Thelma Scruggs, 63, vividly recalls the days when Gilbert Manor was one of the premier residences for black Augustans.
In the early 1940s, she was told, large segments of middle-class blacks were eager to inhabit federal housing projects such as Gilbert Manor, primarily because the units featured what were then considered modern bathroom facilities, a trend away from the common outhouse option.
On Sunday, Mrs. Scruggs was among a dwindling number of residents remaining on Gilbert Manor property. Most residents have moved from the 67-year-old federal housing complex.
In December, the Augusta Housing Authority announced plans to sell Gilbert Manor to the Medical College of Georgia to make way for the college's expansion.
Mrs. Scruggs and other older residents are unhappy with decisions that force them to move away from the medical complex and other amenities, including churches and stores.
"It's really nothing we can do about it," said Mrs. Scruggs, a lifelong Augusta resident and member of the United House of Prayer for All People.
Her church is on Wrightsboro Road, and Mrs. Scruggs said she can walk to services if she chooses to. She and many other residents are without transportation and have valued Gilbert Manor's proximity to downtown Augusta and other retail outlets.
Though her apartment sits amid units with boarded-up windows, Mrs. Scruggs says she doesn't miss her former neighbors.
"It's been very quiet around here," said the 13-year Gilbert Manor resident, who hopes to be moved out next week.
Jacob Oglesby, the Augusta Housing Authority executive director, said he has been assured that Mrs. Scruggs and about 50 other remaining tenants will be moved by mid-June.
Optional public housing for Gilbert Manor's relocated tenants include units at Allen Homes, Olmstead Homes, Jennings Place and Oak Pointe Apartments.
Mr. Oglesby said he's aware that not all tenants are happy about the situation, but "we've tried to be fair" in matching them up with new residences.
"We agree it's disruptive to their lifestyles," he said, adding that in some cases longtime neighbors have been moved to neighboring units to maintain a semblance of familiarity.
Mary Scott, 67, has contemplated moving soon but has yet to receive an official notice.
"They haven't told me where I'll be headed," she said.
Because of physical ailments, Ms. Scott said, she prefers ground-level facilities to high-rise units.
The proximity to MCG's physical fitness facility and residence halls has helped with security around her building, she said.
"I see MCG officers making their patrols throughout the night," she said.
To date, Mr. Oglesby said, the relocation process has been smooth.
In December, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development gave the housing authority permission to sell the 15-acre, 278-unit public housing development to MCG. The property was appraised at $6.89 million.
Mr. Oglesby said the sale to the college won't be official until all tenants have been relocated from Gilbert Manor property.
Reach Timothy Cox at (706) 823-3217 or tim.cox@augustachronicle.com.
A MATTER OF TIME
JANUARY 1940: A contract is awarded in the amount of $671,500 to Claussen-Lawrence Construction of Augusta to build 278 public housing units.
APRIL 1941: The first tenants move into Gilbert Manor.
JANUARY 2007: Officials acknowledge a plan to establish a satellite campus of the Medical College of Georgia in Athens in conjunction with the University of Georgia.
AUG. 2: Amid concerns that MCG might lose facilities to Athens if it did not have room to expand, the board of the Augusta Housing Authority votes to close Gilbert Manor.
DEC. 21: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approves the sale of Gilbert Manor to MCG.
JAN. 7: The city's housing authority says 112 residents have sought section 8 waivers, which provide assistance for rental of private housing.
MARCH 8: More than 100 of the 257 families at Gilbert Manor have moved from the complex.
APRIL 28: Jacob Oglesby, the executive director of the housing authority, says roughly 50 residents will be moved by mid-June.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010. All Rights Reserved.
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I really can't imagine that a Federal Housing Project would be, "the place to be". I would like to know how much the ex-residents are paying for living expenses in their new homes.
Reality, don't you wonder what it's costing you for them to live there?
I can understand the need to help older folks, those folks who need help because of illness, disability or just down on luck and need a hand....I understand completely but to those who have used the system to enable generations need to find work in order to live there without assistance...No work no eat....Work being the key word as in to work(as to labor to toil to accomplish) Accomplishing something does not come under the heading of "venturing out daily" to deal drugs or commit crimes to supplement government assistance.... As for the elderly and disabled the Churches need to take up the slack in transportation to and from church and other places their congregation need to be taken....That comes under the heading of missions...missons work right in one's own community is a very worthwhile project...
I guess getting a job and supporting ones self is out of the question.
faithful is our god!
only the strong survive!
Wonder how proud one can be if they said they remember Gilbert Manor from the 1940s and are still living there? Thought it was suppose to be a temporary solution. Perhaps she should say thanks to all the taxpayers who have paid for her housing for the past 60 years. I think I would have a little sympathy if the residents had left, contributed to society and then had to move back, but to me looks like they have worked the system all their lives.
"premier residences"?! No wonder this is such a difficult task. When encouraging someone to achieve better for themselves it's common sense not provide for them in a manner that discourages the appreciation of what they can accomplish on their own. After all, if some will feed you steak and lobster why bother working to earn the money to buy hamburgers.
I resent my tax money going to people who live for years on the dole. I do not resent temporary help. Reprations have been going on for years to these residents and I do not believe in that either. Churchs should help people here in the USA and not all over the world. We have enough elderly and downtrodden that need the help.
I thought the premier neighborhood for blacks was the subdivision off Golden Camp Rd. That is a very nice neighborhood and it ain't free.
Augusta resident, the premier neighborhood for blacks is Bel-Air, not Bel-Meade. Bel-Air is located out near Ft. Gordon. Ride out there and see the beautiful and spacious homes.Mostly the elderly and disabled lived in Gilbert Manor.Some of these people can't scope in life--some are stressed, mental ill and some have had a tough time in life. If you are healthly and can work--praise God. Wait until the soldiers return from Iraq, you will see some of them on the streets unable to scope anymore. Gilbert Manor was the place to be for middle blacks when it was first built in 1941. Since housing was deplorable for many blacks, some moved to Sunset and Gilbert Manor for decent housing.
The place I was talking about is an old well established neighborhood with alot of older black residents, I use to deliver furniture there. I think the newer neighborhoods, black and white, are full of people deep in debt. I've always said Olmstead Homes has been refurbished and is a step up from GM.
Although public housing, subsidized by the government, may be for those temporarily on hard time, it also is very important for those who will never be able to make it on their own. Those are notably afflicted with mental illness, mental retardation, or other permanent disabilities. It is generally cheaper, as well as more humane, to have people live in public housing, pay them a small disability income, and have Medicaid/MEDICARE, than to institutionalize them. This is not to say that there are not some who abuse it. Abusers should be weeded out.
i pray for Augusta's poor. and for those of you who are more fortunate, count your blessings!!!
voiceofconcern don't you think they are poor because they are lazy and don't want to work? I became fortunate because I took what ever job I could get and earned my way. I didn't depend on anybody to do it for me. Tired of people always wanting something for nothing. Then our taxes rise and it really get's me ticked off that alot of the money is going to schools that allow the parents to let their kids drop out half way thru! A fine example these parents are making.