[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6176885,"mediaKeyId","5342801-a78a69d4a13610e98395d6d76631b727","parentId",5342801,"title","Azalea Development reduces convention-center SPLOST ask to $18 million; parking deck not included","audioSeconds",38,"startMs",3816000,"endMs",3854000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5342801-a78a69d4a13610e98395d6d76631b727&start=3816&end=3854","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5342801-a78a69d4a13610e98395d6d76631b727/thumbnail_3816000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6176885/Augusta-City/Richmond-County/Georgia/Azalea-Development-reduces-convention-center-SPLOST-ask-to-18-million-parking-deck-not-included","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6176885-f8ceac9dc2712c0cefe8c611f82ed5bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154520&Signature=fDRd56AVql-Bb4ldw31Nm3-bsnIz0Rcke9QGhzLX5kTQS~Nl~yJYy7QpjM0Gm57CznWFL7PqXipLr4tSegi3T0TOXenVbr9JzR30MCZaLO5QHZ6PEsFdQPU~9CFWogr0bsbB6zscK55Yc1EynrfueKBs7o0ET-qScx1Mkr5SO1Ynb-vkApwHM217l2SVB7NdWFLurKoPVG60aizmWSdzDnAjyA3Qse9KuCN665WRKKFJXgynSGu4VSmMjfdYiy9bDzCRTtpbN8FLUhwDB2ltW7vlGM9MJOEek4y8Wo1n6XbYMx~xte380N5RvHRtHjdNWuSukjfjEvtiY~V5ZK9okg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-09T03:31:04Z","article","A representative for Azalea Development updated the Augusta City Commission on the Augusta Convention Center expansion request and said the current SPLOST ask has been reduced to $18,000,000 from a previously stated figure above $30,000,000.

The change matters for SPLOST 9 planning because the reduced amount would fund an expansion to add meeting space while parking-deck construction remains a separate item and would require additional funding.

Bridal England, representing Azalea Development and the convention-center project, told commissioners the current $18,000,000 request would “add an additional bay to the existing structure” and expand flexible meeting space above 50,000 square feet (to about 57,000 square feet). He said the parking-deck project is excluded from the $18,000,000 request and estimated earlier that a parking addition would cost roughly $10,000,000. The earlier, larger request (more than $30,000,000) had been revised to the current figure.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions and discussed the potential to attract larger conventions; Commissioner Francine Scott noted the local delegation and stakeholders are pursuing larger events and that expanded capacity is important to retain and attract conventions. Mayor Pro Tem Wayne Guilfoyle asked whether the $18,000,000 included parking; England said it did not. No formal motion or vote occurred; the presentation was informational and will be considered among other SPLOST requests.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","SPLOST 9 Outside Authorities & HCD","oneSentenceSummary","Representatives for the Azalea Development and the Augusta Convention Center said their SPLOST request was reduced from over $30 million to $18 million to add meeting space; parking-deck costs would be a separate request estimated around $10 million.","taxTitle","Augusta City, Richmond County, Georgia","taxId",3794,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6176889,"Economic development authority asks for $25 million to extend sewer to South Augusta mega site; projects estimate 1,800 jobs",243,3186000,3429000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5342801-a78a69d4a13610e98395d6d76631b727&start=3186&end=3429","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5342801-a78a69d4a13610e98395d6d76631b727/thumbnail_3186000.jpg","/articles/6176889/Augusta-City/Richmond-County/Georgia/Economic-development-authority-asks-for-25-million-to-extend-sewer-to-South-Augusta-mega-site-projects-estimate-1800-jobs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6176889-1a1a6d2cf0d2c6e642140686af7b7643/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154520&Signature=g1f~MVACGIUydeUTEYG1xShgG6q~nUpR3WGJuKgB~XyVxa95fwg8Kw9qXF0yWC0AVLe06TdPxfuhBeqCk4NKzqmiAj3Mw9CFeCDlprjmZVlZlC1RWikitxGiJKAeS7P8OM63Iwk7OR6H-WA~lSFdP9bvpfOIMbduDrOhnPDrUXSlwAarU6MVPuGYhLXaJ81sbVX0KzRaMsk8lPyaNae1gc84sUiXl8ODlpAaXdg7x6D9xQwpMuKrR~AWc3hLsDL4SERaKlWnudNsFBwM~YA2A2mOOlxxqjIPQHU2TggrXDqL7t2J08vHwLaToZBiT8hxInS2jvf8z02IEso8hoku6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Development Authority of Augusta presented a request for roughly $25,000,000 in SPLOST 9 funds to construct sewer infrastructure from the Little Spirit Creek basin to North McCombs Road, enabling development of the McCombs Road mega site in South Augusta.

