Augusta infrastructure, development, elections ahead in 2020

Big decisions by Augusta commissioners — and by the voters who elect them — lay ahead in 2020.

Referenda on sales taxes in March and November will set the course this year for millions in infrastructure spending. Phase 2 of the decade-long Transportation Investment Act sales tax appears on the March 24 Presidential Preference Primary ballot.

Mayor Hardie Davis, who shepherded the sales tax list for Augusta, said the some $296 million in projects will allow the city to fully fund transit while improving transportation infrastructure on the city’s south side and downtown.

If voters across the 13-county CSRA region approve the tax, estimated collections of $555 million for designated projects — plus another 25 percent of each county’s share, around $231 million in discretionary spending — will flow to the region.

The list also includes $10 million for an issue several commissioners said is extremely important — preservation of the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam.

Throughout 2019, the community reeled as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers unveiled plans to demolish the lock and dam, which will significantly lower water levels upstream around downtown Augusta and North Augusta.

At the end of the year, the city of Augusta joined South Carolina’s lawsuit against the corps. The litigation is in its early stages, while state and federal officials say they also oppose the corps’ plan.

“I have serious concerns that if the pool is lowered, it will affect recreation and beautification on the river,” said Mary Davis, commissioner from the third district.

With the lawsuit, the issue is “headed in the right direction,” said District 6 Commissioner Ben Hasan. “This is a regional issue affecting Columbia County, Burke County, Richmond County, Aiken County. It’s a quality-of-life issue for this area.”

Hasan said another key decision this year may be on building a replacement for the aging James Brown arena.

“It’s obvious we need to come into the 21th century,” he said. “Arenas today are called experiences.”

The lock and dam and stormwater infrastructure are most important to Super District 10 Commissioner John Clarke.

“They should repair the lock and dam, make it stable and turn it over to the city of Augusta or the cities of Augusta and North Augusta,” Clarke said.

Also affecting “generations” is the city’s crumbling stormwater infrastructure, and Clarke, citing recent flash flooding, said the nearly $63 million in stormwater utility fees the city has spent since 2016 haven’t made a dent.

“Infrastructure is a very, very important part of what we need to fix in 2020, and we need to revisit the way the money is spent and spend a little bit more money on actually replacing storm drains and pipes,” he said.

This year, the fee reaches a key period when the commission that approved it in 2013 agreed to conduct a five-year review of its effectiveness.

Other big projects sit looming on the immediate horizon: By Jan. 28, developers are required to resolve several issues that have been commission sticking points for the estimated $90 million retail-office-apartment complex Riverfront at the Depot.

Disagreements about the city’s role in financing the project and title issues have plagued the Downtown Development Authority project for several years.

Along with the two sales taxes, the Depot is one of “two huge economic development deals that will leave a lasting impact on the entire community,” Mayor Pro Tem Sean Frantom said. The other big economic development in 2020 remains under wraps,” he said.

Reaching some conclusion about the Depot as well as a proposed juvenile justice facility are key issues for District 2 Commissioner Dennis Williams.

The length of debate over both projects gave Williams another wish for the commission this year.

“We just have to work more at getting things accomplished and finishing them,” he said. “I hope we’re going to prove ourselves to be a little more expedient in the incoming year.”

Before they vote on Special Purpose, Local Option Sales Tax 8 in November, voters will pick five commissioners to represent them on the May 19 nonpartisan ballot.

Every two years, Augusta voters elect half the city’s governing body and odd-numbered districts are up in 2020. Two seats are held by incumbents with no stated opposition: Commissioner Bobby Williams in District 5 and Mayor Pro Tem Sean Frantom in District 7.

Districts 1, 3 and 9 are wide open -- and 13 have now filed to run for one of the three posts, making July 21 runoffs highly likely.

District 1, representing downtown and East Augusta has drawn five candidates — business owners Shawda Griffin, Von Young Pouncey and Michael Thurman, who ran for the seat four years ago — in addition to east Augusta homeowner Dolly Jones and Democratic Party Chairman Jordan Johnson.

“There are four blacks and one white — the district is going to have to make a decision on which way they want to go,” said Commissioner Marion Williams, whose Super District 9 term ends this year.

Williams said the depot project, a proposal to charge for parking downtown, the stormwater utility fee and an upcoming commission debate over whether to end the city recycling program are key concerns.

“It’s stuff we need but they’re going to be issues,” he said.

Three are now in the running for Davis’ seat — Catherine Smith McKnight, the daughter of former commissioner Grady Smith, downtown small business owner Sean Mooney and Robert Cooks, the former Augusta Neighborhood Improvement Corp. director who ran for school board last year.

Williams said he has no preference for any of the candidates seeking to replace him representing Super District 9, which spans districts 1, 2, 4 and 5.

The number grew to five last week with Democratic activist Joe Traina joining the race. In addition, small business owners Charles Cummings, Jo’Rae Jenkins and former commissioner Corey Johnson and state retiree Francine Scott are seeking the post.

Along with whatever else comes the city’s way, the commission is likely to devote time through the year to developing the next list for the city’s traditional sales tax, which can fund any type of infrastructure, and seek approval from voters Nov. 3.