on the principal arterial roads should be limited to a maximum depth
of 400 feet, measured from the right-of-way line, exceptat major intersections or at malls
and regional shopping centers. For purposes of this policy, the applicable roads include
those identified as "Urban Principal Arterial" and "Principal Arterial" (Rural Legend) on
the Highway Functional Classification Maps for the Augusta Urban Area, prepared in
accordance with Federal Highway Administration guidelines, and adopted by the
Augusta Commission.
It is important to minimize the impact of new commercial uses on adjoining residential
areas. Some of the common measures used to screen or buffer new commercial uses from
adjoining residential uses include retaining natural vegetative butfers that are already in
place, planting trees and other natural vegetation in accordance with the requirements of
the city's tree ordinance, and erecting fences or walls. A combination of these measures
may be necessary in some instances.
Guiding Policy: Discourage commercial and professional office development on
minor arterials and collector roads where such development has not been
established, except at major intersections
This policy is designed to limit commercial and professional office development on
arterial roads and collector roads in order to protect established residential areas. The
policy is also applicable in undeveloped areas where it is desirable to limit such
development to major intersections in order to protect open space, agricultural land, and
future residential areas.
In the areas where there IS a precedent for commercial and professional office
development, commercial and professional zoning should be limited to a radius of
approximately 500 feet' from the center of intersections, and to a strip not more than 300
feet deep, if appropriate. For purposes of this policy, the applicable roads include those
identified as "Minor Arterial", "Collector" (Urban and Rural Legends) on the Highway
Functional Classification Maps for the Augusta Urban Area, prepared in accordance with
Federal Highway Administration guidelines, and adopted by the Augusta Commission.
9-22
Chapter 9- Land Use
There will be instances in which an existing residential structure is proposed for adaptive
reuse as a professional office or neighborhood business. This wi'li most often happen in
older neighborhoo<;ls and at intersections that are transitioning from residential to non-
residential use. Where such property is located within the 500-foot radius, the rezoning
may be appropriate under the following conditions:
1. The zoning or development is restricted to the subject parcel,
2. The existing residential structure can be adaptively reused without drastically
changing the exterior appearance,
3. Required off-street vehicle parking and loading areas are located in a side or
rear yard, and
4. Required parking is screened from adjoining residential uses.
Guiding Policy: Encourage industrial developmcnt in appropriate locations
Most existing industrial facilities in Augusta are located in close proximity to needed
resources (water, utilities) and transpol1ation facilities and away from residential areas.
There are exceptions and existing neighborhoods in close proximity to industrial uses
need to be accommodated through appropriate emergency management assistance
programs. To avoid potential land use conflict in the future, industrial development
should be confined to specific areas and spot zoning for industrial sites should not be
permitted. Heavy industrial development should be confined to the area east of Georgia
. Highway 56 and the remainder of east Augusta, and to industrial parks and sites already
zoned for such uses. Light industrial development should be confined to several general
areas that are identified on the future land use map. Spot zoning for industrial
development in areas other than those identitied should be prohibited.
Guiding Policy: Protect environmentally sensitive arcas
Augusta-Richmond County has many environmentally senSItIve areas, including
floodplains, wetlands, aquifer recharge areas, natural habitats, and open space. The local
government, private sector, and residents recognize the value of these resources and use a
variety, of tools to preserve them, educate the community, and protect them from
insensitive development. Among the tools used are local development regulations and
ordinances, flood mitigation planning, the Community Greenspace Program, and
community outreach and education initiatives. As the city continues to grow, it will be
important to use as many tools as possible to protect these resources.
One tool recently incorporated' into the city's zoning ordinance is the conservation
subdivision design. Conservation subdivisions'are residential or. mixed-use developments
in which a significant portion of the land is set aside as undivided; permanently protected
open space (approximately 25 to 40%) and the houses are clustered on smaller sized lots.
Depending on the setting, green spaceiri conservation subdivisions is used for passive
recreation, habitat for wildlife, and to protect wetlands and 1l00dplains.
9-23
Chapter 9- Land Use
Augusta's zoning ordinance allows conservation subdivisions to be developed at varying
densities in most single-family residential zones. The ordinance specifies that a minimum
of 40% of the conservation subdivision be permanently protected greenspace. A local
builder is currently developing the plans for Augusta's first conservation subdivision.
Augusta will also continue to implement the Community Greenspace Program using
Georgia Greenspace funds and other available funding and incentives that can be used to
convert sensitive environmental areas to permanently protected greenspace.
f
I
I
I'
1
9-24
Chapter 9- Land Use
. .
Table L-2
Future Land Use, 2025
Au~usta-Richmond County
2003 2025
Acres Total Acres Total
Residential 52,052 59,886
Rural Residential ]9,853 21,465
Urban Residential - Low Density 27,700 33,246
Urban Residential - Medium Density 3,078 3,541
Urban Residential - High Density 1,421 1,634
Professional Office 635 985
Commercial 5,081 6,371
I nd ustr'ial 9,203 11 ,174
Manu facturi ng/W arehousing 6,071 8,042
Mining 1,945 1,945
Landfi II 1,187 1,187
\
Pu blicllnstitu tio na I 52,753* 53,155*
Trans.lCom m.lU ti lities 11,520 11,770
Pa rI<lRec.lConserva tion 5,873 12,296
Recreation - Active 1,033 1,406
Recreation- Passive & Conservation 3,798 9,698
Golf Courses 1,042 1,192
Aericulture 10,528 6,228
.. ' ' .
Forestry 18,708 .' 15,902
Undeveloped/Unused 29,794 18,380
. Vacant Land 27,016 15,602
Water 2,778' , . 2,778
TOT AL - All Land Uses 196,147 196,147
*/ncludes 44,286 acres at Fort Gordon
SOURCES: Comprehensive Plan, Neighborhood Plans, Georgia County Guide, SCS, FEMA, Site
Plans, Subdivision Plats, Tax Records, Aerial Photographs and Field Surveys
9-25
::E
oo+z D)
:J
Q.
c:
l/l
(I)
\11 C TI }> -U --l -U 5' 0 () I ::0 b (")
:J ~ lC Dl -. c
c -. ~ Dl C. ::ll 0 !.Co ::0
(f) (IJ 0' :J !:!: c 0 3 :::r ~ D)
(IJ !a- c (f) o' !a- (IJ 3 l/l
c. -< ~ "" '0 :J, 0 0 l/l
0 5' !!!. (IJ CD CD
::0 :4- !a- -. :J :J 5i
(IJ ~ Q, (f) (f) t"'l
(IJ g !!!. .z 0
0 .z ('ll
-. 0 D) ao
CD :J 0' ::0 ::0 ~
Dl - ('ll
d: () :J CD CD 0 =
0 !!!. (f) (f)
:J 0 Ci Ci :J Q.
