012622 Leadership Planning Retreat Mins Adopted North
Augusta
South Carolina's FHiuNronr
MINUTES OF JANUARY 26, 2022
Briton S. Williams, Mayor
J. Robert Brooks, Councilmember
Pat C. Carpenter, Councilmember
Jenafer F. McCauley, Councilmember
David W. McGhee, Councilmember
Eric H. Presnell, Councilmember
Kevin W. Toole, Councilmember
•
The Leadership Planning Retreat of the City Council of the City of North Augusta having been duly
publicized, convened on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at 9:06 a.m. at the Newberry Firehouse
Conference Center at 1227 McKibben Street, Newberry, South Carolina and adjourned at 3:00
p.m. Per Section 30-4-80, (e) notice of the meeting by email was sent out to the current
maintained "Agenda Mailout" list consisting of news media outlets and individuals or companies
requesting notification. Notice of the meeting was also posted on the outside doors of the
Municipal Center, the main bulletin board of the Municipal Center located on the first floor, and
the City of North Augusta website.
Members present were Mayor Williams, Councilmembers Carpenter, McCauley, McGhee,
Presnell, and Toole. Councilmember Brooks was absent.
Also in attendance were James S. Clifford, City Administrator; Rachelle Moody, Assistant City
Administrator; Thomas C. Zeaser, Director of Engineering and Public Works; John C. Thomas,
Director of Public Safety; James E. Sutton, Director of Public Services; Richard L. Meyer, Director
of Parks, Recreation and Tourism; Thomas L. Paradise, Director of Planning and Development;
J.D. McCauley, Manager of Human Resources; Ricky L. Jones, Manager of Information
• Technology, and Sharon Lamar, City Clerk.
• A member of the media was also present.
Matt DeWitt, City of Newberry City Manager, welcomed the North Augusta group to the
Newberry Firehouse Conference Center and shared some of the history of the venue.
Emory Langston, Planning, Community and Economic Development Administrator,for the Lower
Savannah Council of Governments, led Council in a facilitated discussion over five areas to be
impacted by current growth patterns that have been "Set in Motion"in the City of North Augusta.
Ms. Langston opened the discussion with a review of the City's Vision Statement. Council added
thoughts and support for the statement and found it to still be viable.
The following questions were discussed before lunch:
1) What transportation needs does the City of North Augusta need to address? (This included
both current and future needs.) After much interaction, Council agreed the most important area
related to transportation needs at this time are implementing some of the strategies suggested
in the recent Martintown Road Study and Exit 1. They also agreed to continue to encourage
interconnectivity among new and existing developments.
2) What are the top development and/or redevelopment activities the City should undertake to
• expand and improve City of North Augusta park facilities? (Note: this question referred to
greenspace and infrastructure, not athletic or other types of programming) Council concluded
the RFP should be advertised for the Parks Master Plan including the former North Augusta
Country Club property. The Greeneway connection to the reconstructed James U. Jackson
Bridge/Thirteenth Street Bridge is still a priority to be followed closely.
3) What type(s) of residential development do you think is necessary for City Council to
encourage to meet future housing needs? (This could include any combination of: single family
housing and multi-family housing such as apartments, condos, townhomes and senior.) Mayor
Williams discussed a list of projects that are under construction or under review for areas
throughout the City. Council agreed diverse options are paramount as plans are made for the
next 10-15 years. Yet there were many concerns expressed about the number of proposed
apartment complexes. There was overall agreement that annexing additional property into the
City is not necessary at this time.
During lunch, Foster Senn, Mayor of Newberry, spoke to Council about some of the innovative
projects the City of Newberry has accomplished in their downtown area and how the City is
fostering economic development. Mayor Senn then led Council and City leadership on a tour of
the Newberry Opera House and several other businesses/attractions in the downtown area
including the Newberry Museum.
• Following the tour, Council and City leaders returned to the Newberry Firehouse Conference
Center.