The project is aimed at making one of the two remaining industrial mega sites in Georgia shovel-ready by building a pump station, a 24-inch trunk main and associated gravity and force main sewers. Developers and economic staff argue sewer access is a primary barrier to new industrial and residential investment in the corridor.

The authority’s presentation, led by its president (referred to in the meeting as Mr. Ray), outlined a preliminary engineering report prepared with Augusta Utilities. The authority estimates the minimum catalytic investment could be a $1 billion capital project creating roughly 1,000 direct jobs plus indirect and induced employment for a total of about 1,800 jobs; the presentation projected a long-term tax impact of roughly $82,000,000 in new property tax revenue and $54,000,000 to schools over 25 years, and new local retail spending estimated between $25,000,000 and $50,000,000 annually depending on assumptions.

The recommended implementation timeline in the presentation included four years of work: four to six months for permitting and design, two to three months for bidding and 24 to 36 months for construction. The authority described the project as “transformative infrastructure” that could unlock up to 2,800 homes on 1,200 acres of previously undevelopable land in the corridor.

Commissioners asked whether the city could bond the project and repay it with SPLOST collections; the presenter deferred to Director Schreier for finance and legal details. Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle and others emphasized the potential tax and job benefits and urged considering the project as part of the SPLOST package; Commissioner Stacy Pulling confirmed the project had been developed in conjunction with Augusta Utilities and that utilities would be the operating authority once built. Commissioner Tony Lewis asked whether this project related to earlier corporate-park infrastructure; presenters said it is separate from but could tie into other corporate-park work along Mike Padgett.

No formal vote was taken. The presentation provided a preliminary cost estimate and a request to include the sewer extension in SPLOST planning so the city can pursue design and permitting and present a shovel-ready site to potential investors.

","The Development Authority presented a $25 million SPLOST request to fund sewer infrastructure to unlock the McCombs Road mega site, citing a potential $579 million annual economic impact and an estimate of up to 1,800 jobs for a baseline billion-dollar development.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6176892,"Downtown Development Authority seeks $2.5 million in SPLOST 9 to sustain Broad Street TIA and small-business programs",379,2610000,2989000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5342801-a78a69d4a13610e98395d6d76631b727&start=2610&end=2989","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5342801-a78a69d4a13610e98395d6d76631b727/thumbnail_2610000.jpg","/articles/6176892/Augusta-City/Richmond-County/Georgia/Downtown-Development-Authority-seeks-25-million-in-SPLOST-9-to-sustain-Broad-Street-TIA-and-small-business-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6176892-43b58e34ac03a0d452adce6759a50914/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154520&Signature=Z52Vzj85mDkhbyODyJ5J4O66GyTA3S5rb9205WSclgnHc6V-aHEDC8bCLF1YzZOBamHZQv-RGPig0SfCvRjuW5rXryEalBWtAB4GuFovmun3u3icd71YpxQrVATTIO~Q320gXOKJUB~mK9FQYqKwz3dttOKNcWmIXvZ7xMhZly4jwtySGdP8CcZ9yTX6Y6RRyrio7lOKDSICEXF5fkI9sY~aAqbkBzxem2VYjXAOsmlH0Mkg9Js2qyZfeUWy3z-2VABssSEMRGtSE3ZgGTfi~vrEXMoWA31rRCQuGTZuAxrK8HhDjUhCOCtG9kdfxIScm7TaibQUNHg1WoJ0tC0ZmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Downtown Development Authority requested $2,500,000 in SPLOST 9 funding to support downtown projects and mitigation during upcoming construction on the Broad Street Transportation Improvement Area (TIA).

