AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – As the nation marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, one city’s contribution to that history remains easy to overlook.

In Augusta, local patriots and one of the youngest signers of the Declaration helped push the American Revolution forward — from a frontier colony set up as a buffer between South Carolina and Spanish-controlled Florida.

An unlikely signer from humble beginnings

Wedged between medical buildings on the edge of downtown Augusta sits Meadow Garden — the home of George Walton, one of Georgia’s signers of the Declaration of Independence.

“We were not an afterthought in the Revolution. We were a very important part of that Revolution,” said Ransom Schwarzer, director of Meadow Garden and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Walton’s path to that moment was anything but privileged. Schwarzer said Walton’s father died around the time of his birth, and by age seven he was fully orphaned.

“He didn’t have a fortune. He didn’t have that university education like Thomas Jefferson,” Schwarzer said. “He’s having to pull himself up and make his own way. He had to be incredibly determined.”

That determination carried Walton into politics and eventually into history. He became one of the youngest men to sign the Declaration of Independence.

“George is very distinct in coming from such humble backgrounds and making his own way at such a young age,” Schwarzer said. “He decided he was going to make a different life for himself.”

The battle to take Augusta back

Five years after the Declaration was signed, the British still controlled Georgia. Their troops were stationed at St. Paul’s Church in Augusta. Augusta patriots devised a plan to retake the city.

A marker along Reynolds Street downtown commemorates the Maham Tower — the key to how they did it.

“They actually build a tower — an earthen tower shored up with wood — haul their cannons onto the top of that tower, fire down into that fort, devastating it,” Schwarzer said. “And after a few days, the British will surrender and Augusta will be back in Patriot hands.”

That surrender came in June 1781 — months before the British formally surrendered at Yorktown.

Augusta’s place in the larger story

More battles were fought in South Carolina than in any other colony. What happened across Georgia and the Carolinas helped determine how the war ended and what the new country would look like.

George Walton is buried beneath the Signers’ Monument in downtown Augusta. Meadow Garden is hosting free America250 events this weekend, open to the public.

“We have a lot of possibilities now,” Schwarzer said. “Take what we have, make the best of it, and keep moving.”

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta Commission members met Tuesday, hearing from the public and looking at a variety of issues.

West Augusta community center

A member of the public asked commissioners for confirmation about whether the proposed west Augusta community center is an approved SPLOST 9 project and sought clarification on its designation, prioritization, site location, scope, and projected timeline for implementation.

She asked whether the promised $10 million is protected for that project.

She said west Augusta is one of the city’s fastest-growing areas but still lacks a community center, arguing it is essential infrastructure that would improve health, provide safe recreation, and offer programs for youth and seniors.

Parks and Recreation Director Tameka Williams confirmed the project is included in SPLOST 9 under a broader $21.7 million category for new facilities and facility revitalization, with $10 million intended for the new center.

The speaker expressed concern that because the referendum grouped several parks projects together, the money could eventually be redirected elsewhere.

Commissioner Don Clark assured her the funding is designated for a new community center

Interim City Attorney Plunkett explained that while the referendum language is broad, the materials presented to voters specifically identified $10 million for a West Augusta Community Center, making the commission accountable to that commitment.

Williams noted the project is approved, but key details — including a site, land acquisition, construction timeline, and where it falls in SPLOST priorities—have not yet been determined.

Helene cost update

Commissioners approved a change order to extend some Hurricane Helene work to Dec. 31. Tetra Tech reported the city has submitted an estimated $83.6 million in eligible storm costs.

Of that, $75.9 million has now been approved by FEMA, a 36% increase — roughly $20 million more than when the company last updated commissioners in February.

The company said the remaining work involves navigating FEMA’s extensive documentation, auditing, and compliance requirements as Augusta continues drawing down the approved funds.

During questions, Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle asked whether FEMA could help cover the millions of dollars in storm damage to trees and canal embankments along the canal.

Tetra Tech said it is working with Augusta Utilities, FEMA, and state officials to determine what portions of that project qualify for reimbursement, but no final determination has been made because of the project’s complexity.

Parking approval

Commissioners approved a motion to approve for city staff to initiate procurement of a parking management firm for the downtown area and for the law department to draft related updates to the Code of Ordinances regarding parking.

Leaders approved moving forward with the next steps toward a downtown parking management system, including starting the procurement process for a private parking management company and drafting updates to Augusta’s parking ordinances.

Commissioner Jordan Johnson questioned whether the city had fully weighed the costs and benefits of outsourcing parking management versus running it in-house.

Engineering Director Dr. Malik said he now recommends hiring a private contractor to handle the entire operation—from equipment to enforcement—with the city receiving a guaranteed revenue amount under the contract. He said that approach would require little to no upfront cost for Augusta because the contractor would absorb implementation expenses.

Malik said the amount of revenue the city receives will depend largely on the hourly parking rate. He previously recommended $1.50 an hour but now believes a minimum of $2.50 would better reflect rising costs. He pointed to cities like Atlanta and Savannah, where parking programs generate millions of dollars annually.

Johnson also asked about the timeline. Malik said staff is currently drafting the request for proposals, with a draft expected before a July stakeholder meeting. The procurement process is still in its early stages, so no implementation schedule has been established, including whether paid parking would coincide with the ongoing Broad Street improvement project.

Johnson requested a list of businesses and organizations participating in stakeholder meetings, saying he wants to ensure the group represents the full downtown community. Malik said participants include the Downtown Development Authority, Augusta Tomorrow, Destination Augusta, economic development officials, restaurants, and downtown business owners.

Commissioners also discussed the ordinance changes that would be needed if paid parking moves forward. The law department said revisions would likely cover parking fees, time limits, violations, and enforcement procedures, using ordinances from cities like Athens, Atlanta, and Savannah as models while updating a draft ordinance

Johnson also asked about potential enforcement costs, including impacts on the courts or sheriff’s office, and said the city should understand those expenses before committing to a system.

He also questioned whether enough public feedback has been gathered, noting Augusta’s previous attempts at paid parking — including parking meters and a downtown parking deck — were unsuccessful

Malik said initial feedback has come primarily through the Downtown Development Authority and conversations with Broad Street businesses, but broader public input will continue as the process moves forward.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Salvation Army of Augusta is collecting supplies to help community members who lack access to cool spaces or water during the ongoing heat.

The organization is asking for donations of bottled water, reusable bottles, sunscreen, fans and similar items.

What to donate and where to drop off

Jonathan Raymer, major and area commander for the Salvation Army of Augusta, said the need will carry into July.

“It’s not going to get any cooler in July, right? We all live here. And so those are supplies we can definitely use going into next month,” Raymer said.

Raymer said donated items will go directly to people in the community who are in need.

“Any of those kind of things that you are able — or maybe you have some in excess of — if you want to donate those, we can use those for sure for those people in our community who are in need for that,” he said.

Donations can be dropped off at the Salvation Army Center of Hope, the Kroc Center or any Salvation Army Family Store. Or you can buy an item on the organization’s wishlist.