AUGUSTA, Ga. () – Augusta Commissioners and leaders are eager to see the new sign for the Riverwalk that they voted to rename for Ed McIntyre 15 months ago.
“Today is a great day in Augusta. Today is a great day for the McIntyre family. It is a great day for he legacy of Ed McIntyre,” said Commissioner Tony Lewis.
McIntyre was the city’s first Black mayor and came up with the plan to create Riverwalk.

“Augusta needs to know the history, good, bad, in different. We need to show case what Augusta is,” said Commissioner Francine Scott.
Augusta’s Riverwalk now named in honor of Ed McIntyre, and it was made official with the unveiling the of the sign.
“This is a very proud day for the family. It is a long time coming. We worked tirelessly with the commissioners and the mayors and finally for this event to happen today,” said Marlow McIntyre, his son.   
But the renaming was controversial McIntyre was tried and convicted of extortion after becoming mayor.
“If people choose to think about that controversy, of course, it will always be around, but we’re not here to think about that. We’re here to think about the fact he was a public servant,” said Commissioner Jordan Johnson. 

And though the McIntyre Riverwalk sign has been unveiled, the sign’s backdrop and the park  needs work.
“It certainly does not in my opinion reflect the legacy and the dream of Edward M, McIntyre. We must do better,” said Mayor Garnett Johnson.
The city crews will be doing touch up work on the wall behind the sign.