Coliseum Authority plans to move forward with new entertainment facility

[nortonguy]

Originally Posted by cst8670

If the current arena isnt doing very well why exactly build a new one in the same area? Do we really want a repeat of the Regency Mall?

What information are you using to form your opinions? The current arena is doing better than average if Kevin Hart and John MellenCamp both came here.

The existing arena is near growth(Unisys, Marriott renovation, Woolworth, Lowery Wagon, Canalside, etc).. The Regency Mall is a struggling area and the comparison is not even remotely close.

[columbusgametro]

Originally Posted by cst8670

The CSRA could support it but the problem is not many people want to go clear downtown as its a pita to get there.
I mean sure you have river watch but you eventually have to navigate those old roads downtown and when its something like a sporting event some people like me dont want to put up with the hassle of the traffic down there.
No, they would have been better off to build the arena near 95 but its to late now unless of course they want to build a new one up near 95 like where 2nd and Charles is (which might work out for parking if they can get the Masters to let them use the parking there and provide shuttle bus service for it) or over near the Costco.

Wow if augusta downtown is that outdated then it would be best just to build it off the interstate somewhere.

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by columbusgametro

Wow if augusta downtown is that outdated then it would be best just to build it off the interstate somewhere.

What do you mean by "outdated"? And you're asking for a traffic nightmare, as well as spending more money on infrastructure, to put it near the interstate. Clearly a venue like this belongs downtown.

[columbusgametro]

Originally Posted by Mutiny77

What do you mean by "outdated"? And you're asking for a traffic nightmare, as well as spending more money on infrastructure, to put it near the interstate. Clearly a venue like this belongs downtown.

I agree it does belong downtown because that's where most cities have there arena's located. Im not from augusta or don't know anything about that city. Im just commenting on someone who said that downtown streets were too packed and too busy to have the new arena built downtown if so then have it built off the interstate somewhere. Do you know where the current arena is located in augusta and if the city is tight on money then could the city just remodel the current arena and update it.

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by columbusgametro

I agree it does belong downtown because that's where most cities have there arena's located. Im not from augusta or don't know anything about that city. Im just commenting on someone who said that downtown streets were too packed and too busy to have the new arena built downtown if so then have it built off the interstate somewhere. Do you know where the current arena is located in augusta and if the city is tight on money then could the city just remodel the current arena and update it.

That person talked about traffic downtown whenever there's an event; well duh, there will be traffic at an event at the arena if it's near the interstate too LOL. But the problem there is that there will be limited ways to get to and from an arena near the interstate which would result in worse traffic, whereas there are multiple access/egress routes in a downtown location which disperses traffic.

[whitmans77]

If not downtown then where specifically? I like it downtown an its obvious others dont mind if the right shows are brought in. They just need to start construction in the parking lot next door(so the current JBA can still host some events, yes parking would suck but we can get over it). When its done demolish it and you have great parking evenly situated between the Bell and the new JBA

[cst8670]

Originally Posted by whitmans77

If not downtown then where specifically? I like it downtown an its obvious others dont mind if the right shows are brought in. They just need to start construction in the parking lot next door(so the current JBA can still host some events, yes parking would suck but we can get over it). When its done demolish it and you have great parking evenly situated between the Bell and the new JBA

I just dont think that there is a large enough area to build downtown itself, where the pull aparts is though might work as its a pretty large property and its not to far from bobby jones and its right near the river which is a bonus for attracting people to places these days.

[Airforceguy]

Well it's official, the authority will seek $15 million in the next SPLOST package. Now it's up to the county commission to approve putting it on the project list....

Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority on Tuesday agreed to formally request $15 million in the city’s next sales tax package to help fund construction of a $110 million facility to replace the aging James Brown Arena.If the Augusta Commission authorizes including the project with the next special purpose, local option sales tax package and voters approve it Nov. 3, the money could be used to buy land for the new arena at an undetermined location in downtown Augusta, authority Chairman Cedric Johnson said.
While the new facility could be built adjoining James Brown Arena, the authority couldn’t afford to shutter the 35-year-old civic center during the approximately two years needed for construction of a new arena, Johnson said.

Coliseum Authority votes to seek $15 million in SPLOST for new Augusta arena | The Augusta Chronicle