AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The search continues for a new Augusta parks and recreation director.

The Augusta Commission discussed the vacancy during a work session Thursday.

The position was first opened in March and closed on April 6. Augusta Interim Administrator Takiyah Douse said more than 58 people applied, but only 16 met all the qualifications.

The job will be reposted July 1, and the position will close again July 31.

The commission is requesting an update around Labor Day on applications and finalists.

WORK SESSION MATERIALS:

City human resources staff members say they’ll have an update at the commission’s Aug. 13 meeting

Maurice McDowell resigned as head of the department in February, leaving with severance as he faced a penalty after a human resources inquiry found evidence of age discrimination.

In addition to filling the vacancy, commission members have been grappling with selecting a firm to audit the department.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Recent downtown celebrations are to thank for an unexpected business boom, according to Augusta business owners.

And it comes nearly three weeks after a gunman opened fire into a crowd on Broad Street.

Just a few weeks after downtown was shattered by the shooting, the garden city is rebounding with Juneteenth and Pride — all of which are having a positive impact on business.

And with temperatures shooting up, there’s been a concern business would wilt in the hot weather.

“Of course, the weather is not helping with it being so incredibly hot,” said Hope Trujillo, manager at Pineapple Ink.

But the events downtown these past two weekends have helped move things in the right direction.

“We were way busier than normal we had a lot of high numbers we had a lot of visitors from out of town stop in,” said Trujillo.

Pride and Juneteenth both created foot traffic in downtown Augusta.

“But that Saturday when it was complete Pride events downtown, the parade at the commons, we did 200 plus cover the whole day which is really phenomenal for a small place like ourselves,” said Trujillo.

Whether a business has been downtown for three weeks or two years, everyone saw the increase.

“We’ve been here three weeks. This Friday will be one month. I can say with the festival that happened I saw some new faces we were a little bit busier than usual,” said Anna Chavez, manager of El Paso.

Trujillo said: “We were absolutely surprised we were way busier than normal.”

Hitting just the right note at just the right time.

“Well, you do have that little slow time it’s the end of school families are going on vacation we have that little slump, so Pride and Juneteenth helped downtown get passed that little slump,” said Trujillo.

Businesses hope to see more people find their way downtown as summer goes on. They just hope the heat doesn’t keep people at home.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Downtown Augusta businesses are seeing an economic boost after a busy few weekends.

It comes nearly three weeks after a gunman opened fire into a crowd on Broad Street.

Just a few weeks after downtown was shattered by the shooting, the garden city is rebounding with Juneteenth and Pride — all of which are having a positive impact on business.

And with temperatures shooting up, there’s been a concern business would wilt in the hot weather.

“Of course, the weather is not helping with it being so incredibly hot,” said Hope Trujillo, manager at Pineapple Ink.

But the events downtown these past two weekends have helped move things in the right direction.

“We were way busier than normal we had a lot of high numbers we had a lot of visitors from out of town stop in,” said Trujillo.

Pride and Juneteenth both created foot traffic in downtown Augusta.

“But that Saturday when it was complete Pride events downtown, the parade at the commons, we did 200 plus cover the whole day which is really phenomenal for a small place like ourselves,” said Trujillo.

Whether a business has been downtown for three weeks or two years, everyone saw the increase.

“We’ve been here three weeks. This Friday will be one month. I can say with the festival that happened I saw some new faces we were a little bit busier than usual,” said Anna Chavez, manager of El Paso.

Trujillo said: “We were absolutely surprised we were way busier than normal.”

Hitting just the right note at just the right time.

“Well, you do have that little slow time it’s the end of school families are going on vacation we have that little slump, so Pride and Juneteenth helped downtown get passed that little slump,” said Trujillo.

Businesses hope to see more people find their way downtown as summer goes on. They just hope the heat doesn’t keep people at home.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.