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THE NEWLY-RENOVATED 5TH STREET PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE and the city of Augusta has been recognized by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) with the 2023 Georgia County Excellence Award. The historic bridge is a recreational walkway for pedestrians that crosses the Savannah River into South Carolina. Amber (L) and Trey Hawthorne (R) take in the view of the river. See p.6 Photo by Vincent Hobbs

NEIGHBORHOODS LANEY-WALKER HISTORICAL DISTRICT

The LENOX

The Ga. Department of Community Affairs selects The Lenox, a new 64 unit affordable rental community, for a 4% Housing Tax Credit/Private Activity Bonds award

AUGUSTA

Augusta residents who earn up to 80% of area median income will soon have access to a brand new high-quality housing option called The Lenox to be built on Laney Walker Boulevard. The Lenox is named after the former Lenox Theater, a beloved 1921 historic venue that was damaged by fire and eventually torn down in the late 1970s. The Lenox is made possible due to collaboration between the City of Augusta, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), an Athens-based nonprofit Parallel Housing, Inc., and an affordable housing private developer

Woda Cooper Companies, Inc.

“As Augusta continues to deliver on its stated goals of housing access, neighborhood vitality, and improved quality of life, the Office of the Administrator promotes and supports The Lenox project. True to Augusta’s reputation as a destination city for families, The Lenox project represents the best of Augusta’s bright future. We thank all our project partners for their efforts in what will be a transformational project for years to come,” said Takiyah Douse, Administrator, City of Augusta.

Primary funding for the $16 million property will be provided through

an allocation of federal and state LowIncome Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), combined with Private Activity Bonds, allocated by DCA. The Lenox was the highest scoring property in the state in DCA’s 2022 4% LIHTC application round.

A critical component in securing the funding from DCA was the commitment by the City of Augusta to provide a $640,000 HOME loan to the project. The Augusta Georgia Land Bank Authority is providing a long-term lease at nominal value. The Augusta Housing Authority (AHA) has issued a bond inducement resolution as well as a commitment letter to provide 20 Project Based Vouchers. Furthermore, United Bank, a designated CDFI, is providing a Community Housing Soft Loan of $440,000.

“Creating affordable housing for Augusta Richmond-County is one of my top priorities. The Lenox addresses this need and will contribute to the continued revitalization of the downtown corridor. I’m proud of the

organizations and departments that contributed to this project and worked together to move our community forward and to make Augusta a better place to live for all of its citizens” said Mayor Garnett Johnson.

“Augusta Housing and Community Development (HCD) is forever indebted to our Mayor (Johnson), Commission and Office of Administration for their approval and willingness to allow affordable housing mixed use development that is meant to be purposeful, impactful, and transformational,” said Hawthorne Welcher, Director, HCD.

“It is because of The Lenox that main street development takes on a new meaning at the right moment for the community we serve,” Welcher noted.

“We will remain true to our revitalization efforts, we will work to continue affordable housing development, and we will surely work to use this development as an economic instrument

An artist’s perspective rendering of 1016 Laney-Walker Blvd, the future site of The Lenox Project.

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and stimulant for community gain. The rebirth of Laney Walker Blvd is upon us and shall be cherished and felt forever.”

The Lenox, developed by Parallel Housing and Woda Cooper Companies, will be comprised of a new 4-story building with an elevator. It will provide 64 units, with 25 one-bedroom and 39 two-bedroom apartments, including several units with features for those with disabilities, plus an array of amenities such as a rooftop terrace and fitness center. Approximately 4,000 square foot of commercial space will be located on the first floor facing Laney-Walker Boulevard.

The Lenox will help address the city ’s significant need for affordable housing and positively transform a vacant property. It is expected to catapult economic development through new commercial space, new neighborhood business growth, related jobs, and commerce generated from an increased number of residents living in the neighborhood. It will build on Augusta’s transition to make this corridor a thriving midtown.

Green building practices and materials will result in a highly energy efficient building and low monthly utility consumption for the 64 resident households. The Lenox is expected to be certified LEED for Homes Gold. It will have energy-efficient materials including high efficiency windows, doors, and mechanical systems. All units will have individually controlled high efficiency HVAC systems; ENERGY STAR kitchen appliances, including dishwashers; and washer/dryer hookups in the units.