3 CD (IJ
3 ~ :J
,....
C ![ ![
:J
0'
11l:
0
:J
""
~
;::;:
iii'
M
~
-
00-
~
-
~
C1
>
~
~
~
00
~
>
-.
N
o
o
w
--
~
~
n
==
~
o
~
~
n
o
~
~
~
~
r-
>
~
o
~
00-
M
~
>
~
oo+z
tTI
III
~
Co
c:
1Il
CD
c 61 ;g -u -l -u 5' 0 0 ::I: ;;0 r (")
:J Q) iil c Q. =1l 0 .A' c 0 jj)
c iil :J. X- !:!:
rn 0 :J C 0 3 :::T ~ ~
CD rn c rn rn 0' ~ CD 3 1Il
Q. ~ 2' Qo "t:l 0 ;;0 0 1Il
0 :;- !il ~ CD (b
iil ;;0 g ~ 0 :J CD :J ::;;
rn rn rn r;'
CD g iii' .z a: ~ t"'"
0
iil (5' CD III ft)
_:J (5' ;;0 ~ ;;0 - (JCl
!!l- 0 :J CD !il CD 0' ft)
(5' ~ rn rn :=
:J 0 a: a: ~ Q.
3 CD CD
3 ~ ~
c !il !il
:J
o.
!!l-
(5'
:J
rn
Qo
~
ii)'
~
~
~
~
~
~
>
~
~
~
rJ1
t:r'j
>
e
Cj
d
rJj
~
>
~
~
(j
==
~
o
~
o
(j
o
e
~
~
~
=----~
Chapter 10 - Implementation Strategy
10. Introduction
This chapter outlines the strategy for implementing the comprehensive plan. The chapter begins with a
statement of the goals and strategies for each of the plan elements covered in the preceding chapters:
Economic Development, Transportation, Natural Resources, Historic Resources, Community Facilities
and Services, Housing, and Land Use/Growth Management. The goals and strategies reflect the rieeds
and desires identified in the preceding chapters, as .well as those enumerated by the public.
Coordination is the key to assuring that plan projects and programs are successfully implemented and
adverse impacts are avoided or minimized. The second part of the chapter provides an overvie\v of the
mechanisms in place to coordinate implementation of the comprehensive plan. This includes both
intergovernmental and intra-governmental mechanisms such, as written agreements, formal
partnerships, joint meetings and work groups. The chapter concludes with the Short Term Work
Program (STWP), the City's five-year plan of action for implementing the comprehensive plan.
10.1 'Goals and Strategies.
The following goals reflect the assessment of existing conditions and needs, the Pllblic input received
and the desired future land use pattern outlined in the preceding chapters.
~ Housing Goal- I}rovide housing choice, in a variety of price ranges, for both homeowners and
renters.
To address this goal the City needs to-
o Assemble land and vacant properties
o Provide a regulatory climate conducive to housing development in a variety of price ranges.
o Preserve the existing housing stock through repair, rehabilitation and code enforcement.
o Provide access to homeownership for first time buyers, especially low and moderate- income
households.
o ,Increase the supply of affordable housing forJow and moderate-income hollseholds.
o Partner with Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) and other entities to
provide affordable housing for low and moderate-income households.
Strategies that will address these needs include -
o Implement the Target Area Master Plan (2003)
o Provide training and capacity-building assistance to established CHDOs
o Develop and implement neighborhood improvement strategies in Sand Hills, Harrisburg
and other identified areas
o Rehabilitate owner and renter housing units occupied by low and moderate-income households
0, Construct affordable housing units for low and moderate-income households
o Establish homeownership c<?un~eling and training programs in cooperation with local providers
o Provide down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers
o Establish a citywide homeownership resource center (The "Home Shop")
o Capitalize the Augusta Housing Trust Fund with $100,000 in seed funds
10-1
Chapter 10 - Implementation Strategy
~ Economic Development Goal - Maintain the economic diversity of the community and foster a
climate that is conducive to business growth and development.
To address this goal the City needs to -
o Promote quality of life enhancements
o Attract new business and industry to the city
o Promote the growth and expansion of existing business and industry
o Retain Fort Gordon
o Provide a trained, educated labor force for new and expanding business
o Foster job creation and economic development in distressed neighborhoods
o Encourage the redevelopment of older retail shopping centers and districts
o Promote the revitalization of downtown Augusta
o Maintain data on vacant commercia' and industria' properties
Strategies that will address these needs include -
o Locate appropriate new industries in the Augusta Corporate Park
o Assure that Fort Gordon remains open by developing new missions, building more support in
the metro area, and protecting the Fort from encroachment by conflicting land uses
o Continue to afTer tinancing programs, tax incentives and credits, and technical assistance to
new and existing business and industry
o Continue to support and advertise job training, business assistance and education programs
available through the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center, CSRA
Business League, Inc., Augusta Technical College, Georgia Tech Economic Development
Institute and the CSRA Regional Development Center
o Use authority granted under the Georgia Enterprise Zone Employment Act to create jobs and
economic activity in distressed neighborhoods
o Implement r~commended actions in the Corridor(Gateway Action Plan
o ,Implement recommended projects in the Augusta 2000 City Center Master Plan
o Implement work program included in the JOBS NOW! Economic development plan for
Augusta
~ Transportation Goal - A transportation system that is accessible to aU citizens, provides for
the efficient movement of people, goods and senrices, is integrated with planned land use, arid
provides mode choice.
