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Historic Preservation Commission authorizes letter endorsing Riverwalk zip‑line project
Summary
The Augusta Historic Preservation Commission on Nov. 20 authorized the chair to sign a letter endorsing Destination Augusta's SPLOST‑funded outdoor urban adventure center at the Riverwalk, after staff said the endorsement would carry weight in state permitting where the State Historic Preservation Division flagged an adverse effect.
The Augusta Historic Preservation Commission voted Nov. 20 to authorize the chair to sign a letter of endorsement for an "outdoor urban adventure center" proposed for the city's Riverwalk, a Destination Augusta‑led project that includes an eight‑story climbing tower, challenge course on the Freedom Bridge and zip lines across the Savannah River.
The project is funded in part through SPLOST 8, which included $1,750,000 for zip‑line amenities, and Destination Augusta serves as the city's project manager, Jennifer Bowen, Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Vice President for Destination Augusta, told the commission. Bowen said the Forge was selected to design, build and operate the attraction and that the Forge already holds a maintenance contract with the city.
"Part of the Army Corps of Engineers process is to seek approval from the State of Georgia's Historic Preservation Department," Bowen said. "The State Historic Preservation Division has actually written a letter that they believe ... the challenge course on the bridge may impact the historical significance of the bridge, and they have given us an adverse effect." Bowen said the project team is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on mitigation and requested a local letter be sent to the Corps and the State Historic Preservation Division to note local support for the project's mitigation plan.
Commissioners sought details about operations, maintenance, accessibility and parking. Bowen said the Forge will be the operator and responsible for maintenance, public‑facing amenities will be accessible — enabled in part by a grant from the Georgia Rehabilitation Institute — and parking plans include a drop‑off and accessible spaces near the climbing tower as well as 25 spots at the Riverwalk Marina and the potential use of depot and on‑street parking.
Commissioner Matson moved and Commissioner Vick seconded a motion to authorize the chair to sign an endorsement letter; the motion carried with commissioners voting in favor (7–0). City staff and the project team will prepare a draft letter for the commission and coordinate with the city attorney and Destination Augusta on wording.
The vote does not approve construction or permits. Bowen emphasized that federal (Army Corps) and state historic‑review processes remain under way and that the local letter is intended to influence mitigation review at the state level. The project team estimated the construction phase at roughly six months once Army Corps and City of Augusta planning approvals are obtained, and Bowen said elements such as donut boats (8–10 craft proposed) and observation‑deck rentals are part of the planned offerings.
Next steps: staff will work with Destination Augusta to draft the endorsement letter for the chair's signature and the project will continue through Army Corps and city permitting and mitigation review.
