Shape up or face city’s wrath, Augusta leaders tell Bon Air owners

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The troubled Bon Air Apartments are back in the news.

On Thursday, the director of construction for Redwood Housing – which is renovating the Section 8 apartment building that was a grand hotel many decades ago – was in the hot seat in front of the Augusta Commission.

He was trying to explain why even with millions in taxpayer money going toward repairs, there are still issues at the apartment building that draws maintenance complaints from residents, as well as enough crime to worry its neighbors.

These issues date back several years, drawing the scrutiny and criticism of U.S. Rep. Rick Allen.

Complaints of poor living conditions have been compounded by stabbings, shootings and complaints of a lack of security in the area.

It’s not just Bon Air residents speaking up, but other people who live nearby.

“I feel like that I’m hearing the same old thing that I heard a couple of years ago,” Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice said at Thursday’s meeting.

Mayor Garnett Johnson told Redwood:

“If you wanna be a great partner to this community, invest in some security.”

Commissioner Jordan Johnson threatened to put the landlord’s business license on probation “until we actually feel confident that something is going on.”

The company bought the Bon Air and the downtown Richmond Summit – another subsidized rental building that’s drawn complaints – in 2021.

Recent incidents at Bon Air include:

For its part, Redwood Housing gave an update Thursday on renovations at the Bon Air – two phases of work, including upgrading security cameras, replacing air-conditioning units and fixing the elevators.

“ I need to reassure you that we as Redwood, we develop and maintain quality properties,” said Bob Duke.

Those who live near the Bon Air disagree with the company’s claims.

“There must be two Bon Airs here because what I’m hearing doesn’t exist,” neighbor Frank Dolan said.

He says he hears gunshots constantly.

“If you are paying a security guard, you gotta get your money back because it’s not happening,” he said.

But Redwood repeatedly told neighbors and commissioners there is security at the Bon Air.

Redwood is expected to go back before the commission within the next 30 days.

“If it were up to me today, personally, I’d revoke your license,” Rice told Duke.

If conditions don’t improve at Bon Air and Richmond Summit, that could be a possibility.

Also at Thursday’s commission meeting …

• Commissioners approved supplemental funding in an amount not to exceed $10 million for Hurricane Helene waterway debris removal with Ceres Environmental Services. Commissioners also approved the use of general fund balances to pay for these services.
• Commissioners approved supplemental funding in an amount not to exceed $600,000 for Hurricane Helene waterway debris removal construction plans and monitoring services with Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood. Commissioners also approved the use of general fund balances to pay for these services.
• Commissioners heard from Moses Todd about city-owned cemetery priorities and the use of SPLOST 9 funding as well as the legality of using SPLOST funding for a veterans cemetery.

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