• These questions were discussed after lunch:
4) What commercial development needs do you see as essential for supporting North Augusta's
growth populous and expanding the tax base? This could be specific businesses or types of
business and industry. There was a general consensus there needs to be a balance of
commercial/business development to support the growing residential surge. Mayor Williams
offered the idea of an appointed Municipal Development Commission modeled after the City of
Aiken's recent addition. Councilmember McGhee suggested Council revisit this discussion at a
future Study Session and discuss incentives for business recruitment and development.
S) Significant investment and attention has been focused on Riverside Village over the past few
years, and more recently, Council has additionally prioritized investment and attention in
downtown through the Greeneway connector, amenity installation and event promotion. What
strategies can the City employ to further integrate the downtown and Riverside Village area into
a more cohesive tourism destination?The group was most supportive of multiple festivals each
year, continued and more frequently use of the City's trolleys, and completion of the Riverside
Village boat dock.
To wrap up the day's discussion, Ms. Langston posed the following statement for Council to
complete— "Wouldn't it be fantastic is in 10 years ......." These are some of
the answers:
• • we are still growing, but maintaining our hometown feeling
• our young adult children want to come home
• people have places to eat, stay and shop
• there are no empty buildings
Please see ATTACHMENT #1 for Council's written responses to the retreats discussion question.
The Leadership Planning Retreat adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
APPROVED THIS lA DAY OF Respectfully submitted,
F 2022. `
"At", r,1fA4NNtJ
Sharon Lamar
Briton illiams City Clerk
Mayor
•
ATTACHMENT#1
• North Augusta: Set in Motion
Leadership Planning Retreat
January 26, 2022
Discussion Questions with Responses
1. Transportation:
What transportation needs does the City of North Augusta need to address? This includes
both current and future needs.
• 1 am not sure where Best Friends goes in our city, but I feel if we had more transportation in area
that are maybe Section 8. Lot of People in these areas have no transportation. Also Senior Citizen
going to appointments or grocery shopping. (Carpenter)
There are many needs for transportation in North Augusta. First we should consider additional
funding for the current buses that now serve our Seniors. LSCOG buses and Aiken County Council
on Ages buses.Almost daily one may see one or both buses in North Augusta in shopping centers,
grocery store pick-up riders, professional offices like doctors, dentist, pharmacies, etc. I do not
believe we should try to re-invent bus service while it is already here. Let's help improve it thru
funding. We must remain very active in the ARTS, for project funding in North Augusta. The
"squeaky"wheel gets the grease so we need to get as greasy as we can,always working to be out
front on all CONA roads, bridges, lighting, sidewalks,Greeneways,etc. (Brooks)
• • Possible shuttle service in and around downtown (Presnell)
• This issue is about traffic flow to me. With Exit 1 being the next domino of growth to fall in my
opinion we need to make sure we have a good understanding of the Martintown Rd Study that
was funded by the ARTS, approved by the PC and initially reviewed by the previous council. Are
we in agreement that the types of traffic designs recommended in that study are what we want
to use not only for Exit 1 but for other Exits-for example traffic loop on ramps(round abouts). We
need to begin to look at how we want to fund each of the top 5 priorities listed in that study. Do
we use impact fees from the development of Hamrick Farms, bond debt, T do we look for ARTS
money,do we give our Lobbyist specific guidance for a particular priority?
With the ongoing growth on Exit 5 what issues will we have to deal with there in 10 years? The
amount of traffic that will be flowing down Austin Graybill Road both toward Exit 5 and coming
out at Fire Station will increase dramatically as the Austin Heights neighborhood is built out as
well as the growth from land where Storage Buildings, 24 ER Building and Hotel will be built.