The request is intended to fund a flexible project pool downtown leaders can use for appearance, economic development and to support small businesses during construction disruptions.

Margaret Woodard, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, summarized past SPLAS (SPLOST) investments — kiosks on Broad Street and at Freedom Bridge, gateway arches, Freedom Bridge Wi‑Fi, marina furniture, a sidewalk completed near King Mill in partnership with the city, and matching funds on James Brown Boulevard — then described Accelerate Augusta, a small-business training and resource center at 600 Broad Street. Woodard said the city leased the building to the DDA for 20 years and that the DDA and city contributed roofing and renovation funds; she said Accelerate Augusta is on budget and expected to open in August or early September.

Woodard said the DDA’s $2,500,000 request for SPLOST 9 is intentionally nonspecific to allow the authority flexibility to respond to opportunities that promote economic growth downtown, including promotion campaigns and temporary measures to offset foot-traffic losses during the Broad Street TIA construction. She flagged the Jones Street Alley project and a potential 2,000-seat outdoor concert venue at Monument and Broad Streets as upcoming developments that could intersect with SPLOST-funded improvements.

No formal vote was taken; the presentation was informational. Commissioners thanked the DDA for prior work and for partnerships with the city. Woodard said the DDA has repeatedly used prior SPLOST allocations for small-scale, high-visibility improvements and partnership projects.

","The Downtown Development Authority asked for $2,500,000 in SPLOST 9 money to support unspecified downtown-improvement projects, promotion during Broad Street TIA construction, and continued development of Accelerate Augusta, citing recent and planned streetscape and amenity investments.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6176894,"Augusta Canal Authority requests $2.3 million for bridge, bathrooms and harvester; presents $23 million whitewater park concept",744,1094000,1838000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5342801-a78a69d4a13610e98395d6d76631b727&start=1094&end=1838","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5342801-a78a69d4a13610e98395d6d76631b727/thumbnail_1094000.jpg","/articles/6176894/Augusta-City/Richmond-County/Georgia/Augusta-Canal-Authority-requests-23-million-for-bridge-bathrooms-and-harvester-presents-23-million-whitewater-park-concept","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6176894-a80323632b1f5d424b460aa7b0a01ac5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154520&Signature=I3zijKmmghQ1-cPjyML8i91V0SEq78UYOOXc1H8AMjjGRoCXAYXhsbAHFZBzPOjL1B6C4thkAdIC5LTRbdvuV3~H2LtPZgnP62CIsQ06eUPYpuVVghU-GBUZ-cjUc7eDl4qOyiY4aZV8DB6~c4Plho4KzGb09eOgsiY1Yge7hLstLXIgWq7lEb2cQ63soLPxlurV8uiIQCuxgdO8YzxaJtCM8nyDoKQIEVlnpet3bs~zA-mRR6jmC5y2fIBrvgZ5pY9uJ1WvVNICLDDx2kVpn7jZr8FglCAprqfORm11qOrHm6AZ9L5IvHapaYctG2TAT7Ypa4NmdN~LUZYIH4KElw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Augusta Canal Authority asked the Augusta City Commission for $2,300,000 in SPLOST 9 funds to finish a pedestrian bridge project, install ADA kayak launches and upgrade restrooms and park entry points, and it presented a separate concept for a downtown whitewater-rafting attraction with a $23,000,000 estimated cost.

