A new residential option is being built near the cyber locations in downtown Augusta.
Work on the project, owned by ATC Development, began with a groundbreaking ceremony on Feb. 3.
Called “The Standard,” the midrise building will be located at 12th Street between Telfair and Greene Streets. Described as “upscale,” it will have 136 units of studio apartments as well as one- and two-bedroom apartments.
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Woody Belangia, CEO of ATC Development, said the location is the gateway to Augusta.
“This is the Calhoun Expressway, ends right there and we’re looking right at this,” he said. “We’ve always kind of wanted to do this, to do an urban midrise, and this opportunity came along and this piece of property and that’s perfect.”
The building will include a salt-water pool, fitness center and dog park. A rooftop lounge will offer open air spaces. Commercial space is available on the first floor.
Mayor Hardie Davis Jr. said it was an incredible day for the city of Augusta.
“I will tell you, once again, this is what it looks like when you create a city of opportunity for everyone where people want to live, to learn, to work in, to raise their families,” he said. “There’s so much good happening in our community. Our future is its brightest now, not only with economic growth and development, but opportunities to create a complete community.”
Sue Parr, president and CEO of the Metro Augusta Chamber of Commerce said this development will help address the high demand for housing in the downtown market.
“People want to live in the urban community. This is such a needed project and such a delightful mixed-use building with all of its amenities,” she said. “So, we’re just really looking forward to being able to promote downtown living and have that space available for people. Downtown’s hot right now.”
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Margaret Woodard, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, pointed to other nearby residential properties including 158 units at Millhouse Station, with 160 units ready to open on Slaton Street. With 136 at The Standard, that is 500 units with $80 million in private investments.
“So, the more people you have live in downtown, you have a better chance of attracting more retail like a grocery store. I mean, we’re not there yet, but these are the type things that larger retail look at,” Woodard said. “It’s going to increase our sales tax dollars because these people are going to spend money downtown. Businesses are going to see an increase in business and it increases the property taxes for the city.”
Based in Augusta, ATC Corporation started in 1975. It currently has 11 properties and more than 2,200 units in the southeast U.S.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a general assignment reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
