Efforts to restore one of Augusta’s more unique historic riverside buildings this week cleared a hurdle among officials.
The Augusta Engineering Services Committee on Tuesday approved a plan by Augusta’s Interim Administrator Takiyah Douse to start some much-needed repairs for the Boathouse along the Savannah River.
The building has suffered from a build-up of issues over its more than 30 years of existence, which were exacerbated in 2020 when a burst pipe flooded into the lower level that Augusta Rowing Club uses as its base of operations. Since then, it has been cleaned up some, but much more work is needed.
Local election:Richardson, Pearson force runoff to represent Columbia, McDuffie counties in legislature
Douse recommended allowing the rowing club to remain in the lower level and use the remaining SPLOST funds allocated for the Boathouse for stabilization efforts, including demolition of the deck, demolishing and removing the HVAC system, and mold remediation.
There has been a lot of back-and-forth about whether or not the entire Boathouse eventually needs to be replaced or put through a more thorough renovation.