A hot June sun did nothing to wilt the enthusiasm of people who attended two events in downtown North Augusta on June 20.
One event marked the opening of an access point for the Greeneway at its closest proximity to Downtown Augusta. It is at the intersection of Bluff and West Avenues.
Mayor Briton Williams thanked North Augusta Forward, the nonprofit organization founded in 1999 to promote growth, economic development, recreation, and educational programs.
“When you have organizations that have like-minded goals, it’s really easy to collaborate. This will be the third collaboration we have done with North Augusta Forward since March last year. North Augusta, a number of years ago, had lots of land they donated to the city,” he said, adding, “I want to thank our city council for the commitment of the vision of downtown and also the investment they employ in completing this part of the downtown Greeneway connector.”
Brett Brannon, Chairman of North Augusta Forward, said supporting the Greeneway was an easy choice. He said surveys found the Greeneway tops the list of things people associate with the city.
“There are a lot of other answers, but the Greeneway is the heart and soul of the North Augusta community’s active lifestyle. We started to try to understand where people access the Greeneway, how they use it, biking, walking, running, where did those people come from,” he said.
They found the most popular way to access the Greeneway was from Riverview Park, however, there is no way to add commerce, even a simple food and drink business, at the park.
“So, we felt like one of the best things we could do was take the most valued asset, the most well-recognized asset, the Greeneway, to try to use that to revitalize the downtown. What we want to do is create a hub where this becomes the most popular place for people to access the Greeneway. Get on in downtown, and if you want to cycle or bike down the hills, use the rest of the Greeneway, practice sports, great. But if you want to come just for a leisurely walk, we want this to be the well-lit and community area that you see,” he explained.
The new access point is just a block away from a redevelopment project that will offer amenities like restaurants and retail space.
Beacon Bluff is turning the old carpet shop/skating rink on Georgia Avenue into a mixed-use facility. It will include office space and some apartments along with retail space and restaurants.
That was the focus of the second announcement Thursday evening.
David Brannon, Director at Palmetto Peach Development, which is refurbishing the property, said the mixed-used development is designed to serve as the linchpin connecting the Greeneway to the downtown corridor.
“We hope this is a boon for future economic development, that it supports the existing businesses in downtown, and then it provides a lot of the assets that the residents of North Augusta consistently talk about, namely, downtown living options, restaurants, retail and for small business owners in North Augusta, professional space,” he said. “We foresee the second phase of Beacon Bluff as being completed in February of 2025. Taken together with the carpet shop and the skating rink building, we are 75% leased up pre-construction, which I think shows the demand for this kind of space in this area.”
Thursday also marked the opening of the first business in the development. Fleet Feet welcomed the first customers.
Owner, Jenafer McCauley, who is also North Augusta Mayor Pro Tem, said the connectivity joining the Greeneway with downtown is why they committed to Beacon Bluff.
“We’re excited for all the development on this corner. I think it’s just going to be a huge foot traffic zone for everybody. And to be the first open is very exciting,” she told ABD. I think there will be a lot of stuff going on between the Greeneway connector and the multitude of businesses in one spot. I think we’ll see that environment of just hanging out and having a good time.”
“They were the first ones as business owners to step up and say, ‘That’s where we want to put our business. We want to invest in North Augusta,’” said Brett Brannon, President of Palmetto Peach Development. “I will tell you; they have never wavered in their commitment to the city of North Augusta.”
The crowd also welcomed the announcement of a restaurant that will be part of the final project. The owners of Brinkley’s Chophouse near SRP Park announced the creation of Brinkley’s Tavern on the Bluff.
“Our vision for Brinkley Tavern is to establish it as more than just an unparalleled and unpretentious, casual restaurant, but as North Augusta’s living room, a place where families gather for meals, friends reconnect over drinks, and the community comes together after a long day,” said Executive Chef, Ed DeFelice. “We are working hard to create an environment where under one roof, families can watch the big games and races during the day, a young couple can meet for a first date, ladies can have a fun night out on the town, and where adults can mingle while listening to live music, all in a safe and casual surrounding.”
DeFelice told ABD that customers familiar with the Chophouse can expect the same level of service and product on the plate at Tavern on the Bluff.
Tavern on the Bluff joins Utah-based Melty restaurant, featuring a variety of grilled cheese sandwiches. It is also opening soon in Aiken Town Park.