To address this goal the ,City needs to -
o Promote planned improvements to the surface transportation network, including critical
. connections to other parts of Georgia and the Nation
o Make more efticient use of the existing surface transportation system
o Promote and support planned improvements to local airports
o Maintain and expand the local public transportation system
o Reduce or eliminate conflicts between freight railroad and vehicular traffic
o Promote passenger rail service to/from Augusta
10-2
Chapter 10- Implementation Strategy
o Increase the number and extent of bicycle and pedestrian facilities
o . Improve access to/use oftran~poiiation facilities by the haridicapped and disabled
Strategies that will address these needs include -
o Implement transportation improvement projects in the Augusta Regional Transportation Study
(ARTS) Long Range Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Program
o Support completion of the remaining segments of the Savannah River Parkway and Fall Line
Freeway
o Implement transportation improvement projects in the City's SPLOST-funded Construction
W orkProgram
o Implement projects in the ARTS Advanced Transportation Management System (ATMS)
Master Plan (February 2002)
o Implement applicable improvement projects at Augusta Regional Airp0l1 and Daniel Field
o Implement rail relocation projects in cooperation with the railroads and other stakeholders
o Promote the implementation of commuter and intercity rail passenger service through Augusta
o Implement projects in the Augusta Public Transit. Transit System Analysis (November 2001)
o Implement projects in the ARTS Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (January 2003)
~ Community Fllcilities llnd Services GOlll-Provide public facilities and services that meet the needs
of residents and businesses, enhance the quality of life, and protect natural resources.
To address this goal the City needs to -
o Expand municipal water and sewer systems in accordance with established plans.
o Adjust the location of lire stations in response to shifts in residential and commercial
development patterns, and to replace outdated fire stations.
o Make improvements to roads and bridges that enhance safety;reduce congestion and respond to
expected growth patterns. -,
o Maintain and expand alternative modes of transportation and encourage connections between
modes of transportation
O!.'" Work with the Board of Education to maintain existing public - schools and facilitate- the
development of new ones in appropriate locations.
o Provide and maintain recreation and park facilities that meet the needs of residents and visitors,
contribute to economic development, and help protect naturaltesources.
,0 Provide alternative modes of transportation that meet the needs of those without automobiles,
connect neighborhoods to schools and workplaces, and enhance recreation opportunities.
o Support cultural and entertainment facilities that enhance the quality of life and contribute to
tourism and economic development.
o Employ solid waste mana'gement practices that reduce the amount of waste gOIng to the city
landfill each year.
o Provide law enforcement facilities .and services that protect the health, safety and welfare of
. residents, businesses and institutions. ,
o Make the Greenspace Plan an integral pm1 of the city's land use plan.
10-3
Chapter 10 - Implementation Strategy
Strategies th~t will address these needs include -
o Implement improvements to the water and sewer systems in accordance with the Master Plan
2000 for Waster and Wastewater Systems, 2000, and any subsequent amendments to the plan.
o Implement road, bridge and drainage improvement- projects included in the Construction Work
Program for the City's Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax Program
o Implement road, bridge, transit, enhancement, and related projects included in the
Transportation Improvement Program for the Augusta Regional Transportation Study
o Make improvements to public safety facilities (police, fire, jail, EMS) as necessary to
accommodate increased demand.
o Implement recreation and park projects included in the City's Special Purpose Local Option
Sales Tax Program
o Acquire properties, or interests in properties, through donation, conservation easements or
purchase for the Community Greenspace Program.
o Coordinate the Community Greenspace Program with the activities of other stakeholders, such
as the Augusta Canal Authority, Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, and the Recreation and Parks
Department
~ Historic Resources Goal - Preserve historic resources and make them an integral part of
tourism, economic development, neighborhood revitalization and heritage education.
To address this goal the City needs to -
o Establish procedures for ongoing identitication,. nomination and protection of historic
resources.
o Implement strategies for preserving and enhancing historic residential neighborhoods.
o Implement strategies for revitalizing and preserving the downtown historic district.
o Establish or continue monetary incentives for the preservation of historic resources.
o Continue programs and initiatives that improve the appearance of historic neighborhoods and
the downtown historic district.
o Develop heritage education programs for children and adults.
Strategies that will address these needs include -
o Nominate new properties and districts to the National Register and to the Georgia Register of
Historic Places.
o Designate additional local historic districts and properties.
o Provide property owners and investors with information
, 0 Partner with neighborhood associations to increase public awareness about the history and
significance of older neighborhoods.
o Partner with Main Street Augusta and the Downtown Development Authority to continue
revitalization of historic downtown Augusta.
o Continue to offer financial incentives to rehabilitate the facades of historic commercial
buildings.
o Encourage residential development in the upper floors of historic commercial buildings.
o Offer incentives for rehabilitating and reoccupying vacant, historic residential structures.
o Develop design guidelines for any newly designated historic districts.
10-4
Chapter] 0 - Implementation Strategy
o Continue to improve the aesthetics of historic districts with signage, lighting, landscaping and
other public improvements.
o Establish heritage education as part of the curriculum in local schools.
o Reassess the local historic district designation and/or design guidelines for the Bethlehem
neighborhood.
~ Natural Resources amI- Greenspace Goal - Protect natural resources and use them as
appropriate to provide recreation opportunities, educate the public and increase tourism. Use
Green space to protect natural resources, provide ad()itional recreation resources and
enhance'the quality of life for all.
To address this goal the City needs to -
o Preserve and enhance water quality in the Savannah River and along qeeks and tributaries
o Protect floodplains and wetlands
o Reduce soil erosion
o Reduce non-point source pollution of groundwater and surface water sources
o Asses the health of local watersheds and develop procedures to maintain the water quality in
the Savannah River and local creeks and tributaries
Strategies that will ;-tddress these needs include -
o Acquire properties, or interests in properties, through donation, conservation easements or
purchase fOl: the Community Greenspace Program '
o Encourage the expansion of the 400-acre wetlands mitigation bank on Merry Land property as
credits are sold
o Implement Best Management Practices included in the Augusta-Richmond County Watershed
Assessment
o Develop a Watershed Protection Plan ,
o Organize and implement education and outreach programs related to water pollution and water
quality issues
o Detect and eliminate illicit discharges into local creeks and tributaries ;:~
o Encourage the continuation of vol untary actions by citizens, agencies and organizations related
to water protection and water quality
~ Growth Management / Land Use Goal - Promote a land use pattern that accominodates
growth and revitalization while protecting established residential areas and natural
resources.
