The fort seems to be steering troops away from south Augusta (Grovetown: hotel, homes)

[Worren]

Overheard a young family chatting in the Commissary that they were looking for a home. They said the housing office recommended they choose a home in Columbia county because everything in South Augusta was run down and dangerous. And the schools were terrible. Also overheard was that Gate 5 would be closed permanently in the near future and the post had reduced the speed limit from gate 5 to the center of post by ten miles per hour to discourage people from entering/leaving post that way.
Now that was a lot to swallow without checking so that's what we did.
Security personnel at the gate revealed that the temporary personnel shortage that forced the Fort to close the gate at night had only lasted a couple of months and the "big shots" decided nobody cared so they made it permanent. Lots of retired and active military personnel live near gate 5 and when a medical emergency happens when the gate is closed they must take a 20 minute drive to gate 1 to get to the Eisenhower emergency room. Hmmm, that seems a bit dangerous.
The speed limit has indeed been reduced by ten miles per hour along a road that only has a gas station and a school zone for most of its length. Keeping a car at or below 25 mph requires steady application of the brakes, which can result in expensive brake repairs at the on post auto repair shop. Another hmmmm.
We heard for ourselves how local realtors are semi reluctant to show properties in the Sand Ridge, Fairington and other upscale neighborhoods. I must state strong opposition to that as many fine homes exist in the area. It seems that the fort is discriminating against those areas through some hush hush means. A little extra commission might make even an honest realtor recommend housing in the Gate 1 area.
Are the housing areas in South Augusta run down and dangerous? No more than any other area. The Sheriff patrols frequently, neighbors help keep the area clean and it is generally quiet. Windsor Spring road is being widened and modernized and new businesses are moving in and thriving.
We've tried without success to speak to the post commander but will keep trying. Our Commissioner will get on board as his busy schedule allows. A letter to our state senator has yet to be answered but his staff has indicated he would help address the situation.
Please don't give up on South Augusta. We live here, we're not animals and don't deserve to be treated shabbily by our military friends.

[Big J]

I would never recommend anyone to live in South Augusta. He's just telling the truth. A hard truth, but the truth

[AUGnative]

The schools are terrible. That is the truth. This is nothing new.. fort personnell have been choosing Columbia County over South Augusta for many years now. You have nicer and newer subdivisions just north of Grovetown that are just a stone's throw from gate 1. It is more convenient and there are more shopping and dining options.

[The Magician]

Originally Posted by Worren

Overheard a young family chatting in the Commissary that they were looking for a home. They said the housing office recommended they choose a home in Columbia county because everything in South Augusta was run down and dangerous. And the schools were terrible. Also overheard was that Gate 5 would be closed permanently in the near future and the post had reduced the speed limit from gate 5 to the center of post by ten miles per hour to discourage people from entering/leaving post that way.
Now that was a lot to swallow without checking so that's what we did.
Security personnel at the gate revealed that the temporary personnel shortage that forced the Fort to close the gate at night had only lasted a couple of months and the "big shots" decided nobody cared so they made it permanent. Lots of retired and active military personnel live near gate 5 and when a medical emergency happens when the gate is closed they must take a 20 minute drive to gate 1 to get to the Eisenhower emergency room. Hmmm, that seems a bit dangerous.
The speed limit has indeed been reduced by ten miles per hour along a road that only has a gas station and a school zone for most of its length. Keeping a car at or below 25 mph requires steady application of the brakes, which can result in expensive brake repairs at the on post auto repair shop. Another hmmmm.
We heard for ourselves how local realtors are semi reluctant to show properties in the Sand Ridge, Fairington and other upscale neighborhoods. I must state strong opposition to that as many fine homes exist in the area. It seems that the fort is discriminating against those areas through some hush hush means. A little extra commission might make even an honest realtor recommend housing in the Gate 1 area.
Are the housing areas in South Augusta run down and dangerous? No more than any other area. The Sheriff patrols frequently, neighbors help keep the area clean and it is generally quiet. Windsor Spring road is being widened and modernized and new businesses are moving in and thriving.
We've tried without success to speak to the post commander but will keep trying. Our Commissioner will get on board as his busy schedule allows. A letter to our state senator has yet to be answered but his staff has indicated he would help address the situation.
Please don't give up on South Augusta. We live here, we're not animals and don't deserve to be treated shabbily by our military friends.

