A portion of the 2017 tourism plan is progressing in 2026, thanks to “Augusta 2035: Blueprint for Action.”
It is Augusta Tomorrow’s vision project to grow both Augusta and North Augusta with big input from Destination Augusta.
Jennifer Bowen, Chief Strategy Officer, SVP, & Film Commissioner for Destination Augusta, told ABD they are excited about the plan.
“We’ve had an opportunity, actually, to be involved in it from the very beginning,” she said. “Bennish (Brown, President and CEO of Destination Augusta) first had an opportunity to serve on the committee that selected the consulting firm. From there, he and I both had the opportunity to stay involved in the actual work and the committee work that was done to help identify the recommendations.”
Bowen said they provided Augusta Tomorrow with the 2017 Destination Blueprint, created to promote tourism.
A suggestion in that plan, to have water taxis connecting Augusta and North Augusta, is part of the Augusta 2035 Rippled Edge projects to create recreation, gathering locations, and commercial offerings at the water’s edge.
“The reason for the recommendation in 2017 and why it still resonates today is to really try to achieve that connectivity between the Augusta side of the river and the North Augusta side of the river,” Bowen explained. “As North Augusta continues to develop its riverfront and density continues to grow, there will be opportunities to move people between the two shorelines, create an experience, and just have something really unique to our two-state area.”
Bowen is a member of the Rippled Edge committee, which also envisions floating piers and “bargelets” along the river’s edge.
“The bargelets are something that may be the shortest path to success, especially since the city is trying to designate funds towards it. The timing is just so good to influence that,” she said. “To see that infrastructure come to Riverwalk, that brings shopping, maybe dining, maybe coffee, maybe cafes, then that will bring people, and the more that we can engage it, the more interactive and better the experience it will be.”
Bowen said the two plans can work in concert to increase the attractiveness of downtown Augusta and increase interest in the Augusta-North Augusta area as a whole.
“Anytime that we can see our destination become enhanced with environmental changes, such as the suggested gathering areas around the Augusta Common and also in building more trails in and around the two-state area, those become assets that we can use in our promotional activities,” she said. “It’s all about just developing an experience. What visitors want is to do something that’s unique to the city and to the destination, and that is appealing to them.”
In addition to the Rippled Edge, Augusta 2035 has three other categories for projects.
- The Green Ribbon
- An approximately six-mile figure-eight trail that weaves through both cities—combining cohesive design with diverse destinations.
- The Canopy Network
- Double downtown’s shade and greenery through a “Parking Management Plan” strategy, expanded tree planting, and long-term stewardship across districts.
- The 5-Minute Downtown
- Compact, connected, and convenient. This strategy turns both downtowns into hyper-compact and walkable.
The last one includes turning a section of Jones Street into Jones Alley, a pedestrian plaza with retail and restaurant outlets.
“The Jones Alley project actually should begin in this calendar year. There is funding for it, and there is a timeline attached to the funding, which means that it has to be done this year. So, we should begin to see construction on Jones Alley, maybe before the end of summer, but certainly by the first of fall,” said Bowen.
Also, a step closer to fruition is Destination Augusta’s plan to build an eight-story tower along the river with a zipline connecting to the Fifth Street Pedestrian Bridge.
“Just about two weeks ago, we received notice from the Army Corps of Engineers that the project has been permitted. So, that is a huge milestone for us,” Bowen revealed. “We have begun what are called pre-construction meetings with the city’s various departments, and so our project is now considered kicked off, and we’ll be moving towards the construction phase.”
Bowen said they are still waiting for a few permit requests, but anticipate that those will be approved. They hope to begin construction in early May and should be completed in about six months. The project receives $1.7 million in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds.
(All photos provided by Augusta Tomorrow and Destination Augusta)
The Augusta 2035 master plan is available online at https://oneriverregion.com/
Destination Augusta’s 2017 plan is at www.visitaugusta.com/about-us/destination-blueprint/
