AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – City officials launched a multi-agency raid Friday at Pace Corners Apartments, a 75-unit workforce housing complex on Gordon Highway, following an investigation into conditions tenants describe as ongoing and severe.

Deputies, marshals, code enforcement officers, and building inspectors swept the property at 1520 Gordon Highway. Tenants say the action came only after media inquiries.

Tenants describe weeks without utilities

Tenant Brandon Lewis said residents had gone without electricity for approximately two weeks and without hot water for roughly three weeks at the time of the raid.

“We have been without lights for about maybe two weeks. We went without hot water for about three weeks, and this has been going on and off constantly since I’ve been out here,” Lewis said.

Concerns escalated last month when a tenant posted video online showing Georgia Power trucks arriving at the property as power to common areas and several units was cut. In the video, a voice can be heard confirming the utility company had not been paid.

No valid business license on file

A public records request to the city for Pace Corners’ business license returned only a license issued to the previous owner of the property, then operating as Gordon Highway Inn. That license expired seven years ago. The city’s licensing office confirmed there is no active business license for the property.

Tenant-provided photos show mold, sewer flies, and a second-story window — shattered by gunfire last year — that remains boarded up. Tenants also reported the smell of raw sewage on the property.

Property management company identified

Public records identify Phillip Vera as the registered agent for Dwell Augusta, the company charged with overseeing Pace Corners. When approached at his Central Avenue office, Vera declined to explain the conditions and directed questions to the property owners. He would not identify the owners by name.

Jacob Glover, who appeared at the complex’s ribbon cutting two years ago, responded to an email inquiry with a statement saying he was representing the overseas owners at the time and that his involvement ended once the city completed initial inspections.

Lewis said he believes the Friday raid was prompted by news coverage.

“Why do you think suddenly everybody showed up today?” a reporter asked.

“Because they got word that the news people were coming,” Lewis said.

City responds

The city issued the following statement: “Our objective is to demonstrate that Augusta recognizes the public’s concerns, and is taking appropriate steps to strengthen licensing, tax-accountability, and enforcement procedures.”

The investigation is ongoing.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak Wednesday night into Thursday morning, Aug. 12-13, and this year’s timing could not be better for skywatchers.

The Perseids are among the most popular meteor showers of the year, peaking during warm August nights. The shower is active from July 17 through Aug. 24, with its strongest activity arriving Aug. 12 or 13.

What to expect

Under ideal conditions, viewers in rural areas could see 30 to 50 meteors per hour during the peak. The Perseids are made up of particles released by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle during its repeated passes through the inner solar system. The shower gets its name from the constellation Perseus, near where the meteors appear to originate in the sky.

This year’s peak coincides with the New Moon on Aug. 12, meaning there will be little to no lunar light pollution — conditions that make spotting meteors significantly easier.

The forecast for the peak night looks mostly clear, which should allow for good viewing across the area.

How to see the Perseids

• Get away from city lights. Light pollution from urban areas reduces visibility. Find a dark, open location away from town.
• Give your eyes time to adjust. Allow at least 20 to 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the darkness before expecting to see meteors.
• Put your phone away. Screen light disrupts night vision. Keep phone use to a minimum while viewing.
• Best time to watch: Ideal viewing will be between 11 pm Wednesday night until sunrise Thursday morning.