The Augusta Economic Development must have sent out a casting call for an actor to play the part of a serious investor in the grand movie known as the “The Regency Mall Saga.”
A fine worthy actor with several well known and credible rolls to his credits answered the call. Malik Yoba is a triple-threat actor with appearances in stage, television and big screen productions. Credits include “Cool Runnings,” “Empire,” as well as starring role in the television drama, “New York Undercover.”
Yoba has an investment and development group known as Yoba Development. From a story in The Augusta Press written by Scott Hudson, it is unclear exactly when the company came into existence.
Yoba’s group states they were founded in 2017. New York state records show Yoba Development was founded in November 2022 as a non-profit.
The company has claims of development involvements in projects although none can be verified.
It is stated that Yoba would like to partner with the Cardinale group and develop the Regency Mall property into retail and apartments and also develop the old Sears Call Center addition into the Georgia School of Innovation and Classics, GSIC.
For those that are in wonder of where the Sears Call center was located, it is beside where the Cinema Complex was located. Where the Augusta Transit system is now.
It seems that whenever anyone in Augusta wants to shine the spotlight on themselves, just say you’re going to do something about developing the old Regency Mall site. If that doesn’t get you elected Mayor of Augusta, just lay low for a few months, resurrect the dialogue and come at it again.
This time use a little different tactic. Gather your buddies and bring in an actor that obviously has no idea of the past shenanigans concerning the Regency Mall. Give him the song and dance routine of how great it’s going to be.
All actors love a good song and dance routine.
Book him at the Augusta Technical College to lecture and promote his video of, ” The Real Estate Mixtape Vol. 1.” Sell tickets at the unusual price of $158.61.
How did they come up with that odd number? Just wondering. None-the-less, Yoba will be there in August between the 6th and 8th.
Be sure to get your tickets early. You don’t want to take a chance they will sell out. If you want a great deal just mention Steven Kendrick’s name the way you could for the Lake Olmstead concert tickets at the stadium during Masters week.
Now Mr. Yoba seems to be a person that wants to do good deeds and developments. According to Celebrity NetWorth, Yoba has a net worth from his career of acting of between $3 and $4 million dollars.
He would be better off spending his money and producing a short film entitled, “Run Malik Run” and starring in it rather than embracing the tar-baby that is that old mall property.
Cal Wray, executive director of the Augusta Economic Development, was delegated to be the chauffeur during Yoba’s visit. Cal Ray states his only involvement, according to the article by Scott Hudson, was to pick Yoba up at the hotel, drive him to the Regency Mall location and then to the airport.
What was interesting was the photo that was taken. There was Steven Kendrick, Shawn Edwards, director of the Land Bank Authority, Malik Yoba and several other unnamed people. The obvious person that was missing was the tax commissioner Chris Johnson.
Everyone in town that’s in the know, knows that Kendrick, Edwards and Johnson are as tight as a size 12 foot in a size nine shoe. So that leaves one to ask, where was Johnson?
For those that are new in town and don’t know the history of the Regency Mall, research it. You will find it quite an interesting tale of wrong that it’s to the point of unbelievable.
The main site where the mall itself sat is 12.15 acres of very prime real estate. It happens to be set in the dead center of Augusta-Richmond county. It is at the crossroads of two major state highways and the I-520 connector to I-20.
According to the tax assessor’s records, the property’s fair market value is listed as $1,174,000 and assessed value of $360,000.
In 2021, the property was taxed $10,962.44.
In 2022, the property was taxed $11,283.92.
In 2023, the supposed tax will be around $10,189.52.
The storm water fee is stated to be around $2,065.92, if it is paid at all. Remember the parking lot was torn up and turned into a mud bowl to avoid paying the fee.
There are private homes in Augusta that pay a yearly property tax higher than the Regency Mall property. Small family owned hotel/motels in Augusta that sits on less than an acre of land pays more than that.
What will tax appraiser Scott Roundtree say the explanation for this would be?
Many times while I sit in seat number nine on the front row of the commission chambers, my seat neighbor will be past commissioner Moses Todd. He and I will have conversations about several of the topics surrounding the political climate and of the anointed, excuse me, I meant to say the elected.
I think Augusta needs a certified arborist on staff. Mr Todd doesn’t. He thinks the UGA extension program can provide the needed help.
Todd thinks Augusta should have a water park. He did manage to get $5 million dollars for one on the last SPLOST. He would like another $5 million for it on the next SPLOST.
I don’t believe Augusta should invest in a waterpark. Augusta can’t even keep the fountains on Broad Street operating or the water fountains on Riverwalk and the Freedom Bridge working.
Moses Todd thinks the Regency Mall site would be ideal for an inland port, being so close to the Savannah Port. I think that’s a bad deal. Raleigh, N.C. already has an inland port.
The harbor ports will not have an inland port within a minimum mileage to the harbor port because of wasted cost.
Yes, Moses and I can have some humdinger conversations.
While we do agree sometimes, I will say it is indeed a rarity when we do. I enjoy those conversations. They are always polite and never ugly. There is respect on both sides.
Moses does truly love Augusta and wants what is best for Augusta, the same as myself. We both just have different ways to go about it.
Moses was addressing the commission with his five minutes of allotted time and was again talking about the city cemeteries.
Of course, the commissioners have learned to just not listen and tune out, all the while pretending to be reading the agendas on the days list or texting each other on their cell phones and generally wishing the speaker would just shut up.
Todd addressed the brick wall around Magnolia Cemetery that has been damaged and the centuries old bricks still lay upon the ground while nothing has been done.
This led to the Parks and Recreation Director Maurice McDowell to address the commission as to the reasons why nothing has been done.
They are assessing the situation and the cost, McDowell claims. After all, the brick fence was not well constructed in the beginning. Even though the fence has stood for over 200 years.
To merely repair the damaged part would be costly and the entire wall needs to be replaced. McDowell’s slate of experts have to determine what would be most cost effective.
Now, if that wasn’t fodder for laughter this next part was, and folks, I couldn’t help myself. I did laugh out loud. McDowell stated something about having to be good stewards of the taxpayer’s money.
Mr. McDowell, if truly you care about the taxpayer’s money, you certainly have not shown it. You receive a high salary and benefits that most people can only hope that they could receive. All the while, outside companies have to be hired to direct the movements and directives of your department.
In attendance for the last commission meeting were about 25 homeowners from the Wheeler Road area that are opposed to the 24-hour, large Parker’s Kitchen fuel, convenient and full restaurant so near their homes. The business would sit at the intersection and entrance to the Doctor’s Hospital.
That location is very busy with high traffic count at all times. The concern is very real and the citizens have real reasons and concerns for the business to be denied a rezoning that would allow them to operate.
The residents called the Clerk’s Office to have two speakers placed on the delegation portion of the meeting so they could voice their concerns. They were told that they did not request to be heard before the cut off deadline.
One of the citizens was told that there was a concern with the traffic study. It had not been totally completed. So the item would not be on the agenda but moved to the next full commission meeting.
Now, here is where another problem lies. The Engineering Department knew the study had not been completed. Why then was it even on the agenda? Why wasn’t the neighborhood association informed that it was not moving forward during the meeting? Why were the taxpaying citizens kept in the dark?
Everyone should know that answer.
People, there are more mysterious and clandestine behaviors to be brought to light in the near future.
Folks, as always, you just can’t make this stuff up.
