Thursday, Feb 2, 2016

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- Untapped potential. Those are the two words a consultant working with the city for years used repeatedly to describe Downtown Augusta.

The good news: He says there's nothing standing in our way ... except maybe us.

Acres and acres of the beautiful Savannah River stretch along the sides of Augusta's downtown.

"You don't see that in a downtown typically."

Augusta Conventions and Visitors Bureau thinks there is one big problem.

"If you are a visitor downtown you may not even know there is a river there, because they don't see it," said Augusta CVB CEO Barry White.

Thursday Augusta CVB unveiled "Destination Blueprint" to a room of Augusta's largest stake holders. It's a plan to tap into the Savannah and other areas downtown.

" We have an unprecedented opportunity," said White.

An opportunity for the Augusta Common to expand all the way to the river with a destination center in the water at the end.

"You also have the levee so you have to find some way to bring up the levee level, create splash pads and family entertainment and even in the river , create a river destination center where you can rent canoes, skis, water taxis," said Principal Consultant with Conventions, Sports and Leisure John Kaatz.

Another opportunity the city has is using golf carts as trademark transportation around downtown.

"Where else should you be able to get on a golf cart and take a shuttle or take a tour than Augusta, Ga. where over 85 percent of the worlds cars and golf carts are made," said White.

Blueprint plans include zip lines and even a "James Brown Festival" to bring in visitors from across the world, but the big questions when is this going to happen and what's the price tag. Especially for a project as big as expanding the Augusta Common.

"Well , that's a high dollar project. Typically the more money associated with it, it might take a little longer and require additional thought," said CEO White.

"We are trying to be as collaborative and comprehensive in the participation because this will take all of our community to move it forward," said White.

Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- The Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau released Destination Blueprint Thursday at the Annual State of Tourism Luncheon.

The ACVB partnered with Conventions, Sports & Leisure in 2016 to review existing tourism project concepts, conduct an Augusta competitive destination analysis, and make recommendations for new products and services to enhance Augusta as a preferred destination.

To view the blueprint,

Consultant suggests expanding the Commons to increase connectivity to the Savannah. Here's the view from Reynolds in the model. @WRDW_WAGTpic.twitter.com/igTBnkXOa8 — Kelly Wiley (@KellyWRDW) February 2, 2017

The blueprint details an extension of the Augusta Common towards the Savannah River. It also highlights the area's assets which include the river, riverwalk, canal, and the Mariott and Convention Center.

This is a better look at what extending the common into the Savannah River could look like. Are you a fan? @WRDW_WAGTpic.twitter.com/LPGu8dRLAg — Kelly Wiley (@KellyWRDW) February 2, 2017

The main focus of the blueprints is a better use of the river and having easier pedestrian areas.