A multipurpose community room with kitchenette will provide a space for resident social gatherings. There will be an onsite management/leasing office, laundry facility, computer room, and fitness center. Outdoor amenities include the rooftop terrace offering views of historic downtown Augusta.

“The Lenox will provide affordable housing greatly needed for Augusta’s workforce and help further the city’s historic revitalization on a main thoroughfare,” said Denis Blackburne, Senior Vice President, Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. “Its location is convenient for accessing shopping, professional services, and many jobs in the immediate area. The new commercial space will offer area business owners a new facility in a high impact location.”

Blackburne added: “The success of this development has been the collaboration with Augusta’s Housing & Community Development Department (HCD) as it has been able to coordinate the full support from the City of Augusta, the Augusta Georgia Land Bank Authority, and the Augusta Housing Authority.”

Parallel Housing’s Gregg Bayard emphasized the new development’s green features. “We will be developing this property to LEED for Homes standards aiming to achieve a Gold Certification. This will greatly benefit the residents through reduced energy consumption and better indoor air quality,” stated Bayard.

Woda Cooper affiliate Woda Construction, Inc. will be general contractor, and affiliate Woda Management & Real Estate, LLC, will manage the property once it is built. For more information about The Lenox, write info@wodagroup.com or call 614-396-3200.About Parallel Housing, Inc.

Parallel Housing, Inc. is a thriving nonprofit developer based in Athens, GA, and dedicated to the development of sustainable, affordable multifamily housing for seniors and

families. Founded in 2002, Parallel Housing currently has nine properties in Georgia and one in Kentucky, plus seven in development in several states.

About Woda Cooper Companies, Inc.

Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. and its affiliates specialize in the development, design, construction, and management of high-quality affordable multi-family communities, senior communities, and single-family homes. The company was founded in 1990 and now has operations in 17 states

and a portfolio of approximately 350 communities and 15,000 units. Green building is standard with certifications including Passive House, Zero Energy Ready Homes, LEED, Enterprise Green, EarthCraft, and ENERGY STAR. Woda Cooper Companies has offices in Savannah, GA; Indianapolis, IN; Shelbyville, KY; Queenstown, MD; Mackinaw City, MI; Columbus, OH; and Norfolk, VA. Affordable Housing Finance magazine ranked Woda Cooper Companies 10th in nation among Developers and 17th among Owners in 2022.

“. . . we will surely work to use this development as an economic instrument and stimulant for community gain. The rebirth of Laney Walker Blvd is upon us and shall be cherished and felt forever.” — Hawthorne Welcher, Director, HCD

THE VACANT LOT AT THE CORNER OF 11TH STREET AND LANEY-WALKER BLVD is the future home of an affordable housing complex in the Golden Blocks neighborhood. The four-story project will include 64 housing units with first-floor commercial space. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

An artist’s perspective rendering of 1016 Laney-Walker Blvd at 11th Street, the future site of The Lenox Project.

Augusta’s IT Dept teams up with Brown Girls Code to host the 2023 Cyber & Drone Summer Camp

AUGUSTA

Augusta’s Information Technology Department has partnered with Brown Girls Code to host the 2023 Cyber & Drone Summer Camp.

As part of camp programming, students will explore cybersecurity, computer programming and drone technology through hands-on activities using a culturally responsive approach in STEM. Students will also learn more about careers in STEM and engage in several mindfulness practices that can be applied beyond camp. Each camp session will feature guest presenters from cyber backgrounds.

The camp consists of three sessions, with each session lasting four days. View a complete schedule below:

• Session 1 - June 13, 2023 - June 16, 2023

• Session 2 - June 27, 2023 - June 30, 2023

• Session 3 - July 11, 2023 - July 14, 2023

The camp hours are from 9am –4pm EST (Tuesday - Friday). Early drop-off will begin at 8:00am EST and late pick-up will end at 5:30pm EST.

