A revived debate on designating all of downtown Augusta a “slum” to renovate the government’s downtown campus and a renewed request by Augusta Riverfront for a shared air-conditioning tower highlight Monday agendas of Augusta Commission committees.
Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle, who heads the city’s Finance Committee, said he was unaware the “slum” item had been placed on the agenda.
“There are going to be questions about it,” he said after seeing the item Thursday.
He maintained, as other commissioners have, that the city need not designate all of downtown as a “slum” for the bonding project but only the block containing the Municipal Building.
Heated debate ensued last month after City Administrator Fred Russell and special city counsel Jim Plunkett revealed the proposal as part of plans to fund $26.5 million of a $40 million renovation of the Municipal Building using tax-exempt bonds available under Georgia redevelopment laws for blighted areas.
Another item previously dismissed by the commission returns for committee review Monday.
Augusta Riverfront LLC, headed by Paul Simon and sharing management with Augusta Chronicle owner Morris Communications Co., wants to install a centralized cooling system to serve the city-owned Augusta Convention Center and Conference Center and the adjoining Marriott hotel, which runs all three facilities.
via ‘Slum’ designation, smoking, cooling tower return to city committees | The Augusta Chronicle.
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