AUGUSTA, Ga. (WFXG) - What's next for the old Augusta Jail? It's been torn down piece by piece over the years. Now, city leaders have called experts in to decide what the future looks like for 401 Walton Way.

City leaders and the Augusta Economic Development Authority met with the Urban Land Institute to brainstorm what will be the best use for this property.

The long-term goal would be a catalyst project, as the old law enforcement center is a gateway into the Augusta community.  

“We need more shops in this area, we need more restaurants for families to be able to go, we need more places for kids to patronize, we need things for our youth to do in the city of Augusta," District 1 Commissioner Jordan Johnson says. "This is six acres of opportunity that we can tap into.”

City leaders and community members have shown members of the Urban Land Institute around and given them guidance. But, they are letting them decide and most importantly, asking neighbors what they want to see.

“You’ve got a large residential area here," President of the Augusta Economic Development Authority Cal Wray says. "We obviously want something that doesn’t impact residential, you have May Park here that’s owned by the city, you’ve got the sheriff’s office administration owned by the city, you’ve got a lot of city owned property, you’ve got the highly trafficked Gordon Highway. So, obviously a catalyst project that improved the entire area around. But, something also the residents want. That’s a key piece, if we put something here the residents don’t want, that’s not a win.”

The technical assistance panel says there are challenges to consider regarding the development. They range from structural to environmental and market conditions.

“One thing we hear from a lot of people is we want a certain kind of grocery store or a certain kind of restaurant and one of the things that might be challenging is certain kind of grocery stores and restaurants have their own criteria for demographics and economics and market support," Chairperson for the Urban land institute-atlanta Jonathan Gelber says. And if that’s not there and we go ahead and advise to build a grocery store. That might not be a successful and best use.”

They estimate it will take 6 to 8 weeks to get recommendations back from the Urban Land Institute.

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