The camp is open to rising 6th, 7th and 8th graders who reside in Richmond County. Space is limited to twenty-four (24) total students per class. Students will be selected by a random process. The camp is free to attend. T-shirts and snacks will also be provided for the students at no cost. However, students must bring their own lunch.

Registration is open from May 2, 2023 to May 19, 2023. Parents will be notified by May 26, 2023, if their child was randomly selected.

To register and for more information, visit https://www.augustaga. gov/DroneCamp2023. Media interested in covering this event should contact Danielle Harris, Public Information Manager, at 706-3125511.

Augusta set to host annual community engagement forum

AUGUSTA

Augusta, Georgia is hosting a community engagement forum for citizens to learn about the services offered by the city and give feedback on the municipality’s proposed budget.

The second annual Augusta on Display event will be held on June 3, 2023, from 9am-12pm at the Julian Smith Casino, 2200 Broad Street. During the threehour trade show style event, the public will have a chance to meet their elected officials, have one-on-one conversations with representatives from city departments, and share their opinions

Memorandum of Understanding with Augusta University for internship program

The Augusta Commission has approved a memorandum of understanding between Augusta Utilities and Augusta University to launch an internship program centered around Smart City sensors and programs. Through this partnership, funding will be allocated to support the commitment of full-time faculty and staff for about three months per year, in addition to approximately five full-time students and materials. The university will provide the facilities and specialized knowledge of electronics needed to prototype rapidly.

on how the city should spend tax dollars.

Additionally, there will be bouncing houses for children, family-friendly entertainment, and attendees will have the opportunity to tour a variety of government vehicles.

Augusta’s modernized 5th Street Pedestrian Bridge wins state award

The Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) has named Augusta, Georgia a recipient of a 2023 Georgia County Excellence Award for the 5th Street Pedestrian Bridge. The organization recognized that the City’s work to modernize the historic bridge into a stunning 1,201-foot-long walkway across the Savannah River adds value, offering residents a new recreational space as the structure continues

connecting pedestrians with the community.

Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Stacy Pulliam, Commissioner Tony Lewis, and Interim Administrator Douse accepted the award on behalf of Augusta, Georgia during the ACCG Awards Breakfast on Saturday, April 29, 2023, as part of the organization’s annual conference in Chatham County.

The City applauds Dr. Hameed Malik, Director of Augusta, Georgia’s Department

of Engineering and Environmental Services, and the community partners involved in this project’s planning and design process. These local organizations include the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, Augusta Tomorrow, Dickinson Architects, the Downtown Development Authority, and the Greater Augusta Arts Council.

Can Augusta become the next Music City?

BY CRAIG BOOGIE

Augusta, Georgia has a rich and complex history spanning centuries, from being the birthplace of James Brown, The Godfather of Soul, to its involvement in the American Revolution. However, when it comes to music, Augusta has played a somewhat muted role, despite producing well-known artists such as Lady Antebellum and Jessye Norman. While cities like Nashville and Austin may immediately come to mind as music hubs, Augusta has the potential to claim a place among them.

In this , we’ll explore the factors that contribute to a city becoming a music hub and how Augusta can work towards filling that role. With the recent

announcement of plans for a new music academy and studio space, as well as ongoing efforts to redevelop the downtown area, Augusta’s music scene could be on the cusp of a revival. We’ll analyze whether Augusta has the necessary infrastructure, resources, and community support to become a destination for musicians and music enthusiasts alike.

We’ll also take an historical perspective, examining:

1. Analyze the current music scene in Augusta

In order to assess whether Augusta, Georgia has the potential to become a music city, it is necessary to analyze the current music scene in the region. Augusta has a rich musical heri-

tage that dates back to the early 20th century, with notable figures such as James Brown and Jessye Norman hailing from the area. Currently, Augusta offers a variety of music genres, including rock, country, blues, and jazz, with multiple live music venues hosting events throughout the year. However, the city’s music scene has not yet achieved a national reputation comparable to other music cities like Nashville or Austin. Further analysis is required to determine the potential for growth and development of the music industry in Augusta.

