Lara Dua-Swartz

Program Director and Content Strategist at WUGA-FM (Athens, GA)

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wuga.org

athensceo.com

Articles

Mayor Girtz on the budget he thinks will steer county through uncertainty

4 weeks ago | wuga.org | Lara Dua-Swartz

Athens-Clarke County’s yearly budget may be the most important document the Commission passes all year. Mayor Kelly Girtz released his recommended budget in late April for the Commission to review. I sat down with him to discuss what he decided to prioritize—and how economic uncertainty has played a role in the document’s drafting. Here’s that conversation.
Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission approve special use permit for Saye building lot

1 month ago | wuga.org | Lara Dua-Swartz

At Tuesday night’s meeting, the Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission voted to approve Athens First United Methodist Church’s request for a special use permit for 110 W. Hancock Street, the site of the 100-year-old Saye building. With the special-use permit, the church will be able to replace the Saye with 12 parking spaces. Lawyer Edward Tolley, speaking on behalf of Athens First United Methodist Church, praised the proposed parking lot plan, calling it a beautification effort for that corner.
PROGRAMMING CHANGE: This Old House Radio Hour

1 month ago | wuga.org | Lara Dua-Swartz

We are excited to bring a brand new show to WUGA - This Old House Radio Hour!This Old House has been a trusted name in home improvement for decades and now, it's on the radio! Hosted by Jenn Largesse and featuring all of your favorite This Old House experts, each episode will be a unique blend of creative storytelling and practical advice.
ACC Planning Commission votes to deny special permit to replace Saye building with parking lot

1 month ago | wuga.org | Lara Dua-Swartz

At their meeting April 3rd, the Athens-Clarke County Planning Commission unanimously voted to deny Athens First United Methodist Church’s application for a special use permit. The Church is trying to obtain a special use permit so they can replace the historic Saye building at the corner of Lumpkin and Hancock with a parking lot. They have been pursuing this request since 2018.
West Broad/West Hancock roundabout finally moves forward after vote postponed

1 month ago | wuga.org | Lara Dua-Swartz

Tuesday night, at a special called session, the Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission voted to approve the next phase of the West Broad St/West Hancock roundabout project. This issue turned out to be somewhat contentious at the Commission’s regular session back on April 1st. The vote was to approve Sub-Project #1, which involves Right of Way acquisition and eminent domain. While eminent domain may need to be used for the project, only small slivers of land are needed – not entire properties.
Saye building one step closer to demolition after Commission decision

2 months ago | wuga.org | Lara Dua-Swartz

At Tuesday night’s regular session, the Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission voted to remove the historic Saye Building from the West Downtown Historic District. The 100-year-old Saye building at the corner of Lumpkin and Hancock has been targeted for demolition since 2018. Athens First United Methodist Church, who owns the Saye, has maintained that the building is not salvageable. The Church wants to demolish it in favor of 12 parking spaces.
The Saye Building - Episode 3 - The Twists

2 months ago | wuga.org | Lara Dua-Swartz

The establishment of the West Downtown Historic District should have settled the situation. But it didn't. Follow the twists and turns this story has taken and catch up to where we are now as of March 31, 2025. The Mayor and Commission will vote on the fate of the Saye at their meeting on April 1, 2025. There will be an opportunity for community members from both sides to speak beforehand. The Saye Building
The Saye Building - Episode 2 - The West Downtown Historic District

2 months ago | wuga.org | Lara Dua-Swartz

Athens First United Methodist Church's demolition application was denied in 2020 on the basis that the property was part of the West Downtown Historic District. But, when the Church applied for the demo permit back in 2018, the W. Downtown Historic District didn't exist yet. Here's how that happened. The Saye Building
Down In It: historic preservationists clash with local church

2 months ago | wuga.org | Lara Dua-Swartz

Historic Preservationists want to save the 100-year-old Saye Building on the corner of Lumpkin and Hancock. Athens First United Methodist Church wants to demolish it for a parking lot. It seems like a pretty straightforward story, but is it? WUGA's Lara Dua-Swartz explores the story in the new 3-part podcast from WUGA, Down In it. Here is the first episode. Episodes 1 and 2 are now available on Apple and Spotify and at WUGA.org.
Athens News Matters for March 21st, 2025

2 months ago | wuga.org | Lara Dua-Swartz

Down In It: historic preservationists clash with local churchHistoric Preservationists want to save the 100-year-old Saye Building on the corner of Lumpkin and Hancock. Athens First United Methodist Church wants to demolish it for a parking lot. It seems like a pretty straightforward story, but is it? WUGA's Lara Dua-Swartz explores the story in the new 3-part podcast from WUGA, Down In it. Here is the first episode. Episodes 1 and 2 are now available on Apple and Spotify and at WUGA.org.