To address this goal the City needs to -
o Accommodate additional residential, commercial and industrial development III the areas
desigmited on the Future Land Use map.
o Protect residential areas from encroachment by conflicting commercial, industrial and
institutional land uses
o Encourage the revitalization of older neighborhoods
o Encourage infill housing in older neighbo'rhoods
o Protect established neighborhoods from commercial encroachment
10-5
Chapter 10 - Implementation Strategy
o Encourage more pedestrian-friendly development throughout the city
Strategies that will address these needs include -
o Ensure that all necessary utilities are available to a site before development is approved
o Grant setback variances to allow infill housing on vacant lots
o Increase the minimum lot size in agricultural zones to discourage sprawl and the conversion of
agricultural land to other uses
o Restrict commercial zoning in rural areas to identified nodes
o Identify additional areas currently zoned Agricultural for conversion to One-family Residential
Zones
o Periodically (generally once every 5 years) review entire zoning map to identify and rezone
parcels that are inconsistent with the comprehensive plan (i'.e. future land use) and the
surrounding zoning and land use patterns. The lollowingcriteria will be use to identify
candidate parcels for rezoning:
. Zoning classification is clearly inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan
. Zoning classification is clearly inconsistent with the surrounding zoning pattern
. Zoning classification is clearly inconsistent with the sUlTounding land use pattern
. Current use of the propel1y could occur at a lesser zoning classification
. No plans for development of the property, dependent on current zoning classification, have
been submitted
. Zoning classification has been in place for more than 18 months; and
. Development of the property consistent with the CUlTent zoning classification poses a
significant threat to the surrounding area
10.2 Coordinated Implementation
Coordination will be vital to the successful implementation of the Comprehensive Plan.
Intergovernmental coordination will involve such as activities as explaining the vision for the future of
Augusta to others in the metropolitan area, sharing information about projects and activities in the
Short Term Work Program, participating in intergovernmental forums and programs, and assessing the
potential impact of projects on adjacent communities. Some of the primary intergovernmental
coordination tools include the following:
. Service Delivery Strategy - In 1999, Augusta-RichIl!ond County, Hephzibah and Blythe
developed a Service Delivery Strategy (SDS) in compliance with the Georgia Service Delivery
Strategy Law (House Bill 489 - 1997). The adopted SDS includes a summary of service delivery
agreements among the three local governments, copies of applicable agreements and contracts, and
maps of applicable service delivery areas. The SDS is designed to promote effectiveness, cost
efficiency, and funding equity in the delivery of essential public services. The SDS also includes an
Agreement to Resolve Land Use Classification Disputes. The agreement spells out an
intergovernmental review process for proposed zoning ,or land use map changes affecting property
within 1,000 feet of a common boundary.
. Developments of Regional Impact - The City carries out the applicable responsibilities for
intergovernmental review for Developments of Regional Impact (DRls) as required under the
Georgia Planning Act of 1989. DRIs are defined as large-scale developments that are likely to have
10-6
Chapter 10 :- Implementation Strategy
effects outside of the local government jurisdiction in which they are located. The DRI review
process is designed to improve 'communication between affeCted govemments and to provide a
means of revealing and assessing potential impacts of large-scale developments before con1licts
relating to them arise.
G Regionally Important Resources - The City carries out the applicable responsibilities for
intergovernmental review for Regionally Important Resources (RIRs)as required under the
Georgia Planning Act of 1989. A RIR is' a natural or historic resource that is of sufficient size or
in)portance to warrant special consideration by the local governments having jurisdiction over that
resource. The Augusta Canal National Heritage Area is a designated RIR. A management plan for
the Canal is in effect. Activities sponsored by the City that may have an impact on the Canal, stich
as issuing a permit or building a public facility, are subject to intergovernmental review for
consistency with the management plan.
· Regional Planning and Development - The City partIcIpates in a wide variety of regional
planning activities related to transportation, economic development, water quality, land use and
other issues. The City has been a part of the Augusta Regional Transp011ation Study since its
. inception in the mid-,1960s. The City is along-time member of the CSRA Regional Development
Center and the CSRA Unified Development Council, and recently joined the CSRA Unified
Development Authority. The City is also joining ,vith Burke and Columbia Counties to form the
Greater Regional Partnership for Economic Development. The partnership would be set up
separately form the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and ,vould focus'on recruiting new
industry and expanding existing businesses. The City recently pm1icipated in a regional water
quality assessment project covering the Savannah River Basin, and is partnering with four adjacent
counties to study the feasibility of a regional "Recovered Materials Processing Facility" for
recyclable materials.
It wi]) also be important for city departments and local stakeholders to work together to implement the
plan. Several city departments and other agencies work together to review all subdivision plans and
site plans for compliance with applicable ordinances and regulations. Many of the same agencies, as
well as the local development commul)ity, ar,t. represented on the Subdiv!si.on Regulation Review
Committee. The committee meets .quarterly and coordinates any updates or amendments to the 17
"Development Documents" regulating developn~ent in Augusta. Quarterly meetings are held to review
the status of SPLOST funded projects, giving city departments an opportunity to share information and
coordinate activities. The City also works closely with the Richmond Comity Board of Education in
evaluating sites for new schools.
10.3 Short Term Work Program
The Short Term Work Program (STWP) is included at the end of this chapter. The STWP lists the
specific actions th~t the City and other community stakeholders will undertake during each of the next
five years to implement the approved comprehensive plan. The STWP is designed to address
community needs and implement the plan strategies. STWP projects are grouped by major functional
category (e.g. Housing, Tran?portati'on, Community Facilities and Services). Projects include capital
improvements planned by the City, administrative or regulatory changes to be made by the City,
activities to be undertaken by the private and/or non-profit sectors, and activities involving
public/private partnerships. Each project description includes the time frame for implementation, the
responsible party or parties, the estimated cost, and the potential fund source or sources.