2. Examine the impact of local music venues

In order to determine whether Augusta, Georgia has the potential to become a music city, it is

Here is what must be done

important to examine the impact of local music venues. Local music venues play a crucial role in nurturing emerging talent, fostering relationships between artists and their audiences, and creating an ecosystem in which the music industry can thrive. Through concerts and events, local music venues bring people together, creating a sense of community and contributing to the cultural vibrancy of the city. By providing opportunities for live music performances, local music venues also drive tourism and economic growth, attracting music fans and industry professionals from around the world. Overall, the impact of local music venues is a key factor that can be analyzed when assessing whether Augusta, Georgia has the

potential to become a music city.

3. Research potential opportunities to promote music in the city

When considering the potential for Augusta, Georgia to become a music city, it is important to research potential opportunities for promoting music within the city. This includes identifying potential venues, festivals, and events that can showcase local artists and attract both residents and tourists. In addition, partnerships with local businesses and organizations can help to support the music community and increase exposure for aspiring musicians. By identifying and leveraging these opportunities, Augusta can estab -

lish itself as a destination for music lovers and a hub for the local music scene. In conclusion, Augusta, Georgia certainly has the potential to become a Music City. With a rich musical history and a growing community of talented artists and musicians, Augusta can leverage these resources to establish itself as a hub for music production and performance. However, it will require sustained efforts from local government, community leaders, and musicians themselves to build infrastructure, create opportunities, and showcase local talent. With dedication and collaboration, Augusta can harness the power of music to boost its economy, promote its cultural heritage, and enrich the lives of its citizens.

The newly-renovated 5th Street Pedestrian Bridge and the city of Augusta has been recognized by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) with the 2023 Georgia County Excellence Award. The historic bridge is a recreational walkway for pedestrians that crosses the Savannah River into South Carolina. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Latrell’s Easy Banana Pudding

Live your best life! That is my motto. My name is Menia L. Chester, I am a chef and owner of Desserts by Latrell and Southern Jazz and Sweets. My goal is to teach you about food, finance, anything about the home, gardening, and healthy living.

The month of May brings a couple of nationally recognized holidays and that means we get to use the grill, prepare delicious side dishes, and make special desserts. I would like to share with you one of my favorite dessert recipes…banana pudding! There are many versions of this recipe that do not involve cooking the pudding but this one uses a cooked pudding.

Special note: Make sure that your bananas are not too ripe or they will turn dark in your pudding. You can also garnish the completed dish with strawberries or blueberries!

LATRELL’S BANANA PUDDING

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup flour

3 eggs, separated

2 ¼ cups milk

1 ½ tsp. clear vanilla

1 box of mini vanilla wafers

6 bananas, sliced

DIRECTIONS

Mix sugar and flour in the top of double boiler. Blend in 3 egg yolks

and milk. Cook, uncovered, over boiling water 10 to 12 min. or until thickened, be sure to stir constantly. Remove from heat. Add vanilla, mix well. Reserve a few vanilla wafers for garnish. Spread a small amount of custard onto bottom of 1-1/2-qt baking dish or bowl. Add a layer of wafers then a layer of bananas, then a layer of custard repeat until the custard in used up ending with a layer of wafers. Refrigerate and serve cold with whipped cream.

Enjoy!

visit

Website: www.southernjazzandsweets.com

I’ve been doing some research on food policy councils - what they are and what benefits they can bring to a community.

In December of 2022, I began hosting a series of food access stakeholders meetups in Augusta GA… to bring all the “players” in the “food game” to the table, with the goal that we devise solutions together. In this context, players refers to all who have a connection with food - those who grow it, transport it, aggregate it, distribute it,

WHAT IS A FOOD POLICY COUNCIL?

donate it… you know the drill.

These monthly meetings continue to spark creative collaborations and program developments. However, the motivation for calling everyone together was to put small and mid-sized farmers at the forefront of the conversation and ensure that Black farmers were at the table from beginningand not as an afterthought like so many of these initiatives tend to lean.

Senator Harold Jones II has been an inte-

A food policy council is a body of citizens, governments, and organizations working together to identify, research, monitor, and advocate for food system policies. These councils work to assess the current state of their local food system and create policies that promote food security, healthy eating, fair labor practices, environmental sustainability, and other food-based issues.

