North Augusta City Administrator Jim Clifford told council members he is going to ask the planning commission to rezone city-owned property on Georgia Avenue in order to construct the new public safety headquarters.
The land, known as the Flythe/Seven Gables property, must be rezoned from general commercial and large lot single family use to public use.
MORE: North Augusta Public Safety Heading to Georgia Avenue Location
Jim Clifford’s update during the Sept. 14 council study session is in advance of the Sept. 16 regular meeting of the planning commission.
“I understand that’s going to be a well-attended event. We’ll have a lot of citizen participation in that event,” Clifford said. “My intention is to get this through the planning commission on Thursday and then at the following Monday city council meeting be able to provide for you a first ordinance for zoning.”
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Fewer than 20 citizens attended an Aug. 12 public hearing to collect input on where to build a new public safety headquarters and court offices. In addition to the Georgia Avenue location the city also considered one on East Buena Vista Avenue near the current headquarters.
Several residents spoke against Georgia Avenue including Fred Ilardi who said the city should use that property in a way that preserves the historic nature of the site. The property originally was the location of a hunting lodge built by North Augusta’s founder, James U. Jackson.
Another resident, Ken Powell wants the city to take a second look at the original site on East Buena Vista Avenue. That was the original plan, presented to council in September 2020. Since then, site and construction costs have increased by about $850,000 more than the location on Georgia Ave.
There is a website where more information about the project is available. More information about the project is available here.
Also discussed at the study session was the future of one of North Augusta’s favorite annual events.
“We’ve met today with our committees and based on a number of factors we’ve determined we’re going to cancel this year’s Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee and push to next year,” Clifford said. The event was also canceled in 2020 because of COVID-19.
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Border Bash will be held at SRP Park as scheduled on Sept. 17. The annual event kicks off the annual Georgia versus South Carolina football weekend. The event was cancelled in 2020 because of COVID-19.
More information and tickets are available at this website.
A new event, Trash Bash at the Border, will be on Saturday, Sept. 18. Volunteers will compete for the cleanup that has the biggest impact. They will be judged on the total amount of debris collected and how many tires and other recyclable materials are removed.
MORE: Costs Spiraling for New North Augusta Public Safety Headquarters
The teams will also be judged on how many volunteers participate. The mayor with the fewest number will have to wear the opposing team’s shirt. He will also have to present the winning mayor with the Mayor’s Cup during a council or commission meeting.
Volunteers will be provided with gloves, trash bags and litter pick up sticks. Trash Bash on the Border will be from 9-11 a.m
Dana Lynn McIntyreis a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
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