Augusta, GA

What if the C-SPLOST vote for a new James Brown Arena fails?

Published

1 year ago

October 16, 2023

What if the C-SPLOST vote for a new James Brown Arena fails?

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 2023 election season has begun and Augusta’s biggest item on the ballot that affects everyone in Richmond County is a possible sales tax for a new James Brown Arena.

The tax would charge half a percent on all goods that are subject to sales tax, which would be 50 cents for a $100 purchase.

But as it turns out, a no vote wouldn’t just stop the extra tax.

While some people are worried about how much money this may be taking out of tax-payer pockets, the Coliseum Authority says that if it isn’t approved now, a new arena may not be approved in many years to come, or at all.

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“This is the last bullet in our gun. We’re going to shoot it no matter what on November 7, and then the guns empty,” said Brad Usry, Vice Chairman of the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority.

From air problems to water leakage, Usry says the costs to keep up this late 1970′s pillar are growing exponentially every month.

“Or as folks like to call it, lipstick on a pig,” Usry said. ”In a lot of ways from capacity for seating, capacity for rigging, and when I say capacity of rigging I mean the weight of the shows now. We’ve lost shows, we’ve lost Lionel Richie, we lost Carrie Underwood, we lost Dave Matthews Band, because of the weight of the shows. Not the capacity.”

He says trying to put in a new arena later would be even more expensive.

“You’re talking about $250 million in today’s dollars, and next year this building’s probably $265 million. So if we don’t do it now, not only finding another funding mechanism, the building costs go up. But right now, as far as the Coliseum Authority, this is our last shot at funding the building,” said Usry.

The Coliseum Authority only expects about 8-10% of Augusta-Richmond County taxpayers to show up for this election, but want more to come out so their voices can be heard.

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Augusta, GA

Tree giveaway helps Augusta get back to normal after Helene

Published

11 hours ago

January 12, 2025

Press Room

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It’s been more than 100 days since Hurricane Helene came through our area.

Now, those in the CSRA are still cleaning up the aftermath.

On Saturday, Rooting for Augusta helped the area get back to normal.

“Every once in a while, we have a horrific event that unites us all, and we certainly had it with the storm. Everybody can agree that it’s a good thing to plant trees back in the right spots,” said Dennis Trotter with Rooting for Augusta.

Rooting for Augusta gave away 700 trees as part of the event.

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Augusta, GA

New Richmond County sheriff promotes deputies, other employees

Published

22 hours ago

January 12, 2025

Press Room

New Richmond County sheriff promotes deputies, other employees

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After swearing in 100 new deputies at the beginning of his tenure, Richmond County Sheriff Eugene Brantley also addressed promotions and appointments for those in the sheriff’s office.

It happened on Friday before the winter weather got underway and impacted the region.

Brantley spoke with us after about why the new promotions, appointments and people in the sheriff’s office will benefit the community.

“For the most part, when you’re suffering from a shortage of staff like we have been and so many other agencies in the state of Georgia and around the country, I think it is a boost in the arm to onboard 100 people to help get things that we need slow down crime and stop what is plaguing our community,” said Brantley.

Brantley said it was the first step to making the community safer.

He says he has been working on improving the jail as well.

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