Augusta, GA

Augusta arena work brings hope to ailing Broad Street businesses

Published

4 months ago

December 23, 2025

Augusta arena work brings hope to ailing Broad Street businesses

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Work is moving along for the Augusta Arena, with less than two years remaining until the project is finished.

Funded by a half-penny sales tax approved by voters, the former James Brown Arena was torn down to make way for a space to hold more than 10,000 seats and eventually host hockey in the Garden City once again.

Officials said they have finished pouring the third level of concrete where the suites will be and are now working on the fourth level, the upper concourse.

Brad Usry, vice chairman of the Augusta Richmond County Coliseum Authority, said the progress is great after years of planning.

“In one word, it’s satisfaction. I mean, we’ve been working on this thing for over 10 years. So to finally see it going up and people seeing the fruits of our labor, it’s really nice,” Usry said.

The new Augusta Arena is starting to take shape as crews pour concrete, with the steel frame coming in a few months.

“We’re talking 900 feet long, three football fields long. The old arena was 50 feet tall. This arena is going to be close to 100 feet tall,” Usry said.

The arena’s impact could extend beyond entertainment, according to businesses on Broad Street.

Richard Sanders, manager of the Downtown Corner Store that opened this summer, said business is struggling, but the new arena could breathe life back into the area.

“A lot of the businesses that focus on either foot traffic or people just come at like, whether it’s a bar, restaurant. I mean, they’re all struggling right now,” Sanders said.

Sanders said events at venues like the Bell Auditorium already help local businesses.

“Once it opens, I mean, even when, I mean, even when they do stuff at the Bell, it helps. When they did stuff at the old Civic Center or James Brown Arena, it helped,” Sanders said.

Michael Weldon, owner of Psychotronic Records on Broad Street, said major acts bring new customers to his store.

“The first show I went to was Alice in Chains. And the last show that we went to, there was Cheap Trick and ZZ Top,” Weldon said of the former arena.

“When there’s a good show by a name artist in town, no matter where they’re playing, we get people in here that maybe are here for the first time,” Weldon said.

Usry said the project remains on time and on budget.

Source link

Augusta, GA

What is the cheapest city in Georgia to live with a roomate?

Published

9 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

What is the cheapest city in Georgia to live with a roomate?

As rent prices continue to strain budgets, a new study is highlighting where Georgians can save the most by splitting housing costs.

According to a report from SmartAsset, some cities in Georgia offer major savings for renters who choose to live with a roommate.

Here’s what to know.

Where can you save the most in Georgia?

The study ranks Augusta as the top city in Georgia for roommate savings, and No. 6 in the country.

Renters there can save about 45% on monthly rent, or roughly $450 per month, by sharing an apartment.

Here’s how the costs compare in Augusta:

One-bedroom rent: $1,000
Two-bedroom rent: $1,100
Estimated monthly savings with a roommate: $450

Why are roommate savings so high?

With rent prices rising, splitting costs has become one of the easiest ways to cut monthly expenses.

The study shows that sharing rent can significantly reduce housing costs, especially in cities where prices have climbed in recent years.

How does Georgia compare to the rest of the country?

Here’s the top 10 cities in the US for saving with a roomate:

Cleveland, OH
Baton Rouge, LA
Jersey City, NJ
Memphis, TN
Boise, ID
Augusta, GA
New Haven, CT
Chattanooga, TN
Virginia Beach, VA
Shreveport, LA

Methodology

The study analyzed 100 U.S. cities using rental data from March 2025 to March 2026 from Zumper, comparing one-bedroom rents to half the cost of two-bedroom apartments to estimate savings from sharing with a roommate.

For more information, visit smartasset.com/data-studies/roommate-savings-2026.

Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Augusta nonprofit hosts family financial literacy day

Published

21 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Augusta nonprofit hosts family financial literacy day

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Families had the chance to sharpen their money skills at a financial literacy event hosted by local nonprofit Crown Her Mentoring at the Bernie Ward Community Center.

The free event offered resources for all ages, from kids learning the basics to adults planning for their financial future.

Attendees could sit in sessions about budgeting, credit, opening banking accounts and insurance options.

Organizers said the event was designed to make financial education accessible during Financial Literacy Month.

“People need to understand the importance of a checking account, a savings account—how to manage your money. How to invest your money. People need to learn about life insurance,” said Torrecka Davis, organizer.

Crown Her Mentoring will host a mental health awareness event on May 23. Open enrollment for new mentees will begin on May 10.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Lane Bryant to close Augusta Mall store this weekend

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Lane Bryant to close Augusta Mall store this weekend

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Shoppers in Augusta will soon lose a longtime retail option, as Lane Bryant’s store inside Augusta Mall is set to close for good this weekend.

Employees at Lane Bryant inside Augusta Mall confirmed that the store will permanently close starting Sunday, April 19.

After the closure, the nearest Lane Bryant location for customers will be in Lexington.

Source link