10-7
Chapter 10 - Implementation Strategy
10.4 Plan Amendments and Updates
Community planning is a continuous process and the Comprehensive Plan wi]) be amended and
updated in accordance with the Minimum Planning Standards. The City will monitor change in such
areas as housing, population, employment, and land use, and amend the plan in response to such
changes. The City will consult with the CSRA Regional Development Center in determining whether a
proposed amendment to the Comprehensive Plan is a major or minor amendment. Depending on the
scope and extent of the change, the City will complete either a minor or major plan amendment to the
plan.
The City will also update the STWP every five (5) years and, in accordance with an agreement with
the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, update the Comprehensive Plan in five years (2008).
Thereafter, the Comprehensive Plan will be updated, at a minimum, every ten years. Amendment and
updates will be completed in accordance with the applicable submittal, review and public participation
procedures. "
10.4.1 Minor Plan Amendment
A minor plan amendment will be triggered by changes that are purely local in nature and do not affect
another local government. The Augusta Commission will adopt a minor amendment at any time during
the year, and send a summary of such action to the CSRA Regional Development Center on an annual
basis.
10.4.2 Major Plan Amendment
A major amendment will be triggered by significant changes that alter the basic tenets of all or part of
the Comprehensive Plan or potentially affect another local government. Examples of significant
changes include: (1) changes of 10% or more in the population (increase or decrease) on which the
plan is based; (2) changes in the Future Land Use Map that propose more intense or dense uses located
in close proximity to an adjoining local government; (3) and chan~es in the planned location of public
facilities (water, sewer, transportation) to areas not previously projected to receive such facilities.
10.4.3 Short Term Work Program Update
Augusta -Richmond County wi]) update the STWP every five years. The next STWP will therefore
cover the years 2008-2012. In keeping with the Minimum Planning Standards, the STWP update will
include a list of projects for the subsequent five-year period, and report of plan accompli~hments that
identifies the status of each activity in the current STWP. The report of accomplishments will classify
projects in one of four categories: completed, underway, postpone, or deleted. A minimum of one
public hearing will be held to inform the public of the City's intent to update the STWP and to receive
suggestions and comments on the proposed update.
10.4.4 Comprehensive Plan Update
In accordance with a memorandum from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs dated April
17, 2001, Augusta-Richmond County will complete the next full update of its Comprehensive Plan in
five years (2008). Thereafter the plan will be updated, at a minimum, every ten years. After five years,
10-8
Chapter 10 - Implementation Strategy
in 2013, the City will determine if the Comprehensive Plan warrants a nlajor update based on the
extent of change that has occurred by then. If changes have occurred and not been included in the Plan
through amendments, then a' compl~t'e update will be undertaken iil accordance with the Minimum
Planning Standards.
10.4.5 Annual Monitoring of Comprehensive Plan
The Comprehensive Plan will be monitored on an annual basis. The Augusta-Richmond County
Planning Commission will prepare a written rep0l1 for the Augusta Commission summarizing, ,at a
minimum, changes in the number of housing units, population estimates, land absorbed by residential
and non-residential development, rezoning in relation to the Future Land Use Map, and status of
. projects in the Short Term Work Program. The results of the monitoring will be used to decide whether
or not to make minor and major amendments to the plan.
10-9
Chapter 10- Implementation Strategy
10.1 SHORT TERM WORK PROGRAM: 2003-2007
AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY
Project Year of I mplementa'tion Responsibility Estimated I Fundil
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Cost C' ~.._m
_.:"'_11_11 i.
LAND USE / GROWTH MANAGEMENT
._-
Identify areas of potential City
development for
conversion from . . Commission, Staff Time City
Agricultural zoning to Planning
Residential zoning Commission
Identity areas with a City
majority of manufactured . . Commission, Staff Time City
housing and rezone to Planning
Residential or R-MH Commission
Inventory location and Planning
amount of vacant space in . Staff Time City
stri p commerc ial centers Comm ission
Update zoning map to City
reflect Comprehensive
Plan, existing land use and . III Commission, Staff Time City
other relevant Planning
considerations ' Commission
Update local zoning and City
development ordinances as . . . 11II . Commission, Staff Time City
necessary to achieve Planning
quality growth Commission
Address growth
management issues City
through use of the Georgia . . . D . Commission, Staff Time City
Quality Growth - Planning
Partnership's Smart Commission
Growth Toolkit
Promote cooperation with City, Fort
adjacent communities and
Fort Gordon regarding .. . . III . Gordon and Staff Time City, r
land use and re-zoning adjacent G.:.;.j.:
actions communities
P3Iticipate in joint land use D . City, Fort Staff Time City, r
study with Fort Gordon Gordon C_",L
HOUSING
Continue to implement Augusta
modernization projects at .. . . III III Housing $24,470,785 HUe
Authority
Housing Authority sites (AHA)
10
Chapter 10 - Implementation Strategy
Project Year of Implementation Responsibi lity Estimated Funding
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Cost Source
Rehabilitate 275 housing HUD,
units for low income . . . . . HND $6,475,000 Program
homeowners Income
Rehabilitate 150 housing HUD,
units for low income . . . . . HND $2,250,000 Program
renters Income
Complete emergency HUD,
repairs on 75 housing units . .. . . . HND $375,000 Program
occupied by low income Income
households
Provide downpayment . . . . .
assistance to 100 first-time HND $125,000 HUD
homebuyers
Demolish 50 dilapidated
housing units and rebuild . . . . . HND $2,283,000 HUD
new units on site for low
income homeowners
Establish Redevelopment
Organization to coordinate . HND N/A City
all projects per the Target
Area Master Plan (2003)
Implement new and Vari.ous,
renovated hOllsillg projects City, CHDOs, including
in inner-city target area per . . . . . Private N/A local
the Target Area Alaster Developers housing
Plan (2003) trust fund
Implement economic Bonds,
development prognims in City, GMCA, tax
imler-city target area per . . . . MCG, Private N/A credits,
Target Area Master Plan Sector private, .
Section
(2003) . . ~ 108 loan
.. .'