The requests matter because the canal authority said maintenance and recreational projects would expand public access to the Augusta Canal, support tours and spur adjacent economic development.

Russ Gamble, vice chair, opened the Authority’s presentation by noting the Augusta Canal Authority is “a state charter organization established by the Georgia General Assembly in 1989” and that it operates under a memorandum of understanding with the city. Gamble said the Authority already has $1,500,000 in grants committed to stabilize and begin renovation of Mother’s Trinity CME Church and $500,000 in state appropriations toward the pedestrian bridge; he described both as gifts to the city that require no city match for those particular grants. The SPLOST request of $2,300,000, Gamble said, would primarily fund the pedestrian bridge, a weed harvester to clear hydrilla and other vegetation that block boat tours, improvements to restrooms at Lake Olmstead (including security doors and sensors), and entryway improvements at Eisenhower Park.

Frederick Neely, appointed member of the Canal Authority, presented a conceptual whitewater-rafting park to be located along Broad Street downtown. He said the site is already city-owned land and that the proposed facility would use gravity and existing canal-level differences rather than pumps. Neely described the whitewater concept as a hybrid between in-stream parks and pumped artificial courses and said the previous engineer estimated the park would need about 400 cubic feet per second, compared with the Canal Authority’s current guaranteed flow of 2,350 CFS from the city. During discussion, Gamble and Neely said the whitewater park is a larger, separate ask and that the $23,000,000 figure is an approximate two-year-old estimate; Neely suggested current costs could be higher.

On operational matters, Gamble said the Authority would share the weed-harvester with the city for river cleaning and marina upkeep and noted vandalism at Lake Olmstead bathrooms prevents them from being open; proposed security measures include exterior security doors, motion sensors and cameras on the outside of facilities. Gamble said the Authority plans to move some tour operations temporarily if weed growth prevents boats from navigating current head gates.

Commissioners asked about cost details and timelines. Commissioner Jordan Johnson confirmed the $2.3 million figure covered multiple items and asked whether the $23,000,000 whitewater park overlapped SPLOST requests; Gamble and Neely said the whitewater park is not part of the $2.3 million request and would require separate consideration. Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice and others expressed support for the weed harvester and security upgrades, with Rice noting safety and accessibility concerns for canal users. Mayor pro tempore Wayne Guilfoyle encouraged the commission to consider committing to use of city property for a future whitewater park and asked that the commission schedule a discussion on the proposal.

No formal vote was taken on the Canal Authority requests during the presentations. Commissioners and staff asked for further cost updates and permitting information for the pedestrian bridge, and Authority representatives said they are pursuing required permits and wetlands testing. The Authority said a state appropriation of $500,000 is already allocated to the pedestrian bridge.

","The Augusta Canal Authority told commissioners it seeks $2.3 million for a pedestrian bridge, ADA kayak launches and a weed harvester and presented a separate $23 million whitewater-rafting park concept; the Authority said it holds a state charter and works under an MOU with the city.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6176896,"Augusta housing department seeks $49 million in SPLOST 9 requests, including $12 million 'Homeless Institute'",361,357000,718000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5342801-a78a69d4a13610e98395d6d76631b727&start=357&end=718","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5342801-a78a69d4a13610e98395d6d76631b727/thumbnail_357000.jpg","/articles/6176896/Augusta-City/Richmond-County/Georgia/Augusta-housing-department-seeks-49-million-in-SPLOST-9-requests-including-12-million-Homeless-Institute","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6176896-bad3d694c7538865dc9d27f90daaad4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154520&Signature=hCgMARaN8oey0zgNd6GsxXT-MQQptG9PMj2ysuQgNEPOE8gDT5ADGXHLPuynejVX~i2-0Z5pC75zhX4IzCQHf3kQylbCpU1xJsV~~XhtnDQC7tvSCWh2mh0Vc-EqYJ63hJtxAHHuqhJsAqSzOqRe7JqgmDIuf0hoHkiKaoYXk5~-OEBYDy7Zys3ij~A6oVqWoVtOTtQ~8yLO0XpNP8skAfWUoFLkiTQCzTCEc~NBzrGU22Hz8Wow-CaGLKYB-7GmNgnjvQKeCSOaXGO4h6u~IvD2B4a7pbW1V6onRDQ2ICuHd2kEZYSMID4WsfP4mIXcdca1kab8BHJ5OOuLHViB2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Augusta City Commission members heard a presentation on the Housing and Community Development Department’s SPLOST 9 priorities, which include a proposed $3,000,000 renovation of the HCD office, a $12,000,000 ‘Homeless Institute’ concept, and $34,000,000 for affordable-housing acquisition and construction.

