Plans OK’d for new apartments and growth in downtown Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – On Tuesday, commissioners gave the inexperienced mild to start out building for a brand new advanced on the nook of Ellis and Greene streets downtown.

Town’s Downtown Growth Authority says there are plans for 615 new house items over the subsequent few years.

On nearly each nook downtown, you’ll see indicators of progress.

“Now is a superb time for all downtowns. It’s type of like all the pieces goes in a full circle,” stated Margaret Woodard, DDA director.

Tuesday fee permitted a request to construct a five-story prolonged keep lodge throughout from Davidson Tremendous Arts Faculty on thirteenth Avenue.

Additionally they permitted the Atticus, an 82-unit luxurious house advanced on Ellis Avenue.

“We simply know that that may make such a difference–to have a downtown dwelling and what it could do for downtowns growth,” she stated.

A lot of the new housing choices are market-rate costs. Information from the DDA in 2021 discovered the typical family revenue inside a mile radius of downtown is just $42,000 per yr.

To get a market-rate two-bedroom house is about $1,600 a month. Somebody with that wage could be paying greater than 30% of their revenue on lease. Which the housing authority considers ‘lease overburden.’

Jordan Johnson, homelessness process pressure, co-chairman stated: “In welcoming individuals to Augusta, we now have to guard those that have been right here for many years.”

We spoke to Johnson concerning the want for reasonably priced housing and coverage that protects present residents from being kicked out due to progress.

“It’s necessary to have insurance policies on the e-book that can embrace them within the growth and the expansion that is happening in Augusta,” he stated.

New progress does have advantages for everybody.

Each leaders say reasonably priced and market-rate growth is necessary to Augusta’s progress. As a part of the homelessness process pressure, Johnson says they’ll be wanting and zoning insurance policies to prioritize reasonably priced housing.

Woodward stated: “The extra individuals you’ve gotten dwelling downtown that’s going to assist recruit the much-needed grocery retailer.”

Further Fee Updates:

• Homeless Taskforce replace handed. The Homelessness Activity Power & HCD will carry again suggestions for find out how to implement the strategic plan in 90-120 days. Points are already in place. Partnering with native organizations to kind day shelters, however different points nonetheless want money–like hiring the coordinator to handle the plan and constructing the supportive housing.
• The Atticus and Prolonged Keep Lodge have been handed.
• Bogs at Diamond Lakes have been closed resulting from plumbing and drainage points. Alvin Mason claims 400-1000 individuals are utilizing the park a day. He says it’s important restrooms are offered. Town has further porta-potties on the best way and is working to repair the drainage points. There isn’t any timeline for the venture.

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