WHY IS A FOOD POLICY COUNCIL IMPORTANT?

A food policy council is important because it brings together stakeholders with diverse backgrounds to identify, assess and solve food-related problems within a community. A food policy council can work to ensure that people have access to nutritious, affordable and safe food, as well as food-related educational opportunities, research and policy development. It can also serve as a forum to identify areas of collaboration on food policy and to effectively implement food-related initiatives.

HOW DOES A FOOD POLICY COUNCIL WORK?

A food policy council works by forming members from diverse backgrounds that have a stake in the food system, such as government officials, health care professionals, farmers, and members of concerned communities. The council works together to develop and advocate

gral voice in leading the State of Georgia toward addressing food insecurity, legacy farmer Loretta Adderson has been a longtime champion for farmers of color, and Carolyn Henry (LogicPoint Consulting) has been guiding this current process of asset mapping and process improvement.

I asked my intern to pull together a few resources, which are listed below. Please join the conversation at growingaugusta. mn.co.

for policies that can improve the local food system. They may consult with local and state governments, create policy proposals, and facilitate public education and dialogue about food-related issues. They may also monitor existing food policy initiatives and make recommendations to local elected officials, and lobby for particular policies or regulations. Ultimately, the goal of a food policy council is to promote sustainable and equitable food systems that benefit all stakeholders.

HOW TO FORM A FOOD POLICY COUNCIL

1. Establish a Steering Committee: The first and most important step in forming a Food Policy Council is to create a steering committee. This is a group of stakeholders who will be involved in the process of forming the council and guiding its work. The steering committee should include food system leaders from the public, private and civic sectors, including representatives from the local agricultural and food business communities, health care professionals, and representatives from advocacy organizations, faith-based institutions, non-profit organizations and government agencies.

Continued on next page

CONTINUED FROM P8

2. Develop the Council’s Mission: Once the steering committee is formed, the next step is to develop the council’s mission. The mission should clearly state why the council has come together and what it hopes to accomplish.

3. Adopt Bylaws to Govern the Council’s Work: The council will need to adopt bylaws to govern its activities. This document should include provisions outlining the council’s structure, such as the composition of the steering committee and the number of members, as well as the procedures for meetings and decision-making processes.

4. Identify and Define the Council’s Focus Areas: Once the mission and governing documents are in place, the council can begin to identify and define its focus areas. The council should consider the current state of the local food system and any issues that need to be addressed, such as access to healthy food, school food, food security, urban agriculture, and food waste.

5. Establish a Process for Public Engagement: It is important for the council to create a process for engaging the public in its work. The council should consider how to actively seek public input, solicit feedback from different stakeholders, and incorporate the public’s needs and concerns into the policy decisions that it makes.

6. Develop a Plan of Action: Finally, the council should develop a plan of action that outlines how it will address the issues that it has identified. The plan should include specific goals and timelines, as well as concrete strategies for how the council will pursue its mission.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

1. Community Food Strategies is a website that focuses on supporting the efforts of local and regional food policy councils, with resources on how to establish, operate and evaluate a council. https://communityfoodstrategies.org/toolkit/

2. The PolicyLink Equitable Development Toolkit has a section on food policy councils and provides guidance and resources for establishing a council for policy change. https://www.policylink.org/equitable-development-toolkit/food-policy-councils

3. The Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future provides guidance on implementing and sustaining effective food policy councils with many resources to download for free. https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/center-for-a-livable-future/projects/food-policy-network/

4. The Urban Institute provides a publication called “Building Partnerships and Strategies to Improve Food

Access and Health for Children and Families” which outlines food policy council strategies to assist decision-makers in developing effective policies. https://www.urban.org/ research/publication/building-partnerships-and-strategies-improvefood-access-and-health-childrenand-families

5. The Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems has many resources for food policy councils and provides research on food systems, policy development, and the role of food in community development. https://www.canr. msu.edu/foodsystems/food-policy-council-resources

6. The Food & Environment Reporting Network has an extensive archive of articles on food pol-

icy councils, including their role in promoting food system change and implementing fair food policies. https://thefern.org/tag/food-policy-councils/

7. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition provides an extensive list of resources and reports on food policy councils - including reports on dozens of councils around the US. http://sustainableagriculture.net/food-policy/

8. The Center for Agriculture and Food Systems at Vermont Law School provides a toolkit aimed at communal food governance initiatives. It provides guidance to forming food policy councils as a mechanism for regulating and promoting sustainable food systems. https://www.vermontlaw.edu/aca -

demics/centers-and-programs/center-for-agriculture-and-food-systems/resources/toolkits/community-food-governance

9. The Food Policy Networks project has plenty of resources on food policy councils, including an extensive directory of food policy councils across the United States. https://foodpolicynetworks.org/

10. The Food Tank website has numerous articles and reports on various issues in food policy along with guidance on how to approach policy change at various levels of governance. https://foodtank.com/ sector/food-policy/

A. Walker-Thomas, Intern Growing Augusta: Arts, Agriculture, & Agency

Augusta Mini Theatre Alum, KEYONICE BURTS, who, after returning to perform in “The Man, The Message, The Music (A Tribute to the Godfather of Soul,” was cast in “Augusta’s Black Caddies-Men on the Bag.”

Laney Museum Summer Art Camp open for registration

The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History is pleased to announce that registration is open for the 2023 Summer Art Camp. This year’s exciting Camp features local artists Salonika and Baruti and will include animals from the Georgia Ecology Lab and a sign language class by educator Sara Cooks!

There are two separate Camp weeks available:

June 12-16 for Elementary School Age Children

June 19-23 for Middle School Age Children

Both camps begin daily at 9:00 a.m. and run through 12:30 p.m. with FREE lunch provided!

Space is limited, so please register today by calling the Museum at 706724-3576. Visit the Museum website at www.lucycraftlaneymuseum.com

We are located at 1116 Phillips Street, Augusta, GA 30901

In May conference and meeting

to

economic impact on Augusta

AUGUSTA

Destination Augusta is pleased to announce that May meetings, conventions, and events will bring an estimated 3,545 attendees to Augusta and generate at least $1,432,655 in total estimated economic impact (EEI) for the city.

A portion of the total number of May meetings and conventions in Augusta’s River Region are listed in the chart below for more event detail. These are groups Destination Augusta has worked with at some point in the site selection and/or planning phase. Groups meeting in Augusta’s River Region, that have available websites, have been hyperlinked for those who would like additional information.

The Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson presents Bringing Up a President: Tea with Mrs. Wilson

The Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson, in partnership with Destination Augusta’s Authentic Augusta Experience, has developed a program to immerse you, make you a part of the experience, and leave you with lifelong memories of your visit to Augusta.

Discover how Woodrow Wilson’s boyhood in Augusta shaped the character and the life of the 28th President of the United States. You will meet Mrs. Wilson who will recount Tommy’s experiences growing up in Augusta and how the lessons of his youth formed his character. You will also have tea with Mrs. Lamar, stepmoth-

er of Joseph R. Lamar, who served as a Supreme Court Justice and was Wilson’s childhood best friend.

This interactive educational experience allows visitors to engage with both presenters, as well as leave with tangible keepsakes and fond memories. This special tour will be offered for $25 per person. Group reservations are by appointment only. Public tours (beginning in June) will be offered the first Friday at 4:30pm and first Saturday at noon. Tickets may be purchased by calling 706.724.0436 or via https://wilsonboyhoodhome.org/visit/ special-events/bringing-up-a-president/.

Destination Augusta believes recruiting and hosting these events plays a critical role in sustaining the nearly 26,000 jobs that are part of the Leisure and Hospitality Industry, the fourth largest employment sector in the metro area.

Total EEI is calculated based on research commissioned by both Explore Georgia and Destinations International in conjunction with globally recognized research vendors, the U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics. Tourism Economics, a partner company of Oxford Economics, created the industry standard in event economic impact analysis using localized metrics that are updated annually.

attendees

have $1.4M

Congratulations to Augusta Mini Theatre Drama student MONAE BURNS on being named Valedictorian of the Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School for 20222023

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