Here’s what’s in store for former Evans First Baptist Church site
EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Plans are taking shape for a new shopping center at the site of the former First Baptist Church of Evans.
If all goes as planned, it will have shopping, a couple of restaurants and even a bank branch.
It’s a big change for the corner of North Belair and Washington Road that was occupied for decades by a church many considered historic.
First Baptist Church of Evans merged with the First Baptist Church of Augusta, and they no longer met at the iconic building.
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The site was bought by a company from Ohio, and the building was torn down a few months ago to make way for something new. Red clay and leftover pieces of red brick and broken glass are all that remain on the hill now.
But that could change after the next step – an expected zoning decision by Columbia County commissioners.
Going before officials Tuesday is a slight zoning change that will allow a drive-thru at the Chase bank location that’s planned for the retail center.
SEE THE PLANS FOR SHOPPING CENTER:
The approval is considered likely, but if officials don’t move forward with it, the shopping center could be on hold for a while.
The whole project is exciting to Tiffine Carey, who owns nearby Lapels Cleaners.
“It allows more small businesses to come into Augusta and grow their businesses the way that we’re trying to grow ours,” she said.
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To people who are opposed to more businesses moving in, she says maybe they don’t understand how having more small businesses is good for everyone.
“The more small businesses that we can get in here, the more it allows job opportunities for folks and things of that nature,” she said. “So, I think as you sit back and try and consider it, the more businesses we can get in here, the more availability for jobs.”
She said the businesses can grow together.
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“I’d love to be able to find some kind of business – if it’s a nail salon, we could offer them the ability to wash their towels. If it’s restaurants, we could do their table linens. If it’s a high-class restaurant, their chef coats,” she said.
“So having them come in would be a big benefit to us also.”
The property has been sitting empty, but according to documents, developers want it to stay that way for long.
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And neither does Carey.
“That corner is a prime real estate opportunity for whoever goes in there,” she said.
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