AUGUSTA, Ga. (WFXG) - The Bon Air Apartments are nestled in the Summerville Historic District on Walton Way. The building is a major piece of history for the local community. However, the history now makes headlines as tenants voice disrepair concerns. Tenants tell FOX54 crime, rodents, holes and cracks are some of the issues plaguing Bon Air Apartments. However, the new owner, Redwood Housing says it is working to correct these problems and improve the integrity of the building. 

FOX54 visited the location multiple times, submitted open record requests, spoke to tenants and got the new owner to fly down to Augusta to talk about it. Tenants say the conditions are deplorable. Redwood Housing says they want to fix it, but it could take a while.

Years ago, Bon Air was the place to be. The original building dates back to 1889. Destroyed by fire in 1921, it got another chance in 1924 as the Bon Air-Vanderbilt Hotel. Once considered a crown jewel of the Summerville Historic District, Bon Air hosted sparkling chandeliers, a large swimming pool and some VIP guests including President Taft.

Former local sportscaster and now author Stan Byrdy shared additional perspective on the building's impact to the area.

"The original hotel was utilized at the height of Augusta’s reign as winter tourism capital of the United States through the 1920’s.  President Taft stayed at Terrett Cottage in back of the hotel and played golf at ACC and Hampton Terrace course in North Augusta - and picked his cabinet during the winter of 1908-09. The rebuilt hotel was utilized by Bobby Jones as the unofficial headquarters during the early Masters Tournaments - for patrons, press and players." said Byrdy.

Below are historic photos from the Augusta Museum of History. Some of these are also included in Byrdy's Golf’s Golden Age.

 

 

Bon Air's hotel era ended in 1960 after owners couldn’t secure a mortgage. Now, Bon Air serves as low-income housing. One tenant says it’s not the place to be anymore.

"April will be 16 years..” said Elizabeth Santiago, Bon Air Apartments tenant.

Santiago calls Bon Air home, but she says it doesn’t feel like one.

“They don’t care about us. They slumlords. That’s exactly what they are, slumlords.” said Santiago.

The people Elizabeth cares about most try to stay away from Bon Air. Although, Santiago feels it's not for a lack of love.

“Family means a lot..” 

She says her grandchildren are close to her heart.   

"I said oh yeah, I could watch them and take them to the park and all that. But no, if I see my grand babies I have to go to their house. Matter of a fact, I went to my son’s girlfriend and watched my grandson. She brought me back Wednesday and I watched him here, but she says, ‘cause I mean it’s so much to get him together and everything, bringing him here, you know, I know it’s not that, it’s the nasty building. That really hurt my heart.” said Santiago.

Elizabeth says what’s supposed to be her home also hurts her health.

 

 

“That’s why I can’t have my mold shot because of the mold in the building. They can’t give it to me until they get it under control.” said Santiago.

Another tenant didn’t want to be identified. However, the woman did want to share frustration.

"[I've lived here] 10 years. It's been pure hell. We should not have to live like animals. Roaches, rats, bedbugs…It’s the mildew! The smell!” said an anonymous tenant.

Another resident agrees.

"It’s not fair.” said Frankie Morris, Bon Air Apartments tenant.

Morris points to even more issues.

“There’s drugs and stuff like that. People go to the bathroom in the elevators, down the halls...and my carpet needs to be taken out.” said Morris.

 

City documents indicate many of these problems aren’t new. FOX54 gathered several code enforcement, incident reports and fire documents which reveal both ongoing and former issues at this location. You can scroll through them below.

 

 

What is new for Bon Air Apartments is ownership. Redwood Housing bought the property one year ago for $15.25M.

"We inherited a lot of issues here.” said Nick Boehm, Redwood Housing Director.

Boehm says Redwood Housing wants to make a positive impact.

"We want to be a part of the solution here. It just doesn’t happen overnight.” said Boehm.

In a one-on-one interview, Boehm tells FOX54 there have been some updates made since taking ownership. 

"We’ve invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into security being onsite 24/7 that hadn’t been here previously, into a new fire alarm panel system so there isn’t always calling to police and fire, we’ve made investments into the elevators..”

However, the more extensive work remains in limbo, for now. 

“From a timing standpoint, we’re probably looking at the end of this year, beginning of next year, but it’s really dependent on the funding sources to come through for this type of renovation.” said Boehm.

Redwood Housing hopes to receive low income housing tax credits. The program is competitive. That means, an application doesn't necessarily guarantee funding. FOX54 asked if Redwood Housing has a backup plan.