The Ga.Ave Traffic Calming study will be very helpful when that begins in 2022. But how long will
it take for the study to be done and then without knowing what it will say it's hard to plan
specifically. But we can guess that cross walks will be a part of the solution and if so then let's
address investing in high quality cross walks-not what we have now. We can look at what Fort
Gordon is using as a guide. (Williams)
• Ensuring that our road infrastructure can manage both the current and future demands needs to
be a high priority. As was most suburban communities over the past several decades, North
Augusta has been developed around the vehicle. I'd like to see our development code incentivize
more pedestrian-friendly development going forward, but the stress on our main arterial roads
will still be significant as the city continues to grow. The addition of bike lanes,the expansion of
the Greenway, and the development of more pedestrian focused, multi-use type communities
can help, but I'm not convinced that it can do so to a substantial degree. Continuing to work with
ARTS and SC DOT should be a priority. (Toole)
• Ultimately, I will always boil to trying to do more research and see what is working in other
successful towns similar to ours.We should probably focus on transportation needs for a
population 50,000 or less. I found the website below and found it helpful in formulating some
thoughts.Some of my first thoughts after a little research would be:
-Continuing to ensure we have a transportation options for our elderly. A dial-a- ride
option and a non-emergency medical transportation
-Bike transportation and walkability can be a big focus for us.There are bike rental
options and numerous walkability options we could create in our city. Bike sharing
options are becoming popular.
-Ensuring transportation options for our lower income areas.Such as volunteer based
programs, ride sharing incentives,or availability to the dial-a-ride options
-Not sure this fits here, but we also need to find ways to have electric car
charging stations.
• -Golf Carts. How do they fit in our city and in our parking plans?
I referenced this website as well:
https:/Iiearn.sharedusemobilitycenter.org/learning module/rural-and-small-town-
transportation/(McCauley)
• 1 not sure we have any current transportation needs. I think that we have done a good job
providing the Trolley bus during special events and would like to make sure we continue using
for special events. We should consider creating a possible once a week or weekend schedule
that would cover outer areas of town with routes to the downtown and riverfront areas.
In the future we may consider and regular weekly schedule. I don't think we are or will be large
enough city to consider any public transportation. (McGhee)
2. Parks:
What are the top development and/or redevelopment activities the City should undertake to
expand and improve City of North Augusta park facilities? (Note: this question refers to
greenspace and infrastructure, not athletic or other types of programming)
• I feel we need more passive parks. Maybe a walking track at Summerfield Park. (Carpenter)
•
I
• • 1 believe the top development in parks is to move forward with the PRTM Master Plan as
programmed in the latest Sales Tax project. This would include the NA Country Club property.
Now is the time to. Do a Master Plan because new housing developments are now underway as
well as being planned. The Master Plan would follow all established regulations for public open
space to be set aside for new green space, neighborhood parks with playgrounds, etc. Current
developments would be Hamrick Farms, Rushing Waters off 5 Notch Road, Crystal Lake, Oak
Creek, Gregory Landing, plus others.Additional boat landings on the Savannah River to include a
new park on city property in and around the 5th street ponds. Work with SCDOT for demolition
of the old,no longer used,section of the 5th Street Bridge.Crushing of the old concrete and create
new concrete products at the adjacent NA Concrete Company. Finally develop Trail Heads at
entrances to the Greeneway locations such as Ascauga Lake Road,the beginning of the Palmetto
Parkway Greeneway and one at its terminus on SC Hwy 1. A plan was developed and proposed
maybe 12-18 months by Studio Main LLC, Blake Sanders. Pursue the completion of the
Greeneway to Little Horse Creek as planned on the overall North Augusta Master Plan for the
Greeneway. Additional Greeneway connectors into neighborhoods are needed as well. (Brooks)
• Include playgrounds/greenspace in residential developments (Presnell)
• The most common question I have gotten over the last 8 months as to do with the old NA Country
Club property. Do we keep it for ourselves and then use if for one or several purposes-such as
Parks&Rec, Public Safety,and Public Services? Do we have sufficient land for our internal growth
needs to provide the quality of life expected from our residents? Do we develop it and if so what
does that look like and what would be the cost to make it into a residential development? Or do
• we sell it and use the money for other needed improvements? Council needs get clarity on this.
