Laney Walker/Bethlehem District

Two historic neighborhoods coming together to regenerate Augusta's urban core - a transformation few people ever imagined.

View video of Neighborhood Revitalization

We are Laney Walker/Bethlehem from Patty McIntosh on Vimeo.

This large-scale development has been the beneficiary of many awards. The most recent award is from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). In January 2012, this revitaliation effort was chosen by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) as one os only seven projects in the nation to receive design and implementation assistance to enhance the sustainability aspects of this development.

There are many initiatives being implemented in the Laney Walker/Bethlehem District.

The Augusta Housing & Community Development Department is tapping a diverse group of firms from Florida to Washington, D.C. to revitalize the Laney Walker/Bethlehem District. For over two years, the Department has worked to create the necessary conditions for a successful revitalization. The firms were selected to work collaboratively with one another, not competitively.

The Department has also unveiled a financial incentive program for potential homeowners in Laney Walker/Bethlehem.

The revitalization of Laney Walker/Bethlehem got its start in 2009, when the Augusta Commission passed legislation to support strategies promoting an African-American Heritage program in Augusta. Funds are currently being used for land banking, acquisition, planning and improvements for Laney Walker/Bethlehem. Since passage of the resolution, the Augusta Housing & Community Development Department has developed an overall master plan for the area, a pattern book to guide development, a financial incentives program, and a marketing plan to promote the overall effort. The selection of pre-qualified vendors (developers, builders, architects, engineers) to focus on early-phase catalytic construction rounds out a broad set of resources devoted to this revitalization effort.

Much hard work has occurred leading to new and renovated housing stock in both Heritage Pine and Holley Street Commons.

Work is also beginning in four additional areas in the Laney Walker/Bethlehem area - Twiggs Circle, Foundry Place, East Mill Village and The Boulevard.