The plan to build the new North Augusta public safety headquarters and court operations is one step closer to the site on Georgia Avenue at Observatory Avenue. Councilmembers voted unanimously to move forward to rezoning the property for public use.
Part of the site, best known as the Flythe and Seven Gables property, is currently zoned general commercial and the rest is single family, large lot. It is also in the neighborhood preservation overlay and is listed in the National Historic Register.
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Five members of the Planning Commission voted unanimously at the Sept. 16 meeting to not recommend rezoning the property for public use. Chairwoman Dr. Christine Crawford and Vice Chairwoman JoAnn McKie were absent.
That was the second time commissioners voted unanimously against the rezoning. The first was in 2018 when Mayor Briton Williams was chairman of that commission. Some citizens asked why he opposed it then but supports it now.
“Here’s my reason. I, along with council, do care about our historical buildings. That’s why building a police headquarters on this property is going to insure the two structures on the Flythe property,” he explained. “Once the property is sold, there’s no control those buildings will be saved by whoever buys it. But by working with Historic North Augusta, we can ensure those properties are fixed up and maintained.”
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The site, which still has two historic structures, 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.
Councilman Eric Presnell also originally opposed the site but has changed his position.
“If we had an unlimited budget, we can go wherever. But we don’t have that,” he said. “So, yes, unfortunately, I did say one thing and now after everything I’ve seen, I am having to go the other way. I just feel like anything else we do to prolong this again, I’ve been on council two and a half years, and at some point we have to say ‘Let’s get started.’ Our officers deserve way better.”
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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 costs have increased by about $850,000 more than the location on Georgia Avenue. Administrator Jim Clifford stood by his recommendation to use the Georgia Avenue property.
The Sept. 20 vote was just the first reading of the ordinance. There must be a second reading and approval at the next regular council meeting, scheduled for Oct. 4.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
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