North Augusta City Council voted to approve the Georgia Avenue location for its public safety headquarters during its first reading.

The council, which voted unanimously 6-0 on the first reading of the ordinance, wanted to move forward with the project after construction delays and discussing the project for close to a decade.

"At some point we just have to say, 'Let's get started," council member Eric Presnell said.

"This town does not like change," North Augusta resident Joe Holt said. "No matter what it is, it fights change. Sometimes change can be good."

Council members felt that it was time to move on and ensure that public safety officers get the headquarters they need.

"We all say we support public safety. I believe everybody in this room, and what makes this city great is that we support public safety," council member Kevin Toole said. "But how can I support public safety (while not supporting) building the site that we all agree they needed?"

The project is currently slated at the No. 1 position on North Augusta's Capital Project Sales Tax List IV with $11 million dollars.

"Our council really does care about our historical buildings. ...," Mayor Briton Williams said. "Once the property is sold, there is no control that those Flythe buildings will be saved by whoever buys them."

However, some citizens were upset at the council's decision.

Fred Ilardi, who is one of many North Augusta citizens who has continually voiced his concerns against the project for years, is frustrated that the council doesn't see eye to eye on financial issues or on the location.

"There were 14 properties or 18 properties that were evaluated for a different purpose, and now those properties have disappeared. Put them back on the table and let's see where the are," Ilardi said.