(Williams)
• 1 don't see the development of new, active parks as being a high priority for the city. I do,
however, believe that we ought to continue to invest in and improve the facilities that we have;
especially Riverview Park,Summerville Park, and the Greenway. I would like to see us focus more
on passive parks and greenspace going forward. I think that the former NA Country Club property
offers a great opportunity to provide a more natural, passive park with nature trails and
greenspace that is lacking in North Augusta. Flat Rock Park near Hendersonville, NC would be a
great example to consider for the future development of this property. (Toole)
• 1) North Augusta Country Club - I think we have a lot of opportunity here to be creative. A few
ideas:
-Cherokee Veteran's Park https://www.playcherokee.org/224/Cherokee-Veterans-Park
-The Park at Flat Rock http•//villageofflatrock orp/index asp?SEC=A7Al5169-
388E-4CEE-8BD9-439C4236F2C9&Type=B BASIC
-First Tee or YMCA options
-Cross Country Courses
Ultimately, I think the Country Club property is going to be sitting in a sub pocket of North
Augusta. It would be great if we built recreation space different than we already have. That
way, people who live out there will still come in-town and those in-town will want to go to this
park. Creating cross marketing....
• 2) Continued expansion of the Greeneway throughout the city and downtown
3) Greeneway Improvements
• 4) Sth St Bridge Connection - possibly
5) Shade Sails- It's hot, let's make our playgrounds useable.
6) Pavilion at Riverview Park Playground
7) Bike Rentals (McCauley)
• 1 think with our upcoming masterplan update we can address many items.
1) Expansion of Greenway to accommodate the 51" street bridge walkway. We have an
immediate need to address how we are going to connect,or not connect it to the
Greeneway. Create a Parking Area and Security are major concerns.
2) We need to update the Greeneway map trails on our website,for better accessibility with
more detail.
3) 1 am excited about getting miracle Field facility started.
4) We need some park areas on the outer edges of the city limits. (McGhee)
3. Residential Housing Development:
What type(s) of residential development do you think is necessary for City Council to
encourage to meet future housing needs? This could include any combination of: single
family housing and multi-family housing such as apartments, condos, townhomes and
senior living.
• I would like to see more affordable housing, not necessarily government run house, but housing
• similar to Habitat housing. Definitely more Senior living housing. (Carpenter)
• Residential housing needs have not changed. Single family, apartments, condos, townhouses,
and SENIOR LIVING — the greatest need that is affordable in nice neighborhoods where families
of all ages live, work, play, dine together. New housing developments must have a minimum of
two entrances and exits in its development. This would be a great access for Public Safety
vehicles,ambulances, service vehicles, as well as Public Works and Sanitation vehicles. In
addition main thoroughfares in these new developments should be at least a minimum of 30 -
35 feet back to back. Side streets may be less. My thoughts only on this matter: City limits
expansion are already limited now with regards to Augusta and Burnettown. Our major area for
expansion is in Edgefield County. Mayor and Council should study our current city limits, review
vacant undeveloped properties that currently are in the city. Have a round table discussion and
involve the planning commission and city staff, as well as the BTZ in an open meeting. City staff
may know what is planned for these properties but Mayor and Council, Planning Commission &
BTZ may not. This knowledge would definitely influence the future city limits in my mind. From
this we can discuss the potential northern most limit and eastern most.
My limits:
Northern most - Martintown/ Murray Road; Five Notch Road/Murray Road; US Hwy 25/
Sweetwater Road.
Southern most-Savannah River
Eastern Most- Us Hwy 1/Clearwater
• Western most- Portions of Savannah River/ Martintown Road
Central most- properties adjacent to US Hwy 25 to include Belvedere
• (this would include joining our existing city limits as it meanders thru this area)
Stand alone would be the already annexed Palmetto Parkway with its adjoining properties. e.g.
new Aiken County Middle and Elementary schools plus housing developments along the Parkway.
(Brooks)
• All aspects,condos, single family large and small lots(Presnell)
• We have a segment of our population that will continue a trend of wanting to downsize due to
age and empty nests. I think we need to focus on residential that comprises single family
residences and town homes primarily and then sprinkle in condos where appropriate. What
Charles Blackston has built on Exit S as well as the Village at Riverview are perfect examples.
