Augusta Housing Authority: Deansbridge Road development 70% complete; move-ins targeted for fall 2026

The Augusta Housing Authority told commissioners its Deansbridge Road redevelopment is progressing ahead of schedule and under budget, with the authority planning to begin moving families into Phase 1 this fall.

Douglas Freeman, executive director of the authority, said Phase 1 (the family side) comprises roughly 236 units across five buildings plus a leasing office and is about 70% complete. He said the project is ahead of schedule and under budget and that the authority expects to begin moving families in October or November 2026. Phase 2 (a 75-unit elderly building) has been awarded low-income housing tax credits; Freeman said AHA expects to close financing in August 2026 and begin construction immediately thereafter, with occupancy possible in the first quarter of 2028.

Commissioners asked detailed questions about neighborhood impacts, including access points, buffers and fences between the development and adjacent neighborhoods (the Hamptons) and whether the detention/retention facilities would be maintained by the developer. Freeman said the project will include a primary entrance off Deansbridge Road and a gated secondary entrance reserved for public-safety access; in addition, the authority plans an array of evergreen plantings and a privacy fence along the rear property line. The authority will seek any necessary variances to allow an 8-foot privacy fence (the code currently cites a 6-foot maximum) and said it will coordinate with affected homeowners on fence placement.

Commissioners also asked about traffic and pedestrian safety. Commissioner Clark moved to ask engineering to initiate a study of whether a traffic signal or other improvements are warranted at the project entrance; the engineering director said the department can initiate a signal-warrant study, but permitting and construction would follow an engineering review and possibly require funding or Georgia Department of Transportation coordination.

What happens next: AHA will continue construction under the current schedule; engineering staff will begin a traffic-signal warrant study at the commission's request. The authority and project superintendent said they will continue direct outreach to adjacent homeowners about fence placement and landscape buffering.

Quotes (selected)

"Phase 1 is approximately 70% complete today... We anticipate being complete with construction and moving people in starting this fall," Douglas Freeman said.

"We have to coordinate with them to, but that was based on the conversation we had with the neighborhood that they wanted that fence back there," Freeman said of a planned privacy fence and tree buffer.

Ending

The commission received the update as information and approved a motion to have engineering study traffic-control options for the site entrance; AHA and staff will continue neighborhood outreach and finalize buffering and fencing plans.