January 3, 2008
History walk receives third grant
Augusta, Ga. – The Augusta State University campus is filled with history. And thanks to a $600,000 Transportation Enhancement Grant from the Georgia Department of Transportation, even more of that history will come to life.
The grant funds—ASU’s third TE Grant—will go toward construction of Phase IV of the History Walk, according to Special Coordinator for Academic and Master Planning Kathy Hamrick. ASU already has $200,000 set aside for designing the walk extension that will pick up at the Quadrangle, where the History Walk currently ends, and continue around campus near Science Hall and on toward Katherine Street.
“We planned a $1.25 million project, but we’re very happy with the $600,000,” Dr. Hamrick says. “We are so excited and thankful to Bill Kuhlke, our representative on the State Transportation Board, State Senator Ed Tarver, and State Representative Barbara Sims for their help in advocating for this grant.”
The walking path and displays will be consistent with the current and completed portions of the History Walk. Historical displays near the Quadrangle will consist of information about the Augusta Arsenal buildings, and the portion near Science Hall will include a science display. Dr. Hamrick says the history and science faculty will be called upon to lend expertise to this new section of the walk.
Also, in keeping with the current drought awareness, the biggest difference between the new and old sections will be the landscaping. Dr. Hamrick says planning for the new section will ensure that the design and plants are conservative in water usage.
The design of the project will begin in a few months and take about six months to complete. Construction could take between nine months and a year. But first, the environmental impact must be studied, and Christopher Murphy, professor of anthropology, will be called upon to scour the area for artifacts.
Dr. Hamrick originally formulated the concept for a History Walk while strolling with her husband on Augusta’s River Walk. She says the historical information there gave her the idea to display ASU’s rich history on a path that will eventually circle the entire campus.
“I was thinking, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if we had something like this?’” she remembers. “The rest is history.”
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