"What if it’s not available by the end of the year? Do people here wait another year? What’s the plan B?" asked Abby Bradshaw, FOX54.

"Well, look, I think our highest probability of being able to move that renovation forward comes from having appropriate community support.” said Boehm.

However, some residents and community stakeholders say they can’t wait any longer.

"Pull in here for two weeks see how you like that! You’ll see! It’s a war zone! It makes Chicago look like Mary Poppins!” said Frank Dolan, neighbor. 

In fact, they say some of the improvements already made are not effective.

"You stick your hand in [Bon Air Apartment's front door] and if you’re tall enough to reach it will automatically open," one tenant said.

Another resident chimed in, 

"Mold! Mildew! Asbestos! Asbestos!”

Santiago also took FOX54 through her apartment to show problems she currently faces.

"There's some cracks in the wall. When it rains, water comes in like waterfall..” said Santiago.

She also points to her kitchen, where the faucet to her sink is broken. 

"It don’t want to turn off all the way sometimes." 

At the end of the day, Santiago and others we spoke with say they just want folks in charge to do the right thing.

"I feel that if you pay your rent, and you do what you supposed to do, and when you have a problem in your apartment, it should get done. Not months later.” said Santiago.

"Live here and you’ll see. Your rodent problem is out of control, and we are paying the price for it. So your little spiff up that you gave up her is a big fat story. I didn’t even recognize the city you were talking about and I live here!" said Dolan.

"We've got to do something." said Augusta-Richmond County Commissioner Catherine Smith-McKnight.

Meanwhile, Boehm maintains Redwood Housing is already doing something about it. Since FOX54's walk through, Redwood Housing has stationed security guards at the front door to check identification. Boehm says an upgraded security camera system will also be installed within 90 days. More details on the comprehensive renovation plan can be found in the Zoom presentation below.

 

"We’re trying to be a part of the solution here.” said Boehm.

A full statement from Redwood Housing can be read below.

"Thanks for the email.  Redwood Housing is a mission-driven impact developer focused on raising the standard of living for residents of affordable housing properties such as Bon Air Apartments, which we just acquired last year. As you are likely aware, the property suffered from mismanagement and underinvestment under prior ownership and we are committed to a comprehensive and meaningful renovation to ensure the preservation and revitalization of this critical community asset.

MMS/Arco is the property management company who is responsible for the day to day management of Bon Air Apartments and collectively we have been working with community stakeholders to ensure as many resources as possible are made available for our preservation efforts. If you are local to the area, we welcome you to the property where we could walk you through the building and some of our plans. In addition, we regularly communicate with community stakeholders who are interested in collaboratively solving problems and these efforts have been ongoing since our acquisition.

We are investing heavily in the Augusta community and are committed to building positive long-lasting relationships with the community, local partners, and most importantly the residents. We welcome and encourage the feedback of the communities we serve, appreciate your reaching out, and look forward to continued dialogue."

FOX54 brought this story to the district commissioner, Catherine Smith-McKnight. She says she has been in talks with this developer since late 2021. McKnight also joined FOX54 for a walk through with Redwood Housing. She feels more improvements should have happened by now. When Redwood Housing's comprehensive renovation work begins, Commissioner Smith-McKnight says the work needs to be done thoroughly.

"You've got to get people out of here. That’s my take on it. Then, in order to get people back in, screen them, check them for criminal background, drugs, alcohol, all that, and if they don’t meet the requirements, they don’t come here to live.” said Commissioner Catherine Smith-McKnight.

The commissioner also says she is not opposed to finding a different owner.

"They need to be held accountable. Otherwise, let somebody else come in and purchase the place and get it back to where it needs to be. We can't continue to have people live the way they are living. I feel for a lot of them." said Commissioner Smith-McKnight.

Tuesday, March 15, Commissioner Smith-McKnight invited the Augusta Fire Chief Antonio Burden to take a look at the Bon Air Apartments basement. FOX54 confirmed Chief Burden ordered a full inspection of the building after his visit. Inspection results are pending.

HUD inspection scores barely passed the minimum score of 60 from 2013 until 2019. In 2019, the score jumped more than 20 points. A HUD representative shared the following statement:

Regarding the inspection score difference between the 2017 score of 69 and the 2019 score of 98, the variance was attributable to the Owner/Agent making significant investment/improvements to the property.  As part of REAC policy, whenever there is a significant score change, as in this case, we conducted an internal quality control review.  Take away, the property had improved and was confirmed by the Multifamily Representative.

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