AUGUSTA, Ga. () – Residents describe the Bon Air Apartments as resembling the wild west. They mention that recent shootings have made them fearful of being outdoors.
“I’ve lived there for forty years, raised four children, and now have grandchildren. I’m too scared to let them play in the backyard because of gunfire; they might tragically be hit by a stray bullet,” said Becky Smith, whose property borders the Bon Air.
Bob Duke, the Construction Director for the Bon Air’s owners, informed city officials that the company invested over $6 million to enhance living conditions and bolster security at the complex.
“We understand the community has concerns over safety issues we understand the neighbors have concerns over the safety issues we too have concerns over those safety issues,” said Duke.
But city leaders saying there has not been enough action on the companies concerns about safety.
“Frankly, I believe you need to do better. You owe it not only to the people who live there you owe it to this community, and you owe it to the neighbor who live around that historic building,” said Mayor Garnett Johnson.
Commissioners approved beginning the process to place the company’s business licenses for the Bon Air and Richmond Summit on probation, due to the company’s operation of those two complexes.
“We got major problems, okay, major problems and if it were up to me today, personally, I’d revoke your license,” said Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice.
Duke told commissioner that phase two of security improvements at the Bon Air will be completed by November.
For neighbors and city leaders, they will need to see it to believe it.
