Hearing on renaming Augusta Riverwalk for Ed McIntyre draws praise, criticism from public

Augusta is considering renaming three locations — the 8th Street Plaza and Augusta Riverwalk Park, the utilities building and a baseball field at Diamond Lakes — and on Wednesday the public got to share their thoughts about all three proposals.

The public hearing was held in front of the Augusta Planning Commission, but there was no action or recommendation from the Planning Commission. The decision on the renaming will be taken by the Augusta Commission on Sept. 19.

The proposal for the 8th Street Plaza and Augusta Riverwalk Park is to rename it for former Augusta Mayor Edward M. McIntyre Sr., the city's first Black mayor and an influential force behind the Riverwalk. McIntyre resigned from office in 1984 after being convicted of extortion. The initial proposal suggested also including the names of Charles A. DeVaney, another former mayor, but the Augusta Commission voted unanimously to move the recommendation forward with only McIntyre being honored.

"I just cannot see naming this landmark, this key thing in our city, after a convicted felon," said Dan Funsch, who spoke during the hearing. "I think that's the bottom line. I know Mayor McIntyre did many good things, but in my view his record is tarnished."

At least three other residents spoke against the renaming, either specifically honoring McIntyre or, like Arlene White, against the idea of naming any city buildings for a person rather than their location and function.

"I think we should refrain from naming our buildings and our places with people's names," White said. "We have wonderful, wonderful people here in Augusta-Richmond County, and for every one person we can think of to name something there are five more that would be equally (good choices)."

Patricia Geter agreed with White, but added that people could still be honored for their contribution to a project without it being renamed for them.

Former commissioner William Fennoy spoke in favor of the renaming.

“He created a lot of opportunities for the citizens of Augusta-Richmond County," he said. "He made a mistake. We all make mistakes.”

Rick Johnson, a former Augusta resident, drove in from Alpharetta, Georgia to testify in favor of the renaming. "It was well worth the drive" he told the Chronicle.

"Former Mayor McIntyre was a visionary, and he gave so much to this community," Johnson told the commission.

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Fennoy also served as the petitioner in favor of renaming the utilities building for Director Tom Wiedmeier, particularly mentioning his work for Marion Homes.

"Mr. Wiedmeier was a great friend, he was a great city employee and he was someone that was genuinely concerned about the issues that were going on not only in the east Augusta neighborhood but all over the city," Fennoy testified.

The Diamond Lakes hearing on naming a baseball field for the late Augusta Commissioner Fred Ancil “Andy” Cheek III followed.

White testified on both the utility building hearing and the baseball field, expressing her appreciation for both men's work while asking that buildings not be named for people.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta Planning Commission holds hearing on renaming Riverwalk