With state help, Augusta looks to revitalize Turpin Hill neighborhood

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – There is a new push to revitalize one of Augusta’s more blighted corners in the community.

Specifically, the Turpin Hill neighborhood, just outside of the medical district and Laney Walker area.

Now, thanks to state and University of Georgia partnerships with the city, there’s a plan for change in the historic neighborhood. But the city wants to hear from neighbors in the area.

Streets are lined with haunted-looking homes where thriving businesses used to stand on multiple corners.

While there is some life there, you only have to turn your head to see the blight.

“It’s good they’re doing something, you know, you stand around and see it going down,” said the owner of Nearby Grocery, Gregory Matthews,

Matthews’ family has been running the Nearby Grocery since the late 40s.

He’s seen Turpin Hill in its prime and says a revitalization is overdue.

“You’re going to have some new blood, new communities springing up. New business. It’s always a plus for the city itself to be improved,” said Matthews.

The city applied to a program called the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH). They were one of five projects across the state selected. The city, the state, and UGA will now collaborate on this plan over the next three to five years.

Housing and Community Development director, Hawthorne Welcher Jr., said: “Turpin Hill is an area we have not talked a lot about. We’ve pretty much sold them on the dire need and the deficiencies, the abandonment, the blight, the destitution; we sold them on that.”

The hope is this will be wildly successful, so more of these projects come to more neighborhoods in Augusta and help business owners, like Matthews.

“Well, it’s been a little trying because I had a ‘captive audience’ when I had the sunset homes over there, but now we’re filling. Walton Green is just filling up and so business is still picking up, I was able to survive so, it’s going to be alright,” said Matthews.

Hawthorne said: “Regardless of how great the plan is, regardless of how great the reward is, it starts and ends with the residents.”

Augusta will host three community meetings at the Carrie J. Mays Community Center.

Here’s a list of the meeting dates and times:

• March 21 at 6 p.m.
• June 20 at 6 p.m.
• September 19 at 6 p.m.

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