The owners of the Old First Baptist Church have filed a Certificate of Appropriateness application with the city Planning and Zoning Department to demolish the old First Baptist Church.
The building, located at 802 Greene St., has been the center of controversy as the owners of the building, including The Augusta Press Publisher Joe Edge, say that they have been targeted by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) and Historic Augusta.
Edge contends that the HPC overstepped its authority and ultimately caused the city to demand he file for a “Certificate of Appropriateness” within 10 days. The notice demanded the building be brought up to code or be demolished.
The notice Edge received lists violation of local ordinances but are all dated May 27, 2020, months before Edge purchased the building. Furthermore Edge contends the four items listed on the notice were resolved years ago.
Edge first received the notice in July of 2024. The next day Edge responded to the city in writing via email .
“Code has never sent us a notice but rather called us to discuss issues in the past. Not sure what has changed,” Edge stated in the email.
Neither the HPC nor city staff ever responded to Edge’s email.
The COA demand includes the following language: “Restore or demolish immediately to avoid additional fines and/or legal action.”
In a statement to Planning and Zoning along with the HPC, Edge states that his hand is being forced with costly and unreasonable demands and that he and the other owner have determined the only path forward is to demolish the building.
“This ownership group has been spending money on stabilizing and improving the property over the last four years. We can’t in good conscience continue to spend money on the project if the city is going to tie our hands and force us to make unwise financial investments,” the statement reads.
Edge says that problems started after he was threatened by local attorney George Bush, who, at the time, was on the board of Historic Augusta. Edge says that Bush tried to convince him to give the building, free and clear, to Historic Augusta; however, Bush indicated that he wanted to see the building used for the Jessye Norman Performing Arts Center and that SPLOST money could be used for renovations if that were to happen.
Historic Augusta sent a letter requesting the city to pursue Edge on June 18. Ten days later the city sent its code violation letter citing issues from 2020. Edge received no further communication until the HPC had scheduled the hearing which led to the demolition application.
The HPC has to vote to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness before any demolition can be scheduled.
Scott Hudson is the Senior Investigative Reporter and Editorial Page Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