... Bonds,
Implement "quality of life City, tax
enhancements" in inner- . . . . Institutional N/A credits,
city target area per Target Paltners, private,
Area Master Plan (2003) .. Private Sector Section
108 loan
Implement code Augusta,
enforcement program in
the inner-city target area . License & N/A City
per Target Area Master Inspection
Plan (2003) Department
Use the Augusta Land Land Bank Bond
Bank to acquire tax' Aut hority, funds, .
delinquent and abandoned . . . . . N/A
propel1ies per Target Area Law' CDBG,
Master Plan (2003) Department City
II
Chapter 10 - Implementation Strategy
Project
2003
Year of Implementation
2004 2005 2006
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Attract industry to the
Augusta Corporate Park
I mplement downtown
rev ital ization projects
through public-private
partnersh ips
I mplement enhancement
projects on gateways into
the city
Create a Business
Improvement District
(BID) in downtown
Augusta
Complete and open
Augusta Canal Interpretive
Center
. Designate and market
additional enterprise zones
Attract new missions /
partnerships to Fort
Gordon
Develop a BioBusiness
Center on a small site
proximate to the Medical
Center. BioBusiness
Center to be an incubator
for start-up companies.
Explore alternative sites
for a Biomedical Research
and Technology Park
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
III
.
.
.
II
.
..
.
.
.
.
.
12
2007
HI
III
11II
..
11II
II
Responsibility
..
County
Development
Authority,
Chamber, City
o
City, DDA,
A T, Private
81
City, GAP,
Chamber,
Private
BI D Steering
Committee,
DDA, City
Augusta Canal
Authority
.
Housing &
Neighborhood
Development
Depm1ment
Fort Gordon,
Chamber,
City, CSRA
Alliance for
Fort Gordon
III
. Georgia
Medical
Center.
Authority,
MCG
..
Georgia
Medical
Center
Authority
Estimated J
Cost .
Staff Time
N/A
N/A
N/A
r____ ...J:._
1._....
Sl~nl
rAllnt>.
Develo
Auth"
rh:::in~b(-
City
City,
DDA,
AT,
n'
.....rIVn...
City,
GAP,
l.hniiibi.
n'
j""nv
Propni
Tax Ii
the,
$3,000,000 r
.
Staff Time
N/A
$3,000,000
Staff Time
City
City,
n__:__
r; ;:.--
St;(:.I(Ji
C::.
l,':''-''c
~,,1FJ-111
'Cente
G~:Oig
!v1r:dn
Cente
Chapter 10 - Implementation Strategy
Project Year of Implementation' Responsibi lity Estimated Funding
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Cost Source
\,
HISTORIC RESOURCES
Issue Cer1ificates of Historic City,
Appropriateness for 300 . .' . . . Preservation Staff Time Historic
projects in local historic Commission Augusta,
districts Inc.
, City,
State,
Historic
Complete restoration of . II Historic $1,147,900 Augusta,
Joseph Lamar House Augusta, fnc, Inc.,
Private
Donation
s
Complete historic resource . City, $9,166 DNR,
survey of Pinch Gut Consultant City
National Register District
Complete Historic
Structure Assessment - . City, $10,000 DNR;
Appleby Library Consultant City
Outbuilding
GREEN8P ACE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Continue to participate in Centr<iJ. f State,
the Georgia Greenspace
Program and protection of . . . . . Savanfi,ih N/A City,
River Land Private
environmentally sensitive Trust, City Sector
lands as open space
Develop a greenway along
the river levee linking " Central ' , State,
downtown to Phinizy . . . . III Savannah $1,560,259 City,
Swamp Nature Park. Link River Land Private
to Augusta Canal and Trust, City Sector
North Augusta trails.
Develop Butler Creek ." . . SPLOST
Greenway* City $5,000,000 Phase V
Implement APW&E, State,
recommendations for . .' . . . AVO, $500,000 City,
community outreach, long- . Augusta Private
term stream monitoring, & Watershed Sector,
13
Chapter 10- Implementation Strategy
Project Year of Implementation Responsibility Estimated Fundin
2003 2004 2005 2006 ' 2007 Cost <;;;011 rn
sewer system maintenance Roundtable, Non-
& procedural Consultant, r:--~~ f:~~
improvements contained in Planning
the A ugusta Watershed Commission
Assessment Report (.Jan,
2(03)
Develop Early Action Plan. GA EPD,
to meet federal air quality . . . City, Various Staff Time State,
standards. Incorporate into City
State Implementation Plan Stakeholders
Implement emission _.
State,
reduction strategies to GA EPD,
demonstrate compl iance III II City, Various N/A City,
n__~~. _"-
with federal air quality Stakeholders .- ~ ~ '.' :: ---.
standards ~r-I-"- -
Southeastern
Suppor1 implementation of Natural City,
the Phinizy Swamp Park Sciences
Master Plan (buildings, . . . ID III Academy, N/A Gr~:gt~
n_:..~..
education, research, land Private, City, r; ;..__
management) School d8~~t~~
Systems
COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES
-
Complete water & sewer C.__":...
"_"\,-f fL.
projects funded by Series . . . 0 . AUD $90.127 M ""^^^
LVVV
2000 Bonds n_.- J
1.J\Pln.l
Complete / Initiate water 0____
,'1"-."IIL..
& sewer projects funded III . . .. . AUD $130 M 2002
by Series 2002 Bonds D___~"",_..l
!.-U_'!!f}
..
Select site, design and City, Court SPLC~
construct a new Judicial . . . III . $74 M Phases
Center Officials IV,&
Select site, desigll & SPLC~
construct new municipal . . III . City $20 M
administrative building * Phase
Select site, design & SPLC~
construct new main branch . . 11III R City $15 M Phase
of Augusta Regional IV &'
Library Privat
Design & construct new APW &E, SPLC~
facility for Public Works . . . $19.5 M Phase
and Utilities Departments AUD n_._J
!::'H_I~ If.'
14
Chapter] 0 - Implementation Strategy
. .. Y ear of Implementation Responsibility Estimated Funding
Project 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Cost Source
Complete construction of . APW&E $2.080 M SPLOST
new animal control center ,
'.