The HCD presentation matters because the department said its program budget is heavily federal and the capital requests would expand local capacity for shelter, services and new units in the city.

Deputy Kevin Jackson, Housing and Community Development Department, told commissioners the first priority is a 20,000-square-foot renovation to address “significant structural issues” in the department’s current building and to create offices, conference rooms and an education lab. Jackson said the second item was “a very bold initiative” the previous director had championed: a stand-alone Homeless Institute modeled on a locality in North Carolina. Jackson described the institute as a facility providing on-site wraparound services with room types “70 rooms for 1 to 2 people, 187 rooms for groups, and 50 rooms designated for people with disabilities,” plus laundry, medical facilities and training space. He said day-to-day operations were expected to be managed by a third-party contractor and that the concept was based on a model the previous director had researched in North Carolina (the presentation noted either Greenville or Rocky Mount but did not specify which).

Jackson also summarized an approximate $34,000,000 request to fund acquisition, design and construction for affordable housing. He told the commission that, based on planning materials, much of the city’s occupied housing stock is “very dated” and that the funds would support multiple development activities. Jackson said about 95% of HCD’s budget is federal funding, and the SPLOST dollars would be targeted to land acquisition and development costs.

Commissioners asked for more detail. Commissioner Francine Scott asked how long HCD had occupied the current building and why it now needs further renovation; Jackson replied he had been in the offices about a month and a half and observed the building was dated and needed work. Commissioner Stacy Pulling asked whether HCD had consulted the city’s homeless task force about the Homeless Institute; Jackson said he “cannot speak to that” and offered to follow up. Commissioner Jordan Johnson asked whether the institute would be transitional or an overnight shelter; Jackson described it as “a hybrid of the two” with a transition focus and day-center services. Commissioners also asked Jackson to provide more specifics about what kinds of housing the $34 million might fund (duplexes, triplexes, tiny homes, mixed-use units); Jackson said those program details were not finalized and that he would research options and report back.

No motions or votes were taken on the HCD requests during the presentation. Commissioners and staff asked for follow-up information on task force engagement, program types that $34,000,000 would support, and connections to existing city housing programs and tax-credit incentives.

The presentation closed with Jackson offering to provide additional research and a more detailed proposal to the body.

Looking ahead, commissioners requested the department return with clarified funding scenarios and program design so the commission can consider prioritization as part of the SPLOST 9 planning process.

","Housing and Community Development presented three priority SPLOST 9 requests—a $3 million office renovation, a $12 million proposed Homeless Institute modeled on a North Carolina program, and $34 million for affordable housing acquisition and construction—without formal commitments or votes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Azalea Development reduces convention-center SPLOST ask to $18 million; parking deck not included

Economic development authority asks for $25 million to extend sewer to South Augusta mega site; projects estimate 1,800 jobs

Downtown Development Authority seeks $2.5 million in SPLOST 9 to sustain Broad Street TIA and small-business programs

Augusta Canal Authority requests $2.3 million for bridge, bathrooms and harvester; presents $23 million whitewater park concept

Augusta housing department seeks $49 million in SPLOST 9 requests, including $12 million 'Homeless Institute'