Augusta, GA

With state help, Augusta looks to revitalize Turpin Hill neighborhood

Published

10 months ago

March 13, 2024

Press Room

With state help, Augusta looks to revitalize Turpin Hill neighborhood

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – There is a new push to revitalize one of Augusta’s more blighted corners in the community.

Specifically, the Turpin Hill neighborhood, just outside of the medical district and Laney Walker area.

Now, thanks to state and University of Georgia partnerships with the city, there’s a plan for change in the historic neighborhood. But the city wants to hear from neighbors in the area.

Streets are lined with haunted-looking homes where thriving businesses used to stand on multiple corners.

While there is some life there, you only have to turn your head to see the blight.

“It’s good they’re doing something, you know, you stand around and see it going down,” said the owner of Nearby Grocery, Gregory Matthews,

Matthews’ family has been running the Nearby Grocery since the late 40s.

He’s seen Turpin Hill in its prime and says a revitalization is overdue.

“You’re going to have some new blood, new communities springing up. New business. It’s always a plus for the city itself to be improved,” said Matthews.

The city applied to a program called the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH). They were one of five projects across the state selected. The city, the state, and UGA will now collaborate on this plan over the next three to five years.

Housing and Community Development director, Hawthorne Welcher Jr., said: “Turpin Hill is an area we have not talked a lot about. We’ve pretty much sold them on the dire need and the deficiencies, the abandonment, the blight, the destitution; we sold them on that.”

The hope is this will be wildly successful, so more of these projects come to more neighborhoods in Augusta and help business owners, like Matthews.

“Well, it’s been a little trying because I had a ‘captive audience’ when I had the sunset homes over there, but now we’re filling. Walton Green is just filling up and so business is still picking up, I was able to survive so, it’s going to be alright,” said Matthews.

Hawthorne said: “Regardless of how great the plan is, regardless of how great the reward is, it starts and ends with the residents.”

Augusta will host three community meetings at the Carrie J. Mays Community Center.

Here’s a list of the meeting dates and times:

March 21 at 6 p.m.
June 20 at 6 p.m.
September 19 at 6 p.m.

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Augusta, GA

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

Published

8 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

19 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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