Augusta, GA

Leaders, businesses push for entertainment district in downtown Augusta

Published

9 months ago

April 19, 2024

Press Room

Leaders, businesses push for entertainment district in downtown Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – City leaders are planning to create an entertainment district in downtown Augusta.

The idea is to model it after cities like Savannah with similar open container rules.

Right now, current downtown Augusta ordinances don’t allow for open containers or bars to have outdoor seating. The rules impact several businesses.

Pedal Pub is fairly new to the area. With the current rules, they cannot use their pub on the pedals.

Charity Jones and Syderist Manuel are sisters and co-owners.

“Once this entertainment district is done and completed, we’ll definitely see a definite change in our business. Without being able to take alcohol on the bikes, a lot of people are like ‘Okay, well we can go other places to enjoy it,’” they said.

They are not the only place with this problem. It’s starting to catch the attention of those in charge.

Commissioner Sean Frantom said: “Between Augusta University, the cyber center, and all the residential going up, it’s time for us to kind of up our game in downtown Augusta. You’d be able to have a designated cup that each establishment would have where you can only have your drink in this cup as you go from establishment to establishment, as well as the fact that it would be able to carry this drink to the James Brown arena.”

Right now, it’s just a matter of getting everyone on board.

“We want the blessing of the sheriff’s office and kind of what they think and what they see in this. Obviously, it’ll only be a certain timeframe. It won’t be until 2 a.m., it’ll be maybe towards 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. Again, we want to be respectful of that,” said Frantom.

As for businesses, they are also in planning mode.

Manuel and Jones said: “How can we work? What is it that we want as bars to be able to see the entertainment district represent for us, you know, we would like to be at the forefront of that, making sure that it is something that would benefit us.”

Many stakeholders are involved in the planning from the Downtown Development Authority to the Convention Center.

One of the main things they’re considering is safety when it comes to allowing open containers.

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Augusta, GA

Crosstown showdown rescheduled: Augusta and USC-Aiken to play Sunday

Published

4 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

Crosstown showdown rescheduled: Augusta and USC-Aiken to play Sunday

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The basketball doubleheader featuring both Augusta University and University of South Carolina Aiken has been moved to Sunday.

The two were originally slated to play on Saturday afternoon.

The women’s game will tipoff at 1:30 p.m., and the men’s will follow at 3:30 p.m in the USC Aiken Convocation Center.

Both the Pacers and Jags men’s team last played on Feb. 10 2024.

AU climbed to a 5-point lead in the final period, winning 98-93.

Prior to their last meeting, USC Aiken had a four-game win streak over the Jags.

Sunday will mark the 89th meeting between the two programs.

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Augusta, GA

Winter weather causes crashes across CSRA on slick roads

Published

16 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Winter weather causes crashes across CSRA on slick roads

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Multiple cars crashed due to winter weather conditions on I-20 in the CSRA early Friday morning, according to authorities.

On I-20 in Augusta, the road conditions at the Washington Road exit were hazardous, according to our reporter on the interstate.

Our reporter saw another wreck on the Bobby Jones overpass from I-520 to I-20 at 10:35 a.m. We’ve reached out to learn more.

Across the river, on I-20 westbound just before mile marker 4, multiple vehicles were pulled over after a car carrier crash around 10 a.m. in Aiken County.

On I-20 westbound just before mile marker 4, multiple vehicles were pulled over after a car carrier crash around 10 a.m. in Aiken County.

We have reached out to learn more.

Dispatch told us crews were on the scene of a multiple-car crash on I-20 eastbound at the Walton Way extension ramp at 9:25 a.m.

Officials say at least two vehicles were involved, but more were reported, and they are unsure how many exactly.

They did however say more vehicles became involved after sliding on the road from weather conditions.

Dispatch says they are unsure of any injuries or if any lanes were blocked.

Augusta, GA

Wayfair Outlet store opens at the Augusta Exchange

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Wayfair Outlet store opens at the Augusta Exchange

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The new Wayfair outlet is now open at the Augusta Exchange.

You will be able to find furniture and home décor at the location that used to be a Buy Buy Baby store.

It’s the latest store to open in the Augusta area.

One customer we spoke with says he thinks the store will be here for a while as it brings something different to the area.

“People are here spending money and they are here to make their house look better. I never thought I would be a dude in his 40s in an outlet, me in an outlet. But I did it today and I think it’s good,” said Carlton Ferguson.

It’s welcome news for fans of the Augusta Exchange, which has seen a bevy of closures in the past couple of years, including Subway, Genghis Grill, O’Charley’s, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Buy Buy Baby and Christmas Tree Shops.

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