(Williams)
• My most significant thought is that we ought to do whatever we can to encourage development
that protects the tree canopy and avoids the mass grading of land that is becoming far too
prevalent. I'd also like for us to have a conversation about impact fees to determine if those
would help the city mitigate some of the infrastructure demands that the new developments will
create. Personally, I'd like to see more mixed-use type developments encouraged with narrower
streets, protected green space, and a focus on pedestrian traffic over automobile traffic.
Incentivizing a mixture of affordable housing and higher-end housing within the same
development should also be considered. This can be done by making sure that zoning allows for
the ability to build duplexes, triplexes, and Accessory Dwelling Units in "traditional"
• neighborhoods. (Toole)
• 1 think our city needs a combination of all housing developments. Our developments within the
city limits should focus on keeping green space and connectivity. Possibly avoid clear cutting
certain areas if possible. I know personally we are lacking inventory for single family housing
within our downtown area. I think the multi-family housing options are good, but should be
dedicated to spaces where we believe higher density makes sense. (McCauley)
• 1) I think we need to encourage, single family housing like condos and townhomes.
2)There continues to be a great demand for short term rentals, and apartments.
3) 1 would like to encourage some revitalization of our older neighborhoods. (McGhee)
What are your thoughts on expansion of the city limits to accommodate residential
development?
• I would love to see city limits expanded. (Carpenter)
• okay with it as long as there is sufficient commercial development to offset costs(Presnell)
• I think we have to be careful with the amount of multi-families such as apartments as we build
out in these future developments such as Blanchard Track and Hamrick Farms.It will be necessary
• to have apartments as a part of the development but it needs to be a smaller percentage. I am
not in favor expanding the city limits to accommodate residential development at this time-there
• would need to be a really big strategic advantage to consider it. We will have plenty of work to do
just in maintaining the services citizens will expect once the Blanchard Track, Hamrick Farms and
Mealing track as well as the Kellogg Track are completed. (Williams)
• 1 am not opposed to expanding city limits, but it would not be a high priority for me. I'd prefer
that we prioritize filling in the"doughnut holes' and infill development over expanding city limits
outward to mitigate some of the infrastructure demands that outward expansion will require.
(Toole)
• 1 think we need to look at opportunities to expand city limits for residential development.
(McGhee)
4. Commercial and Business Development:
What commercial development needs do you see as essential for supporting North
Augusta's growing populous and expanding the tax base? This could be specific
businesses or types of business and industry.
I,as with rest of the town to see affordable dining for all citizens. Sit down restaurant. Have some
type incentive to make them want to come to North Augusta. I would like to see skating ring, Putt
Putt,movie theaters. One of biggest complaints in North Augusta is,there is nothing to do. More
family outing to go to, besides going to a sporting event. Also someone specifically selling our
• City! (Carpenter)
• The city must continue to work with agencies such as Aiken-Edgefield-Saluda Economic
Development Partnership plus the Augusta Economic Development Authority to create new
strategies for development of 1-20/1-520 interchange. With new cyber facilities both in Augusta
and at Fort Gordon. We need to provide incentives for spin offs for professional office space for
SRS; medical business developments for doctors, dentists, etc. and SENIOR LIVING
DEVELOPMENTS like SUN CITY near Beaufort and Hilton Head. (Brooks)
• Office space, restaurants, Mom & Pop shops (Presnell)
• 1 think for our larger developments such as Blanchard Track and Hamrick Farms we need to look
for specific types of businesses/industries. With a population of 25,000 we need more than a
single Lowes. A Home Depot and/or Hardware type store would fit perfectly into fulfilling one of
our needs. Our seepage of dollars going outside NA for food is alarming and we have to target
non fast food restaurants such as larger conglomerate chains. However, we also need to address
how to create the environment that spurs small business restaurants like a Larder or Manuel's. In
a perfect world we would have both. I know strip centers are popular infill developments but we
need to be careful about just how many of those we need. Besides the future developments
mentioned we need to decide about a number of large empty buildings such as Channel 12 and
the old radio station next to it as well as the Carpet Shop.These types of targeted projects along
with other infill available land makes the need for an Economic Development Authority a priority
• for us to consider.We need to be intentional getting certain types of projects completed and this
• fits into the role of what an EDA can do for us. We have already gotten some preliminary
information from what Aiken has done. (Williams)
• Commercial development should be diverse. We need a mixture of national, chain-type
businesses(Target,TraderJoe's,Mast General,sit-down restaurants,entertainment venues,etc.)
