Leaders approve new rezoning for former church lot in Evans
EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Columbia County commissioners have approved the rezoning of the former Evans First Baptist Church site.
In the commission meeting on Tuesday, commissioners approved the rezoning of the site from split zoned as General Commercial and Neighborhood commercial to general commercial.
If all goes as planned, the site will have shopping, a few restaurants and even a bank branch.
First Baptist Church of Evans merged with the First Baptist Church of Augusta, and they no longer met at the iconic building.
Debris cleanup update at the Augusta Canal
Officials say they are still clearing trees from the canal.
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.
The slight zoning change will allow a drive-thru at the Chase bank location that’s planned for the retail center.
SEE THE PLANS FOR SHOPPING CENTER:
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.
Debris cleanup update at the Augusta Canal
Officials say they are still clearing trees from the canal.
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.
“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.
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“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.
And neither does Carey.
“That corner is a prime real estate opportunity for whoever goes in there,” she said.
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