News 12 at 11 o'clock, August 25, 2009

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.---The proposed modifications to the Hammond's Ferry Expansion were laid out by the planners, and there's good environment news as well as good budget news for the City of North Augusta's budget.

The new plan cuts costs and keeps the environment as a top priority. At the forefront of the planning is preservation and making sure that the natural resources are protected. While there will be more shops and homes built, the essential goal is protecting Mother Earth's wetlands.

Steven Johnson, his wife Sonia and his sister Nicole all enjoy the scenery at Brick Pond Park.

"Shake the day off," said Steven. "It's a good place to be. It's peaceful not a lot of people around down here."

His sister Nicole agrees: "It really is relaxing. I come down here in the mornings for prayer and meditations and stuff like that."

More development is headed to the Hammond's Ferry area, now that the Hammond's Ferry Partnership just rolled out Plan B. The new development between Hammond's Ferry and the 13th Street Bridge calls for an entertainment venue on the Savannah River with about 40,000 square feet of new commercial space. The goal is to build it around the "urban eco-park" while preserving the area's natural state.

"It's so beautiful and lush and green and peaceful and calm here," said Tara Scicchitano. "I drive my boys down here and we take the bikes out and go for a ride or roller blade."

The new plans largely focuses on the new streets, trails, and entertainment settings which all parallel the Savannah.

Also, the $15 million price tag just went down to $10 million. Saving city dollars and hearing that nature won't be disturbed is good news.

"I think its great as long as they disturb the ecosystems too much and try to keep it as natural as possible," said Scicchitano. "That's wonderful."

The Hammond's Ferry Partnership is made up of the North Augusta Riverfront Company, the Leyland Alliance and the City of North Augusta. City Administrator Sam Bennett says several study sessions are still to come to discuss revenue projections for the commercial area.