News 12 at 6 o'clock, November 4, 2009

AUGUSTA---Augusta's historic Harrisburg neighborhood is getting a $100 million investment on Broad Street. It may be the single largest fundraising effort ever in Augusta.

Ray and Joan Kroc donated more than $1 billion to the Salvation Army to build at least 25 community centers across the country.

Leaders had to come up with $30 million to get a Kroc Center here in Augusta. They raised that and more in less than a year. The project can now move forward, but some in the community are cautiously hopeful.

"I've been in a war zone," said Butch Palmer who lives in Harrisburg. "I'm tired."

"Augusta is a ghetto," said Palmer. "It's a big ghetto."

The new $100 million Kroc Community Center could help change his perception.

"It could turn out to be good," said Palmer. "It could turn out to be a pile of 'kroc'."

The plans call for 85,000 square feet of space. Those plans include a 400-seat theater and worship center.

"When I think Kroc, I just think great," said Larry Lesser, who has run a bait and tackle business in the Harrisburg community for 25 years. His shop is right across the street from the planned center.

"It's going to give historic Harrisburg a shot in the arm," said Larry. "You can always use more business."

The Kroc foundation is teaming with the Salvation Army to offer scholarships to the less fortunate. This aspect of the community center, which is geared to all walks of life, will provide scholarships that offer free access to social services and even recreation.

"Beyond the recreation there would be arts programs, photography classes, painting class, etc," said Kroc center coordinator Derek Dugan. "In exchange you've got to continually better yourself so that you no longer need the services of the Salvation Army."

The program would offer curriculum-based training that focuses on job training skills.

It is still a tough sell for some.

"I don't think the Kroc Center and all the exercise and finger painting lessons and all this is going to transform people," said Palmer.

That remains to be seen, but it will transform the neighborhood.

The major fundraising campaign came to an end in less than one year. Sources say Boone Knox was the point man when it came to pulling all the money together.

The groundbreaking is expected in February.