AUGUSTA, Ga (WFXG) - The lamar building is ONE OF DOWNTOWN AUGUSTAS’S OLDEST AND MOST PROMINENT BUILDINGS. FOR THREE YEARS, WE’VE HEARD ABOUT PLANS TO RESTORE IT. BUT, NOW THAT REALITY IS CLOSER THAN EVER. 

The 17-STORY SKYSCrAPER, known for it's unique glass paneled penthouse, was built in 1917. It's sat vacant for a few years, but that will soon change as CONNECTICUT-BASED DEVELOPER FRANK FARRICKER makes plans to RESTORe IT.

COMMISSIONER JORDAN JOHNSON HAS BEEN WORKING TO CREATE MORE HOUSING OPTIONS IN THE AREA FOR YEARS. He believes THIS HOUSING PROJECT AND OTHERS LIKE IT are TRANSFORMing THE LANDSCAPE OF DOWNTOWN AUGUSTA.

“DOWNTOWN AUGUSTA IS A UNIQUE PLACE AND WHEN I WAS RUNNING FOR OFFICE, I SAID THAT DOWNTOWN SHOULD BE A DESTINATION PLACE AND CERTAINLY WE’RE GETTING TO THAT POINT," Johnson says. "ANYTIME THAT YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE PEOPLE LIVING IN YOUR DOWNTOWN, ON BROAD STREET, IT’S A GREAT THING. IT HELPS THE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE INVESTED THEIR HARD EARNINGS, IT HELPS EVERYTHING.”

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MARGARET WOODARD SAYS IT WILL BE ONE OF BROAD STREET'S LARGEST HOUSING PROJECTS TO DATE. WITH 78 MARKET-RATE APARTMENTS AND A RETAIL COMPONENT ON THE FIRST FLOOR.

“THIS ONE IS EXCITING BECAUSE IT WAS REALLY HARD TO SEE THAT BUILDING GO DARK SEVERAL YEARS AGO, IT’S BEEN ICONIC, IT WAS AN OFFICE BUILDING," Woodard says. "SO, TO SEE THIS ADAPTATION INTO DOWNTOWN LIVING AND SEE IT COME BACK TO LIFE will be beneficial for the city.”

WOODARD SAYS THE CATALYST STARTED WITH MILLHOUSE STATION AND THE ROW. BUT, A HOUSING PROJECT OF THIS CAPACITY IS JUST WHAT THE CITY NEEDS.

AS PLANS ARE BEING DRAWN, city leaders are EAGER TO SEE THE LIGHTS COME ON AGAIN.

ONCE drawings, permits and PLANS ARE FINALIZED, THE developer WILL ANNOUNCE A TIMELINE FOR THE PROJECT.

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