Demolition work started March 1 on a structure on the site where North Augusta plans to build a new public safety headquarters.
City crews began demolishing the old, single-story motel that sits on the property at Georgia and Observatory Avenues.
Council members were updated on the project during a Feb. 28 study session.
“Right now, we don’t have a timeline on how long it’s going to take,” said Public Services Director James Sutton. “Probably take two days to gauge duration of how long we’re going to be on-site.”
City Administrator Jim Clifford added, “We’re strictly talking about the motel. The brick motel that’s on the property, not the legacy buildings fronting Observatory Avenue. Those are not going to be touched in this process. This is strictly the single-story motel structure that kind of bisects the property line.”
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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.
Selection of the Georgia Avenue location has been opposed by residents, especially those along Observatory and Butler Avenues. They pointed to the impact on their residential neighborhoods along with the historic nature of the site, commonly referred to as the Flythe/Seven Gables property.
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 two original structures that remain on the property.
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Council also got an update on a new event planned for this summer along the Savannah River. It will be held June 4.
“We’ve partnered with Augusta Rowing Club who thankfully stepped up when we reached out to them for advice. They have experience with the water element of our event,” said Karl Waldhaur from the Park, Recreation and Tourism Department. “We’re going to have an event or two on Savannah River. We’re going to hopefully involve the amphitheater with some entertainment, some food.”
Mayor Briton Williams said they need to come up with a great name for the event. Assistant Administrator Rachelle Moody said staff had a name they wanted to test with council: “Rocking and Rowing on the River.”
Council also reviewed the agenda for the March 7 regular meeting, including staff recommendations on how to use just over $11.8 million the city will receive in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.
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The U.S. Treasury Department had released its final rule on Jan. 6 for how municipalities can use the funds.
One section allows municipalities to take a standard allowance for revenue loss of up to $10 million rather than complete a full revenue loss calculation. Municipalities opting to use the standard allowance may use the money for government service with streamlined reporting requirements.
Clifford said the staff recommendation is to follow that guideline and put the $10 million into use as general governmental funds and use the balance for utility projects, specifically wastewater projects.
“Again, the money that goes into that set aside, is still at council discretion,” said Clifford. “So, those dollars will not be obligated or spent without council approval, it’s not an any kind of additional fund, that just going to kind of disappear over time. Anything that we asked for through the ARPA means is going to be in a public forum for the obligation of those funds.”
North Augusta has received its first installment of funds, $5.9 million. The balance is expected to be released to the city by October or November.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a general assignment reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