Just let it go, please. I remember when south Augusta had a food max and apple valley was a nice subdivision. It was a very quiet area conveniently located near the Regency mall. At that time, east boundary, downtown and surrounding areas were the only issue. More so, east boundary. Those times are lonnnnnngggggg gone. Everything mentioned is known by most folks who post on here so it's not a secret. The south Augusta horse has been hanged, drawn and quartered. Those times ain't coming back. Accept it and move on. Now, I did think Goshen would be more developed than it is. A lot of folks had high hopes for the area. What happened with that?

[AUGnative]

Magician is correct. That ship has sailed. The time to right the ship was 25 years ago. Consolidation further hurt South Augusta. I used to live in what was a very nice middle class subdivision in south Augusta. I could not believe my eyes when I recently drove back through that area. It is nothing like I remember

[Eastclevelandguy]

All hard truths and if the post doesn't do it the word of mouth will.

[Worren]

I see the op's point but think for a moment of those who invested in South Augusta, bought homes, raised and educated children, and lived decent, productive lives.
My young 'un went to RC schools including AR Johnson and went on to graduate from Georgia State and get a fine job. Yes, South Augusta is not perfect but many people have made a good life here. Shutting the gate and using the name of the Federal Government to drive people away is just wrong. At least let us try to get some of the value of our homes. This is America, the land of opportunity where free choice should be the rule instead of the exception. The perceived harassment of lowered speed limits to create a speed trap on a major roadway and security personnel issuing tickets for three miles over the newly lowered speed limit is not right.
Seems that those that live in South Augusta are NOT equal to those living in neighboring counties.

[Eastclevelandguy]

Originally Posted by Worren

I see the op's point but think for a moment of those who invested in South Augusta, bought homes, raised and educated children, and lived decent, productive lives.
My young 'un went to RC schools including AR Johnson and went on to graduate from Georgia State and get a fine job. Yes, South Augusta is not perfect but many people have made a good life here. Shutting the gate and using the name of the Federal Government to drive people away is just wrong. At least let us try to get some of the value of our homes. This is America, the land of opportunity where free choice should be the rule instead of the exception. The perceived harassment of lowered speed limits to create a speed trap on a major roadway and security personnel issuing tickets for three miles over the newly lowered speed limit is not right.
Seems that those that live in South Augusta are NOT equal to those living in neighboring counties.

All these decisions being made are happening on post where the government has a right to choose what it does on federal property, the motives are hearsay at best as no one with authority has provided their explanation as to why certain decisions have been made. Changing the speed limit and limiting the hours of Gate 5 are not harassing a community. Gate 1 is the only 24 hours gate and having one round the clock gate servicing a post is very common across all the branches. It;s not up to the post to help those get their property values up, that's up to the communities and its leaders And if someone has a medical emergency off post an ambulance won't take them on post when it's that dire so that's a moot point.

[AUGnative]

We saw the writing on the wall 20 years ago as far as South Augusta was concerned. It actually started going downhill earlier but consolidation seemed to be the tipping point. Once consolidation took effect the southside lost a lot of the political clout that it once had in the old county government. The Southside started getting ignored and money was shifted to propping up downtown. We were able to sell in the mid 90s and still were able to make a decent profit. But since that time things have gotten much worse on the southside. I cannot blame the Fort for steering their people to Columbia County.

[PJA]

Originally Posted by AUGnative

We saw the writing on the wall 20 years ago as far as South Augusta was concerned. It actually started going downhill earlier but consolidation seemed to be the tipping point. Once consolidation took effect the southside lost a lot of the political clout that it once had in the old county government. The Southside started getting ignored and money was shifted to propping up downtown. We were able to sell in the mid 90s and still were able to make a decent profit. But since that time things have gotten much worse on the southside. I cannot blame the Fort for steering their people to Columbia County.

This is south augustas biggest problem and has been going on for years. People shouldn't steer people especially with misinformation. The fact of the matter is there are nice neighborhoods and schools in the area especially past tobacco rd.

Interestingly enough I hear from several military personnel that they would like to make gate 5 more accessible due to the airport and that they would like to see a hotel somewhere on tobacco rd so it seems the negative talk may be changing. Time will tell.