as well as locally owned businesses. I'd also like us to understand our capacity for more light
industrial growth. I don't believe that there is any significant space remaining at the industrial
Park but are there other parcels in other appropriate areas of town that could support this?
(Toole)
• Commercial business is not an area of expertise for me, but I recognize it's needed economically.
If expanding the city limits helped us secure appropriate commercial developments I would be
open to hearing options. As far as other business development; I believe North Augusta is
designed to encourage the local small business owner to open. 1 think we should continue focusing
on making downtown and riverside village an environment where these businesses can thrive.
We need to help these businesses with parking, environment,events,and aesthetics. (McCauley)
• 1) We can always use more retail, and restaurants. I think we need to pursue industrial
opportunities for our industrial park and near exit 5 and 1-20.
2) Exit 1 needs to be a continued effort for retail
3) 1 always thought would be good if we could an outlet mall. We are perfectly placed between
Charlotte and Atlanta. (McGhee)
• What are your thoughts on expansion of the city limits to accommodate commercial
development?
• A partial of land could be the old Seven Lakes Golf course,adjacent to both US Hwy 1 and Palmetto
Parkway. Yes I would support extending city limits for commercial growth. (Brooks)
I'm for it(Presnell)
1 am not open expanding the city limits to accommodate commercial development. (Williams)
Depending on the project, I'd be open to expanding city limits, but much as is the case with
residential development, I think we ought to focus on what is already within city limits; especially
in redeveloping some of the currently vacant or under-utilized properties. (Toole)
1 would agree to expand the city limits for commercial development. (McGhee)
5. Tourism:
Significant investment and attention has been focused on Riverside Village over the past
few years, and more recently, Council has additionally prioritized investment and attention
• in downtown through the Greeneway connector, amenity installation and event promotion.
What strategies can the City employ to further integrate the downtown and Riverside Village
areas into a more cohesive tourism destination?
• • I love our downtown but not much to do for a family other than eating. I would love to see
something similar to Hobby Lobby, Toy Store, theater (as older days), and clothing
stores. Anything to bring people downtown. (Carpenter)
• Several positive steps for tourism have recently taken place by new hires. Promotion of the city'
s parks, recreation facilities, Greeneway, historic homes, SRP park, plus other new facilities
currently under construction and those immediately waiting. We must highly promote Public
Safety's new Station 1 plus Headquarters and Courtroom. Keep the neighborhoods up to
date and involved as much as possible. Mayor and Council have spoken numerous times about
neighborhood involvement in both of these projects so let's meet that fulfillment. Promote the
City's riverfront, especially Boeckh Park and its amenities, such as the Greeneway. Many of our
residents do not go to Boeckh Park since they think it belongs to the development. That is why
public promotion of parks is essential because we do have a "Hidden Jewel" in Boeckh Park.
Numerous plans have recently been presented to Mayor and Council with promotion strategies
in mind.We invested in the Main Street Program with NAF, neat ideas were presented forjoining
the downtown area with Riverside Village and SRP Park. Another program and source of
promotion is the NA Arts and Heritage, Nancy Carson Library, Living History Park,our own beauty
spots and entranceways as maintained but city forces,our own NA Chamber of Commerce, Board
of Realtors, and Sharon Jones Amphitheater, etc. How do the Performing Arts fit in?We need to
become better affiliated with each as we move forward.
