Augusta, GA

Excitement builds downtown for Bell Auditorium reopening

Published

9 months ago

April 27, 2024

Excitement builds downtown for Bell Auditorium reopening

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – On May 28, the newly renovated Bell Auditorium will be unveiled, with the project now in the home stretch.

As the Bell reopens for its first show on May 31, the James Brown Arena nearby will soon close for construction when the groundbreaking for a new arena takes place in early June.

With the arena closing, it may seem like entertainment crowds heading to downtown may slow down, but Brad Usry, co-chair of the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority, says otherwise.

“I think the economic boom is going to start with the construction, and on the other side with the Bell, we have promoters wanting to come in this building and we’ve got some shows from the horizon that we haven’t announced yet,” he said. “I think the city is going to be really excited about it.”

Sports Center Bar and Grill is only a half-mile away from the James Brown Arena and Bell Auditorium. They see the construction crews coming to town as a good thing.

“I think that the construction workers will be the first I guess, boom, you know. The great thing is, all it takes is one guy,” said Sawyer Whatley, a Sports Center employee. “One guy, he’s gonna come here for lunch, and tell the guys when he goes back like, ‘Hey, man, you want a burger. I got just a spot.’”

The authority oversees the Bell as well as the James Brown Arena next door, which will be replaced with a new arena funded by a sales tax that just took effect a few days ago.

This is what The Lenox will look like once it's built.

The Bell reopens just as city leaders are discussing establishing a downtown entertainment district, which some people think will be just the extra lift the whole effort needs.

Toast of Augusta says the opening of the Bell will bring people in the doors.

“As long as the attractions are there and they are looking like they’re supposed to bring their people down here. Yeah, absolutely. It’d be beneficial for all business owners downtown. If it’s not any traffic traffic is on there or they’re not doing anything with it. Of course, it’s not a benefit to any type of business. But as long as they’re booking and doing what they’re supposed to to keep the business going for themselves it’ll overflow to us downtown people,” said Dominick Cartrell, owner of Toast of Augusta.

It’s adding more to downtown and bringing in more to the area.

“Between Augusta University, the Cyber Center, and all the residential going up, it’s time for us to kind of up our game in downtown Augusta,” Augusta Commission member Sean Franton said last week.

Cartrell said some items need to be addressed before the business boom takes full effect.

“People want to be secure where they go, and that’s one that’s number one. Parking number two and number three, I think they will be very beneficial for being down here. I don’t see a problem with it at all. I think it’s gonna be a massive overflow, especially in the James Brown arena starts,” said Cartrell.

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Augusta, GA

Crosstown showdown rescheduled: Augusta and USC-Aiken to play Sunday

Published

3 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

Crosstown showdown rescheduled: Augusta and USC-Aiken to play Sunday

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The basketball doubleheader featuring both Augusta University and University of South Carolina Aiken has been moved to Sunday.

The two were originally slated to play on Saturday afternoon.

The women’s game will tipoff at 1:30 p.m., and the men’s will follow at 3:30 p.m in the USC Aiken Convocation Center.

Both the Pacers and Jags men’s team last played on Feb. 10 2024.

AU climbed to a 5-point lead in the final period, winning 98-93.

Prior to their last meeting, USC Aiken had a four-game win streak over the Jags.

Sunday will mark the 89th meeting between the two programs.

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Augusta, GA

Winter weather causes crashes across CSRA on slick roads

Published

15 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Winter weather causes crashes across CSRA on slick roads

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Multiple cars crashed due to winter weather conditions on I-20 in the CSRA early Friday morning, according to authorities.

On I-20 in Augusta, the road conditions at the Washington Road exit were hazardous, according to our reporter on the interstate.

Our reporter saw another wreck on the Bobby Jones overpass from I-520 to I-20 at 10:35 a.m. We’ve reached out to learn more.

Across the river, on I-20 westbound just before mile marker 4, multiple vehicles were pulled over after a car carrier crash around 10 a.m. in Aiken County.

On I-20 westbound just before mile marker 4, multiple vehicles were pulled over after a car carrier crash around 10 a.m. in Aiken County.

We have reached out to learn more.

Dispatch told us crews were on the scene of a multiple-car crash on I-20 eastbound at the Walton Way extension ramp at 9:25 a.m.

Officials say at least two vehicles were involved, but more were reported, and they are unsure how many exactly.

They did however say more vehicles became involved after sliding on the road from weather conditions.

Dispatch says they are unsure of any injuries or if any lanes were blocked.

Augusta, GA

Wayfair Outlet store opens at the Augusta Exchange

Published

23 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Wayfair Outlet store opens at the Augusta Exchange

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The new Wayfair outlet is now open at the Augusta Exchange.

You will be able to find furniture and home décor at the location that used to be a Buy Buy Baby store.

It’s the latest store to open in the Augusta area.

One customer we spoke with says he thinks the store will be here for a while as it brings something different to the area.

“People are here spending money and they are here to make their house look better. I never thought I would be a dude in his 40s in an outlet, me in an outlet. But I did it today and I think it’s good,” said Carlton Ferguson.

It’s welcome news for fans of the Augusta Exchange, which has seen a bevy of closures in the past couple of years, including Subway, Genghis Grill, O’Charley’s, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Buy Buy Baby and Christmas Tree Shops.

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