Design & construct new Federal
building for federal . III . GSA, City $20 M
agencies, U.S. Bankruptcy
Court, U.S. Attorney, etc. SPLOST
City, Private, Phase V,
Design & construct ne\v . . . . Other Local $89.7 M State,
regional coliseum* Governments Private
'Select site, design and . $20 M SPLOST
'construct new exhibit hall . . . . City, CVB Phase V
and trade center *
Select site, design & . . . City, Alts $55.0 M Public,
. . '.. ,
construct new performing Council Private
arts centei' *
Design &. construct new City, Sheriffs $4.5 M SPLOST
pod at the Phinizy Road . . Depattnlent Phase V
Jail *
Complete construction of 5 Fire $6,6 M SPLOST
new fire stations at various .. . Department Phase IV
locations' Recreation
SPLOST
Complete constructiOli of . and Parks $1.2 M Phase IV
Brookfield Park Depaltment
Recreation SPLOST
Complete construction of . . and Parks $1.08 M Phase IV
Sand Hills Park Depaltment .
Complete design and Rec'reation SPLOST
construction of library and . . and Parks $5.8 M Phase I V
community center at Department.
Diamond Lakes Park ...
- ..
Upgrade existing parks as . Recreation SPLOST
detailed in the Recreation . . . . . and Parks N/A Phase V
and Parks Capital Department.
Improvements Plan. *
$ I ,458,750 SPLOST
ARC drainage . . APW&E Phase III
improvements, Phase I
$84, I 00 SPLOST
ARC drainage . III APW&E Phase III
improvements; Phase II SPLOST
Bungalow Rd. drainage . . APW&E $2,131,780 Phase III
improvements
Engineer and complete $1 , 167,000 SPLOST
. . APW&E Phase IV
East Boundary S1. drainage
improvements .
.
15
Chapter 10 - Implementation Strategy
Project Year of Implementation Responsibility Estimated Fundi,
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Cost $nlln~
-
Green Meadows drainage . . APW&E $200,000 Loca
improvements
------
Repair and replace exterior . . APW&E $500,000 SPLO
finishes on JLEC Phase
. .-
Replace rooting on JLEC . . APW&E $350,000 SPLO.
Phase
Phinizy Rd. Jail- install SPLO
lightning protection . APW&E $250,000
equipment Phase
Raes Creek, Sec. III SPLC'
drainage improvements - . . A PW &E $880,000 Phase.
Lake Olmstead to
Berckmans Rd. &H
_.
Complete Regional Flood APW&E, US SPU-,
. Army Corps $1,637,649 Phase
Control Feasibility Study of En,gineers & II
-
Skinner Mill Rd. culvert . APW&E $156,100 SPLO<
extension Phase
-
Travis Rd./Plantation Rd. . . APW&E $2,36\ ,000 SPLO.
drainage improvements Phase
Wood lake drainage . . APW&E $939,000 SPLO.
improvements Phase
Complete Phase II public
school construction, . . . III . RCBOE $162 million Sales I
renovation and expansion
projects.
TRANSPORT A TION
Implement projects in the Augusta
Augusta Regional Airport . . . .. .. Aviation N/A ,.., ,
r~t_n::;~
Master Plan Commission
Activities (engineering, F eder~
land acquisition, etc,) City, North SPLC~
related to relocatingNS II . . 11II . Augusta, 70,000,000 Phase
Railroad mainline off of611i Railroads Souil
Street right-of-way. * C_ ,.
Establish transpol1ation
control center within new . . FU\U,
APW&E 1,200,000 J . ~'Y J
public works/utilities GOO'
building
-
Widen Walton Way
Ext./Oavis Rd. from 2 to 4 GDOT, FHWi
lanes from Skinner Mill . . 11II $14,004,241
Rd, to Columbia Co. APW &E GOO
Includes Y2 diamond
s
;;;:
'"
~
s
s
I
"
"
<.
16
Chapter 10 - Implementation Strategy
Project Year oft mplementation , Responsibility Estimated Funding
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Cost Source
interchange @2 1-20
Reconstruct 1-20 @ 1-520 . . GOOT, $85,672,660 FHWA,
Interchange APW&E GOOT
Widen Alexander Orive FHWA,
from 2 to 4 lanes from . GOOT, $6,850,027 GOOT
Washington Rd, to River APW&E SPLOST
Watch Pkwy, Phase III
Acquire right-of-way and
complete drainage . . . GOOT $9,047,000 FHWA, ,
improvements on 1-20 @ GOOT
Crane Creek
Complete design and start .
construction for widening . $2,021 ,000 FHWA,
of 1-20 from 4 to 6 lanes . . GOOT (PE) GOOT,
from Belair Rd. to River. $3 1,307,000 SPLOST
" (CST) Phase III
Watch Pkwy.
Acquire right-of-way to
widen 151h St./MLK Blvd. . . GOOT, $1,350,000 FHWA,
from Government St. to APW&E GOOT
Milledgeville Rd. .
Acquire right-of-way to FHWA,
widen Wrightsboro Rd.
from 2 to 4 lanes' from . . GOOT, $5,540;000 GOOT,
Jimmie Oyess Pkwy. to 1- APW&E SPLOST
520 SB ramp Phase J II
FHWA,
Widen bridge on Windsor GOOT, GOOT,
Spring Rd, @ NS Railroad . $967,000 SPLOST
from 2 to 4 lanes APW&E Phases
III & IV
FHWA,
Widen bridge on Windsor GOOT, GOOT,
Spring RcC@ Spirit Creek . $648,000 SPLOST
from 2 to 4 lanes APW&E Phases
III & IV
Acquire right-of-way & FHWA,
. widen Windsor Spring Rd. GOOT, GOOT,
from 2 to 4 lanes from . . $10,825,000 SPLOST
Willis Foreman Rd. to APW&E Phases
Tobacco Rd. III & IV
Acquire right-of-way:& FHWA,
widen Windsor Spring Rd. GOOT, GOOT;
from 2 to 4 lanes from . . $8,686,000 SPLOST
Willis Foreman Rd. to SR APW&E Phases
88 in Hephzibah III &IV
Acquire right-of-way & GOOT, FHWA,
construct St. Sebastian / . . . . $15,771,000
Greene St. Ext. in vicinity APW&E GOOT
,of CSX Railroad & J 5th St.
17
Chapter lO - Implementation Strategy
r
Year of Implementation Estimated r.._-J:
Project Responsibility 1 C!! ,._".
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Cost 0.
,2'UI)!l_.
