The final vote has been taken and North Augusta City Council stands firm on building the new public safety headquarters and court offices on Georgia Avenue. Council voted unanimously in favor of the site, known as the Flythe/Seven Gables’ property.
The vote brings to an end a long, oft-contentious discussion of where to build. Residents unhappy with the location made one last attempt to sway council members at the Oct. 4 meeting.
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One of the most vocal, Fred Ilardi of Shoreline Drive, said city finances should not be taken lightly.
“When you’re spending $16 or $17 million without no other options, it’s simply ludicrous,” he said. “Why would you destroy a beautiful neighborhood with a strip mall design, and the answer is ‘because you can.'”
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Originally, the plan was to build on East Buena Vista Avenue near the current headquarters, but since the plan was presented to council in September 2020, site and construction cost estimates increased by about $850,000 more than the location on Georgia Avenue.
“The planning commission voted against it twice,” said Michael Reed, a resident on Bolin Road. “People that live in that area and others have voiced their concerns regarding safety factors and building in a historic district.”
The site was part of a hunting lodge built by North Augusta’s founder, James U. Jackson. The lodge supported visitors to another Jackson property, the Hampton Terrace Hotel, that was lost in a 1916 fire. Historic North Augusta and the Punch and Judy Theater have both expressed interest in restoring and using the structures.
Newly-elected council member Jenafer McCauley said this isn’t the only location that had been considered.
“I think we’ve looked at several locations over the years, the previous council before me,” she said. “This one was presented as the number one or two option, and when the Buena Vista became unable to expand upon, that is what made my decision. I feel like North Augusta will be growing, and expansion will always be necessary.”
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Following the unanimous vote, City Administrator Jim Clifford presented council with a resolution authorizing him to immediately begin steps to finalize the design and move forward with the project.
“To conduct one or more public sessions to receive citizen input related to the building design and to consult and receive input from the various non-profit agencies that are interested in the preservation and restoration of the existing Flythe and carriage house structures,” said Clifford.
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The administrator said he’s spoken with the non-profit agencies, and they are prepared to step in quickly to start roof remediation or other steps to stabilize the buildings.
The resolution, which also authorizes Clifford to move forward with the bid process for construction of the building, was approve by unanimous vote.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
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