In August 2003, R.S. Webb & Associates (RSWA) conducted a Phase I cultural resources survey of the former Atlanta Gas Light Company Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) in Richmond County, Georgia. The project area consists of the stretch of the Third Level Augusta Canal, between 12th Street and Twiggs Street in the City of Augusta.
No archeological sites were identified in the project area during this study. A segment of the project area is within the Laney-Walker North Historic District. Contributing elements of the district within and near the project APE include the portion of the Third Level Augusta Canal inside the district boundary, a Side Hallway House at 811 D' Antignac Street, a Shotgun house at 809 D' Antignac Street, the Crescent Mills/Southern Milling Company, and the Jack Callahan Memorial Bridge. The south boundary of the Augusta Canal and Industrial District National Historic Landmark (NHL) is on the north side of 12th Street, north of the present project boundary. The present project will result in no effect to the Crescent Mills/Southern Milling Company. Implementation of the proposed project will result in no adverse effect to the stretch of the Third Level Augusta Canal within the historic district, the Augusta Canal and Industrial District National Historic Landmark (NHL), and the houses at 811 and 809 D' Antignac Street.. No further cultural resources investigations are recommended for these resources.
Demolition of the Jack Callahan Memorial Bridge will result in adverse effects to the Laney-Walker North Historic District. We recommend a) that this bridge be documented to HABS Level ill standards using medium-format photography prior to demolition and b) that the designers of the replacement bridge consult with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources - Historic Preservation Division (HPD) to ensure development of a stylistically appropriate superstructure which is compatible with the historic district.
The 8th Street bridge, which is within the Laney-Walker North historic district, will be demolished as part of the MGP remediation project. This resource is recommended ineligible for the NRHP due to extensive alterations. Because the bridge is in a historic district, we recommend that the superstructure of the replacement bridge be compatible with the historic bridges crossing the canal in the area. We recommended that the designers of the 8th Street replacement bridge consult with HPD to ensure development of a superstructure which is compatible with the historic district.
Project activities associated with earlier phases of the MGP remediation project were completed and/or were underway in areas of the historic district when the present study was initiated. The proposed undertaking will result in no effects to the Trinity C.M.E. Church and an associated building. A Central Hallway Cottage at 808 8th Street will be demolished. HABS Level ill documentation using medium-format photography is recommended for this structure before demolition.
We recommend that a Memorandum of Agreement be developed between Atlanta Gas Light Company, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Georgia State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation which details measures that will be taken to preserve historic resources within the project area, and to mitigate any adverse effects from the proposed development to NRHP eligible historic resources.
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