James Brown Arena: Reshaping entertainment in downtown Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Now that officials broke ground for the new James Brown Arena project, the goal is to reshape how people watch entertainment in downtown Augusta.
The Godfather of Soul’s building is getting a remix.
The James Brown Arena will be torn down next month and rebuilt with money from the half-penny sales tax voters approved last November.
The groundbreaking comes after the JBA closed its doors for the near future back in May.
This is a project more than 10 years in the making.
It won’t be long until the JBA and the Bell Auditorium are connected, bringing you what leaders are calling an unforgettable entertainment experience.
The project is looking to reshape how people watch entertainment in downtown Augusta.
“We’ve had the shows here, the Elton John’s of the world. Lionel Richie, The Commodores, Lady A, they’ve all been here. So it’s time to break ground with a new generation of artists,” said Brad Usry, the vice-chairman of the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority.
On the set list for the biggest project in Augusta history, is a new JBA standing 10 stories tall with a width of three football fields.
“If you drive by now, it’s 50 feet tall. That’s gonna be 100 feet tall. So that’s double the height. It’ll run from Telfair Street basically to Fenwick. So it’s gonna be a massive structure, very impressive for the town. I think this is just the beginning of what you’re gonna see happening in Augusta,” said Usry.
The Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority started collecting C-SPLOST tax money to pay for the arena back in March.
A new James Brown Arena is coming after 66% of voters said yes to a half-penny sales tax that’s now in effect.
The authority is looking to fund the project with a bond that is not tax-exempt for fewer restrictions.
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“We will have concessions. The taste of Augusta. Actually, local restaurants will have a say so within the concessions here. I think you’ll come to the shows an hour earlier instead of showing up right at showtime to maybe have dinner and a drink,” said Usry.
Plans for the new arena do not raise property taxes.
Leaders say this new project won’t just bring more seating, better restrooms, and technology. It will generate $1.6 billion for our economy and create 600 permanent jobs.
“We knew this project was necessary and needed and we’re here today because I think the community understood that,” said Usry.
And now the work begins.
“By August 1, you’ll see some demolition. It may not be on the exterior, it would be on the interior first because we’re going to try to recycle as much of this as we can. So we’re not hauling off materials and use what we can and then in that new building,” said Usry.
Once everything is flat, they say it will take anywhere from two to three years to complete.
But once it’s here, they say you won’t have to travel far for unforgettable entertainment.
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