Big Plan For One Augusta

Gordon Highway and Deans Bridge Road are two of Augusta’s main entryways.

But this important intersection is at a crossroads when it comes to future development.

“It’s a barrier, in so many ways, visual, psychological, physical, it has to be one of the first areas we should look out,” says Urban Designer Johns Shields.

And city leaders are preparing to take a big and in-depth look at the Garden City.

Shields and his designed team have been put on the payroll, to construct a compressive development plan for all of Augusta.

It’s being called the One Augusta Plan.

Shields knows the territory, having worked on the Downtown Master Plan unveiled earlier this year.

“This is a very necessary plan, obviously the nuclear industry is suppose to bring ten thousand jobs within the next ten years we’ve got to plan for the future and engage the community in moving forward,” says Mayor Deke Copenhaver.

The planning process will take at least 14 months to complete, with Shields encouraging commissioners to dream big to make all of Augusta great.

“Put in some character communities the west side maybe one way, south Augusta maybe another, east Augusta maybe something different, but there will be something for everyone,” says Mayor Pro-Tem Alvin Mason.

Planning for all of Augusta isn’t cheap, at a half a million dollars it’s nearly twice the cost of the Downtown Master Plan.

And right now city taxpayers will be picking up all the costs.

“Absolutely it is worth it to invest in Augusta’s future,” says Mayor Deke Copenhaver.

The next major step will be for Commissioners to select a 24 member advisory committee.

Designers would like to see the group made up of stake holders including the Mayor and two or four Commissioners, business leaders, and a representative from the Augusta National Golf Club.

Commissioners are looking to make the appointments by the middle of July.