Leaders meet to discuss upcoming plans for James Brown Arena

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Governor Brian Kemp signed a invoice to create a particular gross sales tax to go in direction of the funding of a brand new James Brown Enviornment.

Now it simply wants voters’ approval in November. The Coliseum Authority held its first assembly because the huge information.

Leaders are excited in regards to the future and what’s to come back with your entire leisure advanced. They’re assured voters will agree this time.

It’s 40 years previous, and it isn’t growing older gracefully.

“We don’t have the rigging of the capability. While you take a look at the bogs and the stream. Of the concourse, we’re simply not broad sufficient to serve immediately’s wants,” mentioned Cedric Johnson, Coliseum Authority Chairman.

Johnson says further funds from a earlier SPLOST allowed them to get began with the Bell Auditorium portion of the venture.

“We’ve been good stewards of the cash that has been given to us. We’ve got proven that by not ready for the James Brown Enviornment to start out however going forward and utilizing these funds we had within the financial institution to start out on the Bell. Do the issues that we’re going to do on the Bell,” he mentioned.

The Bell Auditorium will cease having exhibits on July 1 for renovations. This portion of the venture is predicted to take a yr.

The subsequent step falls on voters to approve in November. Voters turned down the venture again in 2021 when the funding was tied to property taxes.

“We wish individuals to know it’s extra than simply simply construct an enviornment. But it surely’s extra of an training of getting individuals perceive that if we don’t do that, then Augusta gained’t have an enviornment,” mentioned Johnson.

The Coliseum Authority accepted $65,000 to go in direction of training supplies so voters will perceive what they’re voting for. If voters do approve the James Brown Enviornment venture, development will begin in 2024.

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