Railroad Street slope . APW&E $289,500 SPLO
repair Phase
Complete preliminary FHW,
engineering for widening II D GOOT $200,000 GOO
of 1-520 from 4 to 6 lanes (PE) SPLO
. from Gordon Hwy. to Phase
Deans Bridge Rd.
1 ntersection improvements FH\V.
on Mike Padgett Hwy. (SR . . GOOT, $543,000 GOO'
56) @ New Goshen Rd. & APW&E SPLO
Goshen Industrial Blvd. Phase
15'h St. (SR 4) intersection . . III GOOT $117,000 FHW.
improvements @ Central GDu
Ave,
Peach Orchard Rd, (SR FHW.
121) intersect ion . . GOOT, $810,700 GOO
improvements @ Windsor APW&E SPL('
Spring Rd, Phase
Traffic signal upgrades @
13 locations (8 on SR 104, . . GOOT $900,000 FHWi
3 on SR 232 & 2 off- GOC
system)
Traffic engineering, Phase
11- add turn lanes, SPLO.
accel/decellanes & signal . . APW &E $505,000
adjustments at various Phase
locations
Widen Warren Rd., from
Washington Rd. to Warren .,
Bridge Rd., and install
sidewalks and stonn . . APW&E $2,362,000 SPUY:
drains. Realign Warren Phase :
Rd. intersection @
Washington Rd. & Beverly
Heights Drive
Design & construct
intersection improvements SPLC~
on Washington Rd @ Boy . . . APW&E $752,000
Scout Rd. & Center West Phase'
Pkwy. --
Windsor Spring Rd. SPLC~
improvements from Peach .. . APW&E $2,133,000 ~.
Orchard Rd. to Wyman S1. r H~~-~~
to Old Louisville Rd. &11I
Wrightsboro Rd. widening, . . . APW&E $2,782,000 SPLC~
Phase I from Augusta Phase
<
s
A
I
S
1
^
1
c
1\
...
...
18
Chapter] 0 - Implementation Strategy
Project Year of Implementation Responsibility Estimated Funding
2003; 2004 2005 2006 2007 Cost Source
West Parkway to Marks
Church Rd.
GOaT, GOaT,
Complete Augusta Canal . .. Augusta Canal $ J ,250,000 Augusta
Multi-use Trail, Phase II Canal
Authority Authority
Complete rehabilitation of GOaT, GOaT,
Augusta Canal Headgates . . Augusta Canal $1,120,750 Augusta
Canal
& locks Authority Authority
Complete construction of GOaT, GOaT,
two replica Petersburg . Augusta Canal $772,000 Augusta
boats tor use on Augusta Authority Canal
Canal Authority
Complete rehabilitation of GOaT, GOaT,
historic structures at . . Augusta Canal $942,304 Augusta
Canal
Augusta Canal Headgates Authority Authority
Develop multiuse facility
on the Savannah River . . City, ARTS $8 I 6,326 Federal,
levee from Gordon Local
Highway to Sand Bar
Ferry Rd, Project # R5 I
Widen Peach Orchard Rd. FHW A,
from 2 to 4 lanes with . . . GOaT $2 I ,298,000
median from SR bb to GOaT
Burke Co. . . -
"1 .
Widen Barton Chapel Rd.
from 2 to 3 lanes froni . . APW&E $2,896,000 SPLOST
Glenn Hills Or. to Bal10n Phase II
Chapel Rd. (Barton Chapel
Rd. Phase II)
Extend Bobby Jones Exp.
(1-520) from Laney- . . GOaT $7,830,000 FHW A,
Walker Blvd. to Savannah GOaT
River
Engineer and install
downtown traffic signal & . . APW&E $2,323,000 SPLOST
lighting upgrades - Broad Phase IV
S1. area
Engineer and install
downtown traffic signal & . . APW&E $1,300,000 SPLOST
lighting upgrades - Telfair Phase I V
S1. area
19
Chapter 10 - Implementation Strategy
Year of Implementation Estimated r.._.J:_
Project Responsibility I UIIUIH
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Cost SI)IIICi
-. ..
Engineer, acquire right-of-
way & widen Marvin SPLOS
Griffin Rd, from 2 to 4 . . . III APW&E $3,467,000 Phases
lanes from Mike Padgett & III
Hwy. to Doug Bamard
Pkwy.
Widen Morgan Rd. from SPLOS
Tobacco Rd. to Deans . . APW&E $2,340,000 Phases
Bridge Rd. & III
Engineering and design of
widening of Old Savannah . APW&E $136,000 SPLOS
Rd./Twiggs St. from 6th (PE) Phase I
Ave. to Nicholas St.
Acquire right-of-way and
relocate utilities for SPLOS
Parham Rd. improvements . . APW&E $9,500
from Gordon Hwy. to Phase I
Columbia Co.
Paving Various Roads, SPLOS
. . . III II APW&E N/A Phase ~
Phase VIII &IV
Engineer, acqu ire right-of.
way & widen Belair Road . . . APW&E $2,361,000 SPLO~
from Wrightsboro Rd. to Phase I
Jimmie Dyess Pkwy.
Widen Bungalow Road SPLO,;
from Richmond Hill Rd, to . . APW&E $2,131,780
Peach Orchard Rd. Phase I
-
Note: Projects with an asterisk (*) are contingent on being included on the SPLOST Phase V project list
20
Chapter 10 - Implementation Strategy
KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS:
. FHW A - Federal Highway Administration
. HUD - Housing and Urban Development Depcutment
. GSA - General Services Administration
. GDOT - Georgia Department of Transportation
. GA EPD - Georgia Environmental Protection Division
. MCG-- Medical College of Georgia
. City - City of Augusta
. AT - Augusta Tomorrow
. RCBOE - Richmond County Board of Education
. AHA - Augusta Housing Authority
. APW&E - Augusta Public Works & Engineering Department
. AUD - Augusta Utilities Department .
. HND - Augusta Housing & Neighborhood Development Department
. CVB - Augusta Metro Convention 8<- Visitors Bureau
. Chamber - Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce
. GAP - Greater Augusta Progress
. ARTS - Augusta Regional Transpoltation Study
. Arts Council- Greater Augusta Arts Council
~::'ib
21