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Downtown business owners press for more parking and clearer construction communications during Broad Street project
Summary
Business owners and the New Augusta Arena committee urged the commission and engineering staff to revise the current Broad Street streetscape design to restore parking and improve construction management and communications.
Business and downtown stakeholders told the commission the Broad Street streetscape design should be revised to avoid a net loss of parking and to improve day-to-day construction communications with affected businesses.
Brad Usher, chair of the New Augusta Arena Committee, said parking is critical to downtown success and urged the city to seek a net gain of spaces rather than a loss. Business owners and restaurant operators described dust, sidewalk breaks and access issues caused by early construction work, and asked for clearer notices and better daily management of construction zones. One owner said sidewalk breaks had created trip hazards and excessive dust that required more frequent cleaning.
Director Malik and engineering staff said they had asked the design consultant for revised plans and that initial revisions were provided for internal review the day of the meeting. Engineering indicated it will review the updated plan and return to the commission with comments after the Masters tournament; staff said a design consultant should be onboard and working within 6–9 months for corridor-level improvements but that short-term design adjustments and additional parking opportunities can be reviewed sooner. Administration and engineering added they have created multiple email and alert groups (safety, elected officials, business contacts) and are coordinating with the Downtown Development Authority to improve communications and signage.
Commissioners asked staff to include business owners in review sessions and asked for a formal update to the committee in April. Engineering committed to additional coordination and to exploring options such as making Ellis Street one-way with diagonal parking, evaluating time-limited parking, and looking for other spaces to add capacity.
A motion from the committee requested a progress update at the April committee cycle so the city and stakeholders can reconcile construction sequencing, parking counts and communications.