My personal vision is to have a town square where major functions take place with
• stores open for folks to shop and eat. 3rd Thursday is a great beginning but we must
improve on it. Calvin's Coffee has a very nice square for his business. Why
can't the city do something on a larger scale with the construction of an open air market
facility? Location would be Carolina/Jackson with the removal of the playground that
now exists and not heavily used.
OR
Build the Square on Top of the Medac Parking Deck. BTW, we need to rename that
deck. Parking below, deck on top. We can do it. (Brooks)
• Something to keep people staying here. Bike rentals,canoe/kayak rentals,cafes,coffee shops and
shopping (Presnell)
• 1 think once we get a MOU locally (not what we approved by Resolution that was required by
MASC) completed with NA Forward for Main Street real synergy can happen. For example, the
City/Tourism can focus on adding big events so we have something at least 4 times a year-rather
that's quarterly or seasonally to be determined. We then have the Main Street folks work on a
monthly type downtown event like a Food Truck Festival and/or a concert for example-think the
fundraiser for Bark Park at Jackson Square several years ago.
Connecting the downtown and the river is so important for us. Our tourism team,the
Arts and Heritage Center and Main Street can work toward place making art along
Center Street as well as branding the art throughout the city-think the Horse Sculpture
Art on street corners in Aiken.
•
• We cannot wait till the DGC is completed up Bluff Ave to focus on moving it into our
Alley system.We need to strategically begin working toward that now.
Hammonds Ferry through Manuel's has done a great job with their Clay Farms.There is
land available behind Veterans Park that would be ideal for a community garden.This
initiative is organic tourism that helps quality of life but still fits into how to make
downtown better. Asheville has done a wonderful job with this concept. (Williams)
• 1 believe that some of the guidance provided by Main Street in developing the connecting parcel
currently owned by NAF and the Greeneway expansion could help a great deal with this, but the
primary obstacle that I see is the traffic pattern on Georgia Ave and the fact that our downtown
is not pedestrian friendly. We can certainly continue to do things to further calm traffic (traffic
circles, narrow Ga Ave, change parking arrangement), but we are going to be limited based on
what SC DOT allows and the fact that it is the main artery into Augusta and the hospitals. Calming
traffic sounds great until I or a loved one is in the back of an ambulance trying to get to the
hospital. Events like 31 Thursday and the Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee are great and we should do more
of those and utilize both RV and downtown. Making sure that code encourages the
redevelopment of underdeveloped parcels and is done in such a way that is more conducive to
pedestrians should also be a part of the conversation.
Something missing from each of the above focus areas is any sort of connection with the Arts,
whether that be the installation of public art (murals, sculptures, etc.) or performing arts. It is
interesting that we are holding this session in Newberry; a city that has made itself a destination
. with the Newberry Opera House. I am not at all familiar with the city except to know that the
Opera House exists, and that Newberry College is there. I'd like to see us look at ways to enhance
and encourage the Arts and that should be a part of the discussion around downtown
development. I believe that making the arts a focus would drive both tourism and help spur
downtown development. (Toole)
• 1 think we need to collaborate and have a better connection with our downtown to Riverside
Village. 1 think our trolleys should run both Riverside Village and Downtown. And/or make it all
considered downtown? We have to find a way to make a walk seem easy if you are eating in
Riverside Village and wanting to shop downtown. We need a Saturday market and other events
that drive people to the area. I think we are beginning the digital steps with social media and a
new website. Collaboration with the Main Street plan will be huge. We can look into Sports
Tourism and hosting events. They might not scale to the Peach Jam, but there are opportunities
with our river and sports attractions. Finally, investing in our Arts center and Art initiatives can be
an economic driver as well. (McCauley)
• 1) We need to encourage the development of the downtown and Riverside Village with some
possible tax incentive or additional grants for new and existing businesses.
2) 1 believe the 131"street bridge rebuild will increase downtown business. With increased foot
traffic. (McGhee)
•