Historic school to bring affordable housing to Augusta, officials say

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Dozens of residents near Lamar Elementary School paid a visit to the Richmond County Board of Education during its meeting on Tuesday night.

This comes after the board’s last meeting when they added last minute item onto its agenda to sell the Lamar School.

City leaders confirm the Lamar School is part of a development plan to bring affordable housing and market-rate housing to the area with more than half of the units going to relocate residents from Allen Homes, a public housing project built in the 1960s.

Neighbors are concerned with the sudden increase in population on neighborhood streets and a decrease in their green space.

Another concern is the future impact on the Academy of Richmond County, which sits across from the Lamar site.

“Our first concern is the Academy of Richmond County, which celebrates its 241st birthday this year. The presence of the more prominent provides options for future growth and development to serve the needs of the students of the bestselling property lives, RC Landlord, with no available space for future development,” said Beth Meagher, neighbor.

Neither city nor school leaders will say who is behind the purchase of the Lamar property.

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