Bell Auditorium breaks ground ahead of major renovations

(AUGUSTA, GA) – One in all Augusta’s oldest functioning leisure venues is getting some upgrades. A groundbreaking on the Bell Auditorium was held Friday. The sights and sounds of development crews fill Augusta’s leisure district at the moment, however quickly, there might be musical performers and different acts returning to a newly renovated and expanded Bell Auditorium.

“The constructing behind me isn’t just a construction. It’s an asset,” stated Coliseum Authority Vice President Brad Usry.
The over-80-year-old Bell Auditorium has seen its share of performers, together with Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, KISS, and Augusta’s personal James Brown. A pillar in Augusta’s historical past.  “It’s a chance—a spot for folks to assemble and luxuriate in music, comedy, and dance,” stated Usry.

Performances within the Backyard Metropolis additionally profit the native economic system. In line with Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, greater than 60-percent of enterprise homeowners surveyed say the Bell Auditorium and neighboring James Brown Enviornment have an effect on their backside line.  “We’d like these services. They help within the retention and attraction of expertise that we want for our companies. They’re such an integral a part of our financial prosperity,” stated Metro Chamber of Commerce President Sue Parr.
As for this challenge’s backside line, its 17-and-a-half-million-dollar development prices are funded by SPLOST. The work might be accomplished by native corporations, J&B Development and McKnight Development.  “91% of the renovation prices will keep in our neighborhood,” stated Usry.

The plans embody expanded VIP choices, restaurant and concession areas, and a five-thousand-square-foot grand foyer.  “The Bell Auditorium will change into a magnet for top-tier expertise, new experiences, and reminiscences that may final a lifetime,” stated Usry.  Augusta residents will have the ability to vote this November for SPLOST funding devoted to James Brown Enviornment.

“This can be a nice use of taxpayer cash to assist present a venue that not solely will serve us in the present day however effectively into the long run,” stated Mayor Professional Tem Brandon Garrett.
“The Bell Auditorium has supplied leisure for many people for a lot of generations. I’m excited in the present day that we are going to proceed the custom with in the present day’s groundbreaking. Increasing its presence, increasing its magnificence, in order that for a lot of generations to come back, we will proceed to get pleasure from it,” stated Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson.

The Bell Auditorium will shut on July 1 to start this enlargement and renovation challenge.