AUGUSTA, Ga. — Business owners in downtown Augusta gathered with city officials on Monday for an update on the ongoing $42 million revitalization project on Broad Street. The multi-phase construction effort, which is already underway in the first phase covering Milledge Road and 15th Street, is part of a broader effort to beautify the area.

The meeting came just weeks after a previous gathering in which local business owners voiced concerns about the project. After reviewing the plans, many owners felt the need to meet again, this time with city officials, to discuss potential issues and find solutions.

One of the most pressing concerns raised by business owners was the reduction in available parking. Initially, plans for the project called for a decrease in parking spaces from 750 to 480, a change that several owners argue could have a devastating impact on their businesses.

Penelope Ballas-Stewart, a fourth-generation owner of Luigi’s, expressed the collective frustration of many in the local business community. “We felt like there was a need to get together and get on the same page, have everyone express concerns,” she said. “Parking is critical to our success.”

To address these concerns, Mayor Garnett Johnson proposed a potential solution: converting certain streets, including Ellis and Reynolds, to one-way traffic in order to create additional side parking. This idea was met with some optimism by business owners, though questions remain about how it would work in practice.

In addition to parking, business owners expressed concerns about the sequencing of the various construction projects happening simultaneously in the area. With work still ongoing on Green Street and Telfair, they worry that the project on Broad Street may add further disruption if not properly staged.

“We’re going to do our due diligence to make sure that we’re going to finish a product before we move forward with an additional project,” Mayor Johnson reassured the group, acknowledging the need for coordination between the different phases of construction.

Lighting along streets such as Ellis, Reynolds, and Jones also emerged as an issue. Business owners voiced concerns that insufficient lighting could deter customers, especially in the evening hours. Mayor Johnson pledged to ensure that adequate lighting would be provided to maintain the safety and appeal of the area.

Despite the challenges, the meeting also focused on potential solutions. “It’s comforting to know that there’s at least communication now,” said Ballas-Stewart. “We’ve been told that plans are being revised, and some parking is being added back in. There’s just still the question as to what that exactly will entail.”

For many, like Ballas-Stewart, the future of downtown Augusta is about more than just business—it’s about tradition. “We just celebrated 75 years last year, and I would love to be down here another 75 years,” she said. “We don’t intend to break tradition and move out of downtown. We really hope that things can get worked out and the infrastructure will be here for us to remain.”

The discussions from the meeting are expected to continue at tomorrow’s committee session, with Mayor Johnson reiterating the importance of hearing all voices in the process as the project progresses.