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Macon-Bibb County will have to weigh its options on how to solve issues plaguing the historic downtown building that's a popular venue for concerts and other large events. On Tuesday, county commissioners heard from several people who said they were concerned about some of the problems they've faced while renting the auditorium, which sits at the corner of First Street and Cherry Street Lane.
The County Commission likely will vote on a resolution later this month that would provide $150,000 for some immediate upgrades to the building while they search for a long-term solution. Andy Ambrose, executive director of the Tubman Museum, said it's unfortunate that a building the caliber of the City Auditorium, built in 1923, has so many problems. Among the issues mentioned Tuesday were a leaky roof, mold and peeling wallpaper. It also is not fully handicap accessible.
Two weeks ago when the auditorium hosted the All that Jazz concert and ball, there were broken tables, moldy and dusty curtains and a dance floor in need of polishing, said Harold Young, the Tubman's special events manager.
"If you take a tour of the facility in the daylight, you'd be surprised with what bad shape it's in," Ambrose said during a Tuesday commission committee meeting.
One way to fund some of the repairs could be through a future special purpose local option sales tax, Mayor Robert Reichert said.
"Maybe this will be an appropriate time to consider adding it to the SPLOST list," he said.
Artists using the auditorium and people paying for tickets aren't getting the experience they deserve, said Justin Andrews, with the Otis Redding Foundation and the Macon Pops board.
He also said it would be better for renters to have more control over the food served at the facility and for there to be an improved relationship with management.
"We can't represent Macon having our main concert facility in such horrible condition," Andrews said.
I have a feeling this may be one of the projects on the SPLOST list.
The ONLY way this gets done is a SPLOST. I agree that it will most certainly be one of the projects. However, I think Noble needs to no longer manage it. The way that contract reads is fishy to me....you book, but if you lose money the city covers it. Surely we can do better than that.
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