City leaders break ground for the redevelopment of old hotel - WFXG FOX54 Augusta - Your News One Hour Earlier

City leaders broke ground Wednesday for a demolition and renovation project at the old Regency Inn, soon to become a Holiday Inn Express on Broad Street.  

"I've driven by this hotel for years and years and you just want your city to look good and this was a part of it that didn't necessarily look good but now it will," said Mayor Deke Copenhaver. 

For nearly ten years this hotel has not been in use, existing only as an eye sore and a haven for crime but city officials said that's all about to change.

"It will take care of a bad eye sore and really help this end of Broad get turned around," said Mason McKnight, president of ACC Construction Company.

Efforts that will not only change the facade but also the level of crime in the area.

"Anytime you have an abandoned or dilapidated property, you're going to invite vandalism, you're going to invite certain crime elements to come in" said Sheriff Richard Roundtree. "So you take those and turn it in to productive property, your crime element is going to decrease."

The project is said to begin March first. The initiative is expected to boost the local economy, keeping subcontractors local and generating nearly one hundred jobs.

"They'll be using local contractors to do the work, it will create jobs for people to work here, so it's a win, win for everyone," said Mayor Copenhaver.  

A win- win that is expected to be complete by fall.

In addition to initiating the redevelopment of the lower end of Broad Street,  the developers' goal is to create needed rooms for the new Augusta Convention Center.

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