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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