AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – You and your family can celebrate reading and learning during the Kroc Center’s Literacy Nigh on Tuesday.

The event will take place from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the Kroc Center, 1833 Broad Street.

It is free for all ages.

Literacy Night is part of the Kroc Center’s literacy initiative and will bring together local partners, educators and authors for families in the CSRA.

“Literacy is foundational to everything we do — from education and employment to confidence and connection,” said Randall Collins, Director of Operations at the Kroc Center of Augusta.

The event is presented in partnership with the Jessye Norman School of the Arts, RISE Augusta, Richmond County Library and Dr. Paulette P. Harris Literacy Center at Augusta University.

At the event, attendees experience:

• Community literacy resources
• Local author readings
• Games with prizes
• Free books 
• Crafts and hands-on literacy activities
• Take-home learning resources
• Pizza for attendees

“This Literacy Night is about removing barriers, bringing families together, and creating a welcoming space where reading and learning feel accessible and fun for everyone,” said Collins.

Registration is available online at AugustaKroc.org. Walk-ins are welcome.

Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta neighbors have organized to express concerns about a data center that’s going up next door.

The group will address the Augusta Commission on Tuesday about the data center that’s planned next to the Haynes Station subdivision.

The east edge of the site is perched on a hill behind homes on Goodale Drive, and the west side would stretch to the Captain’s Corner subdivision.

The Haynes Station Concerned Residents Committee said neighbors will attend the Augusta Commission meeting shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday.

The group said it was formed to “better understand the project and to seek clarity.”

The neighbors said they’re not opposed to development or data centers but question whether they ever had a meaningful chance to participate in the review process.

“The initial focus is on ensuring compliance with required notification and transparency standards,” the group said. “Once clarity on the notification process is established, residents intend to engage constructively on shared community concerns at a later date.”

The environmental quality section of the application with the state says the data center will likely affect water supply watershed, wetlands and floodplains.

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“Following clarification of the notification process, residents anticipate seeking additional information related to infrastructure capacity, water usage, noise and generator operations, traffic, emergency services, and cumulative impacts on surrounding residential communities in Haynes Station,” the group said.

Until recently, many residents didn’t even know about the plans for the site off Gordon Highway just east of Grovetown.

A smaller data center totaling 1.67 million square feet was announced years ago before much of Haynes Station neighborhood was even built.

Later, the original company exited the project and many people likely presumed it was dead.

However, in a move that slipped under the radar for many, a new company came in and filed an application with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to expand the proposal.

It would now include six two-story buildings totaling more than 2.15 million square feet.

For comparison, Augusta Mall has 1.1 million square feet of store space.

SEE THE SCHEMATICS:

The application states the facility is expected to consume 18,000 gallons of water per day. That’s about 900 showers.

It would also generate 9,200 gallons of wastewater a day, or about 5,750 flushes.

At least some preliminary work has apparently begun on the data center, with one older home being demolished and heavy equipment coming to the location that’s near a power substation.

According to the application with the state, the center could be completed in the second quarter of 2026.

Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

AUGUSTA, Georgia—An affiliate of Flacks Group announced that it has acquired the DoubleTree by Hilton Augusta, located in Augusta, GA. Flacks has selected StepStone Hospitality to manage the property. 

The hotel includes 182 guest rooms and more than 12,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, catering to golf groups, corporate gatherings, weddings, birthdays, and social celebrations. A variety of on-site dining experiences is available, including Jama’s Coffee Shop, serving Starbucks coffee; The Lotus Bar, open evenings for appetizers, light bites, cocktails, and craft beverages; and Andrew’s Restaurant, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner alongside in-room dining options.

Ownership is anticipating undertaking a $12 million capital investment in the property to renovate the hotel. The project will include refreshed guest rooms, upgraded public areas, a reimagined food and beverage experience, new elevators, and a modernized reception and arrival experience.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Augusta offers access to downtown Augusta, Fort Gordon Army Base, Joseph M Still Burn Center, local business corridors, and the Augusta National Golf Club.

“We are excited about the future of the DoubleTree Augusta,” said James Gassenheimer, chief executive officer of Flacks Group. “This investment underscores our confidence in the Augusta market and our vision to create long-term value while delivering an exceptional guest experience.”

“The DoubleTree Augusta is a great addition to our portfolio as we continue to expand our presence in the Southeast and relationship with the Flacks Group,” said Michael Broadhurst, chief operating officer of StepStone Hospitality. “We look forward to leveraging our experience to deliver an exceptional experience for our guests and associated as well to maximize value for ownership”.