News Summary
During a recent meeting at the Augusta Municipal Building, numerous downtown business owners expressed their frustrations about the ongoing construction project related to the development of the James Brown Linear Park. Attendees felt the meeting primarily served as a listening session rather than providing useful updates, leading to concerns about construction schedules, parking disruptions, and insufficient communication from city officials. As the city seeks to improve relations, the project aims to enhance downtown Augusta but also raises significant worries for local businesses.
Augusta – Downtown Augusta business owners expressed frustration during a meeting held at the Augusta Municipal Building on Monday night. A packed house gathered for an update on the ongoing construction project that aims to transform downtown through the development of the new James Brown Linear Park along Broad Street.
Many attendees left the meeting dissatisfied, feeling that it was more of a forum for listening than an informative update regarding the construction progress. Concerns were raised about the construction schedule, potential disruptions, and accessibility of storefronts during this extensive project. In response to these frustrations, the city has engaged a public relations firm to improve communication with affected business owners.
Megan Paquin of Paquin Public Relations recognized the validity of the business owners’ grievances. In an effort to enhance future meetings, she recommended posting agendas in advance to better prepare participants and set expectations for discussions. Construction work is set to progress daily from 8 am to 5 pm, and business owners are worried about the impact of this schedule on their operations.
The ongoing construction has had visible effects on downtown Augusta, including the complete removal of center parking between 8th and 9th streets. Local residents and business owners have already begun to experience the repercussions of reduced parking and increased inconvenience. Michael Weldon, owner of Psychotronic Records, lamented the loss of trees and parking spaces in addition to event locations that formerly drew crowds to the area.
Although the project aims to create a more walkable downtown environment, business owners have expressed concerns about the coinciding decrease in available parking. The construction is expected to take approximately one year to complete, fundamentally altering the landscape of downtown Augusta.
During the meeting, issues surrounding unclear communication about the project’s timelines emerged as a significant concern. Some business owners reported receiving angry calls and emails regarding ongoing roadwork and construction delays, indicating frustration with the lack of timely updates from city officials.
Commissioner Jordan Johnson acknowledged the volume of complaints received from business owners, noting that there has been a perceived lack of consultation prior to the initiation of construction. The Engineering Department mentioned that meetings had been held, but there had been little participation from business owners, likely due to inadequate publicity surrounding those meetings.
The ongoing removal of trees has also unveiled neglected buildings along Broad Street, raising further concerns among residents and business owners about the overall aesthetic and condition of the downtown area. The visibility of these neglected properties adds another layer of frustration for business owners who seek to attract customers and maintain a vibrant community atmosphere.
As the construction progresses, maintaining open and clear lines of communication will be crucial for addressing the concerns of downtown business owners. By keeping all stakeholders informed, Augusta officials can work toward minimizing disruptions and fostering a collaborative relationship with the local business community during this transformative period.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Beverley Street Studio School Announces Closure
Additional Resources
- WRDW: Downtown Business Owners Voice Frustrations
- Augusta Chronicle: Adaptable Business Space Project
- WFXG: Construction Begins in Heart of Downtown Augusta
- Wikipedia: Downtown Augusta
- WJBF: James Brown Linear Park Construction Impact
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Augusta, Georgia
- WRDW: Businesses Voice Concerns on Construction
- Google Search: Augusta downtown construction
Author: STAFF HERE LOS ANGELES WRITER
LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER The LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELosAngeles.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and beyond, specializing in "news you can use" with coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while delivering top reporting on high-value events like the Academy Awards, LA Auto Show, and Los Angeles Marathon, extending coverage to key organizations such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, plus leading businesses in entertainment and technology like Warner Bros. and SpaceX, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREAnaheim.com , HERECostaMesa.com , HEREHuntingtonBeach.com , and HERESantaAna.com , providing comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape. HERE Anaheim HERE Beverly Hills HERE Coronado HERE Costa Mesa HERE Hollywood HERE Huntington Beach HERE Long Beach HERE Los Angeles HERE Mission Viejo HERE San Diego HERE Santa Ana
