AUGUSTA, Ga () – There were mixed emotions Wednesday night at the Sand Hills Community Center as many met to discuss a proposal of renovations at the Weed School… 

Community members had some strong opinions about what they wanted the former Weed School to be turned into.

Woda Cooper Companies designed a proposal on a potential senior living center.

Many locals, including Victor R. Thomas, Pastor of Greater Mount Canaan Church, did not like the idea of the senior center and would rather it be turned into community housing.

“I’m open and I embrace the seniors, the affordable homes, but I think we need some market rate homes as well. I think we need an integration of both seniors and some of the young people but we just don’t want a senior citizen home in this community because we’re already deteriorating.” Thomas said.

Commissioner Jordan Johnson of District 1 said multiple times during the meeting if the public does not approve of the idea, they would go back to the drawing board until there is a unanimous “yes” from the community.

“In a neighborhood as historic and sensitive as Sand Hills we have to make sure that we are being aware of what their needs are and not veering out of those lanes and they made that loud and clear tonight and I stand by them 100 percent, I believe that was what the purpose of this meeting was and I think folks were heard loud and clear.” said Johnson.

The developers brought up the idea of general occupancy instead of a senior center but one idea that was introduced by residents was a multi-use commercial and retail facility similar to Surrey Center.

“It’s almost a food desert on this end, we have to go up on the other end, so if we could have commercial retail over there that is compatible to the income of this area, then I think everything would be balanced, would be good for those students.” said Thomas.

The final application for this project must be submitted by May 16^th so developers can finalize plans to submit to the commission.