Message From Main Street: 

Streetscape Project Credit Should Be Shared

On Monday, September 24, at 6:30 p.m., the City Council will be having a special meeting to discuss the upcoming Streetscape Project.  I encourage not only downtown stakeholders on this issue, but community members to attend.  It will be very exciting to see what great things are in store for our historic downtown.

This $1.8 million project will drastically enhance the image of our downtown.  However, it must be noted that this project has been made possible because of the support and commitment of the entire community. 

While the grant application is full of facts and drawings, what really got the attention of the State was Augustans' willingness to take part in enhancing their downtown.    Augusta was not sitting idly, as some communities do, waiting for the State to come in and assist them, they took initiative. 

Letters of endorsement were written not only by downtown merchants, but by the residents and elected officials.  Not only did the City agree to a 20% match, but many organizations such as Save our State Street, Chamber of Commerce, Arts Council, Historical Society and Downtown Augusta, Inc., have contributed immensely to making Augusta a place you are proud of.  Everyone worked together on this project and it shows what amazing things can be done when people join forces.  This is such an exciting project for not only our downtown, but our entire community.  It will make us stand out and show visitors that if we care so much as to invest money in our downtown, maybe it's worth checking out.

For a community Augusta's size, this project is a huge undertaking, but it shows that the possibilities to our community are endless.  If we all work together, who knows what can be accomplished!