A newly compiled report on Augusta’s active leases reveals a complex web of long-term agreements involving city facilities, parks and government operations. Many of the leases cost just $1 per year, while others involve hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual rent.
The administrator’s office is expected to present the report at a Tuesday meeting in an effort to improve “management and transparency.” The city also has considered divesting some of its lesser-used parks and facilities.
Augusta continues to lease numerous public properties to nonprofit organizations for nominal fees, often just $1 per year, in exchange for services. A few of these include:
- Augusta Arsenal Soccer Club – 3824 Maddox Road for $1 per year through 2036. Augusta contributes $50,000 annually for maintenance.
- Augusta Canal Authority – Lake Olmstead Trailhead through 2039 at no cost; authority maintains trailhead.
- Augusta Rowing Club – 101 Riverfront Drive, lease through 2036 for $1 per year; club responsible for utilities and repairs.
- Augusta Land Bank Authority – Augusta Municipal Golf Course and First Tee, leased through 2074 for $1 per year.
- Charles Thompson & Thompson Farms – 29-acre farm leased through 2029 for $250 annually.
- Columbia County – Savannah Rapids Pavilion, leased through 2054 for $1.
- CSRA Humane Society – 425 Wood Street, month-to-month lease for $1.
- Downtown Development Authority – 600 Broad St., leased through 2033 for $1 annually.
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources – Lock & Dam Road boat ramp, leased through 2047 for no rent.
- Imagination Station Children’s Museum – Hickman Park building, annual renewal for $1.
- Savannah Riverkeeper – Prep Phillips Drive, lease through 2114 for $1.
The city also leases property needed for its own operations, at costs ranging from symbolic to substantial. Some of these are:
- Delta Peachtree LLC – South Augusta Tag Office, $240,455.16 annually through 2029.
- Management, Analysis & Utilization (MAU) – UGA Extension offices, $4,106 annually through 2028 with 3% annual increase.
- Murray Real Estate – Probation lot, 324 Walton Way at $3,967 monthly on a month-to-month lease.
- Security Land & Development Corp. – West Augusta Tag Office, $40,549.56 annually through 2027.
- The Porter Co. – Juvenile Court, 985 Broad St., $285,192 annually through 2033.
- Yellow Pine & P-51 Properties – District Attorney’s offices in Truist Tower, $126,000 annually with 3% increase through 2033.
In addition to formal leases, Augusta maintains operating agreements with entities to manage parks and facilities, such as:
- Augusta Swim League uses the Augusta Aquatic Center for practices and competitions, paying $44,000 plus meet fees.
- Mach Academy operates youth tennis and educational programs at Fleming Tennis Center and Diamond Lakes Regional Park in an 80-20 revenue-sharing model.
- Augusta R/C Supercross, Inc. oversees operations at Bayvale Park for remote-control car racing.
