As 2023 comes to an end, The Augusta Press is looking back on all that happened throughout the CSRA. From issues with the Charles B. Webster Detention Center to the referendum for the James Brown Arena to Columbia County residents challenging books in the Evans Library, it’s been a busy year.
No. 1: Augusta detention center needs renovations
The biggest story of the year involved the many discussions about the condition Charles B. Webster Detention Center. On Oct. 4, Sheriff Richard Roundtree accepted a request by Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson to tour the Charles B. Webster Detention Center and discuss on-going problems at the facility. These problems include overcrowding, inmates attacking other inmates with shanks, setting fire to mattresses and many fights. The Augusta Commission had an opportunity to renovate the Charles B. Webster Detention Center in 2020, but opted instead to fund quality-of-life projects and build a prison. However, in 2023 Augusta Commissioners agreed to add on to the county jail. The city commission approved borrowing $37.5 million to add 200 beds to Charles Webster Detention Center, with the city making interest payments from the general fund until voters approve a sales tax to cover the debt.
No. 2: Fort Gordon becomes Fort Eisenhower
This year marked a big change for the area as Fort Gordon became Fort Eisenhower on Oct. 27. redesignation in honor of Gen. Dwight David Eisenhower, the 34th U.S. president, marked the Naming Commission’s final step in its mission, Retired Navy Adm. Michelle Howard said at a brief public discussion. Howard called the ninth and final redesignation of U.S. Army bases named for Confederate generals, the “cherry on top” of the commission’s efforts. Some family members of Gen. Eisenhower were in attendance of the ceremony.
No. 3: Questions arise about Augusta Land Bank Authority
The purchase of the Weed School by Augusta, Georgia Land Bank Authority for $1 million over the appraised value. The abandoned Weed School, located at 2403 Mt. Auburn St., was sold to the city by way of the Augusta Housing and Community Development Department for $1.3 million, and the property was then transferred over to the Augusta Land Bank. However, according to the latest appraisal, the property is only worth $255,000. There were also questions about money given to the Augusta Land Bank being spent on travel, entertainment and even grocery shopping. The head of Augusta’s embattled land bank authority, Shawn Edwards, offered explanations for a Jamaica trip, large cash advances and other questionable spending, including a trip to Jamaica, at an Augusta, Georgia Land Bank Authority meeting in December.
No. 4: AU students displaced for Fall 2023 due to dorm flooding
On March 27 there was flooding at Oak Hall, which affected six students who were back in the dorm later on March 28. Then, on April 27, Augusta University’s Oak Hall dorm flooded on the fifth level due to a fire suppression sprinkler being damaged during routine maintenance. The 20-25 students who were housed in the affected rooms were relocated to other rooms as maintenance crews closely monitored the building to minimize further impact. However, repairs due to the March flooding were not completed in time for the Fall 2023 semester, which meant 400 students had to be relocated to hotels and apartment complexes. Video shows that the damage was caused by students rough-housing in the dorm.
No. 5: James Brown Arena to get new look following vote
The James Brown Arena will be getting a new look thanks to Augusta voters approving a referendum in November to construction a 10,500-seat venue to replace the 45-year-old James Brown Arena. With all precincts fully reporting, arena supporters outpolled opponents two to one. Sixty-six percent or 10,653 voted in favor to 34% or 5,474 against. Prior to the vote, many local businesses voice their support for the referendum.
No. 6: Citizens voice concerns about books in Columbia County Library
Throughout the year, several citizens expressed concern about the placement of books, including LGBTQ+ books, in the Columbia County Library in Evans. These citizens have spoken to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners asking them to move the books to different sections of the library, with one person claiming they are “propaganda” and didn’t need to be in the children’s section. Citizens have also asked for multiple books to be put up for reconsideration at multiple Columbia County Library Board meetings. However, Columbia County Manager Scott Johnson spoke to the library board in November and reminded them that the board is an advisory board and can only make recommendations, not decisions. He added that “content-based regulations violate the First Amendment.”
No. 7: Businesses are booming throughout the CSRA
The year 2023 was a busy one for businesses throughout the CSRA. A long awaited Chick-fil-A opened off exit 5 in North Augusta. The Munchies Lab closed its location on Walton Way, but announced plans to open in Columbia County with a new concept. A new barbecue joint, Jim ‘N Nicks, opened on Wheeler Road. Coffee shops in the CSRA are booming with Rooted announcing its expansion, Goat Kick Coffee Company opening a second location, Ubora Coffee Roasters opened a location on Belair Road and Relic Coffee opening in Summerville to name a few. Champions Retreat Golf Club was sold and The Practice Club at Jones Creek opened. Dirty Dough, which sells large, stuffed cookies, opened. Retro City Arcade, which features old-school arcade games, opened in Columbia County.
No. 8: GHSA approves NIL opportunities
The Georgia High School Association voted to approve a bylaw that allows high school athletes in the state to profit from name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities. The bylaw amendment was approved by a 65-10 margin. This means that each individual GHSA athlete owns his or her own name, image and likeness, but that any form of compensation received through NIL contracts or agreements cannot infringe upon any intellectual property of the GHSA or its member schools.
No. 9: Columbia County Board of Elections votes to use EagleAI program
The Columbia County Board of Elections voted in December to move forward with using the EagleAI program after months of discussion. The elections office would be a beta tester for EagleAI, and the program would be used as a research tool in verifying if residents are still living in the county. With 2024 being a major election year, the elections office wasn’t sure said how much the program would be used, but if it works like Dr. Rick Richards, the creator, claims, it would be beneficial if the elections office received a large number of challenges. EagleAI NETwork takes information from multiple sources, including obituaries, the national change of address through the post office, Secretary of State data voter rolls, Secretary of State business data and more, and puts it all in one database.
No. 10: Sylvia Cooper retires
In April, Sylvia Cooper announced her retirement, again. Cooper began her news writing career at the Valdosta Daily Times, and throughout her career she has worked for the Rome News Tribune and The Augusta Chronicle. During her time at the Chronicle, she local politics but many other subjects as well, such as gardening. She also wrote a weekly column, mainly for the Chronicle on local politics for 15 of those years. Following her retirement, Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson proclaimed May 10 Sylvia Cooper Rogers Day in the city for her many contributions during her career in journalism. Following her retirement, Cooper will occasionally write a guest column for The Augusta Press.
