Community Divided Over Proposed Health Center Near School

News Summary

North Augusta is embroiled in a heated debate over a proposed mental health and substance use treatment facility at the former Belvedere United Methodist Church. Parents and community members have expressed strong concerns about the center’s location near Belvedere Elementary School, citing safety risks for children. A public listening session on April 28 saw approximately 50 attendees voicing their opposition, prompting a petition that garnered nearly 500 signatures. Local officials emphasize the need for accessible mental health services while addressing the community’s safety worries.

North Augusta is at the center of a heated debate over the proposed location for a new community health center that aims to provide mental health and substance use treatment services. The facility is to be situated at the former Belvedere United Methodist Church, located directly across from Belvedere Elementary School at 202 Rhomboid Pl. Community members have expressed strong concerns regarding the implications of having a mental health facility in such close proximity to a school.

At a public listening session held on April 28, 2025, at Belvedere Elementary, approximately 50 people gathered to voice their opinions and concerns regarding the proposed health center. The parents particularly highlighted safety issues, questioning the appropriateness of placing mental health services near a school for young children. Various community members articulated worries about the safety of their children, emphasizing that their focus should be on their children’s well-being while at school.

Aiken County Councilman Sandy Haskell was present during the session and heard the vocal opposition from the community regarding the proposed site. The health center is backed by the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, with officials arguing that co-locating treatment services can enhance accessibility to mental health care within the community. The center aims to provide vital services, including basic health department vaccinations, mental health counseling, substance use assessments, and recovery coaching to support individuals in their journey toward better health.

However, fears about the lack of safety resources near the school have intensified, as Belvedere Elementary currently does not have a resource officer, unlike other schools in the North Augusta area. This absence raises additional alarms among parents regarding the safety of their children should the facility be established. In light of these concerns, a petition opposing the health center’s location circulated within the community, garnering nearly 500 signatures.

Concerns were also raised regarding potential traffic increases around the school premises resulting from the health center. Parents and local residents indicated that additional congestion could further jeopardize their children’s safety in a school zone. Critics argue that alternative locations for the mental health facility exist, which would avoid conflicts with educational spaces altogether.

Responding to the community backlash, South Carolina Senator Shane Massey requested the public input session following strong criticism regarding the rezoning of the church property for the health center. The Aiken County Board of Education has expressed its hopes for reconsideration of the proposed site, taking into account lingering safety fears from school administration and parents alike.

Despite opposition from community members regarding the location, authorities stressed the importance of mental health treatment accessibility. Heightened issues concerning untreated mental health and substance use disorders have been apparent, with communities facing the consequences of inadequate care options. Furthermore, the local school district is struggling with a shortage of School Resource Officers, with only 17 officers available to serve the 32 schools in the area. Efforts are ongoing to secure more SRO positions through state grants, yet resources remain limited due to a national shortage of law enforcement personnel.

The community remains divided on the issue, balancing the undeniable necessity for mental health services against the appropriateness of placing such facilities so close to schools where children learn and grow. With the rezoning process completed but the debate far from over, it is clear that this topic will continue to evoke strong sentiments and concerns from all sides in the North Augusta area.

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Additional Resources

• Post and Courier: North Augusta Belvedere School Substance Use Mental Health Center
• WJBF: Parents and Neighbors Concerned About Possible Mental Health Clinic
• WRDW: Concerns Raised Over Plans for Mental Health Facility Near Local School
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Mental Health
• The Baltimore Banner: Safe Streets No Homicides
• Google Search: Mental Health Facilities