Laney Walker/Bethlehem Community Planning Assistance Team December 19, 2013 Augusta, GA

Team Members Carson Bise, AICP, Bethesda, MD TischlerBise Julie Franklin, AICP, Greenville, SC Lawrence Group Charles Graves, Cincinnati, OH City of Cincinnati Thomas Bassett, Washington, DC American Planning Association

THE PROJECT Where are we?

Progress to Date Three and a half years is a short period of time Development activity in 4 project areas Heritage Pine Twigs Circle Holly Street Commons East Mill Village Leveraging nonprofit private partners House of Prayer Antioch Housing Authority National Awards

Challenges Financing/Lack of General Fund Support Private Investment Interest Regulatory/Zoning Staffing Structure Communication

Opportunities Available Financing Residents Community Partners Assembled Land Downtown Capacity Building

PROJECT FINANCING

Recap of Current Financing for LWB Long-term bond funding $38.5 million through 50-year hotel fee $750,000/year for planning, land acquisition and gap financing  $550,000 is pledged to debt, leaving $200,000 for discretionary spending Supplemented with HOME, NSP and CDBG No General Fund support to date

Progress Starting to show positives  $4.3 million increase in assessed value  Starting to generate revenue from property sales

Economic Evidence/Realities Laney Walker/Bethlehem is one of several target areas  Harrisburg  Turpin Hill  Olde Town  East Augusta City will have to adapt to new reality Cost of disinvestment Infill typically generates more revenue per acre

NEXT STEPS

Urban Core as Economic Development The Laney Walker/Bethlehem development has the potential to be the catalyst for further redevelopment of the City's downtown and riverfront areas.

Financing Fund Bridge Loan Allocate general funds to project Identify additional funding streams Strengthen local partnerships

Regulatory Streamline Development Permitting Process Review long-term zoning process

Management Structure Staffing Reduction of consultant hours Dedicated internal point person Transition to internal structure Development Role

Project Focus Heritage Pine Twiggs Circle Market Properties

FUNDING STRATEGY

Alternative Revenue Streams Local Initiatives Support Coalition (LISC) Georgia Employment Incentive Program (EIP) Regional Economic Business Assistance (REBA) Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund General Fund support/additional bonding New revenue sources (e.g. Insurance Premium Tax)

Laney Walker/Bethlehem Community Planning Assistance Team Carson Bise, AICP, Bethesda, MD TischlerBise Julie Franklin, AICP, Greenville, SC Lawrence Group Charles Graves, Cincinnati, OH City of Cincinnati Thomas Bassett, Washington, DC American Planning Association