Augusta commissioners vote unanimously on JBA funding
UPDATE: NewsChannel 6 has learned that the Augusta Commission has voted unanimously to pass funding for the new James Brown Arena.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- The Garden City is one step closer to a new James Brown Arena. All that’s left is one final vote to secure funding.
Tuesday, commissioners will vote on whether to allow the Coliseum Authority to start construction on the new arena sooner rather than later.
It has passed several votes to get to this point, first through a commission committee and then through the Coliseum Authority. Now, Commissioners are voting on how the funds for the new James Brown Arena will flow.
In November, Richmond County voters approved a half-cent sales tax to pay for the new arena.
Tuesday’s vote is whether commissioners will give the Coliseum Authority access to the money to build the arena through the city, creating a checks and balances system.
In the meantime, the Bell Auditorium, that will connect with the JBA, is undergoing renovations and getting close to the finish line.
“And basically it’s going to be how the money, the $250 million bond flows from the commission to the authority or actually from a bank account to the authority. So we know that the proper checks and balances are in order,” explained Brad Usry, Vice Chair of the Augusta Coliseum Authority.
Construction on the Bell is on schedule and on budget. Usry told NewsChannel 6 that crews are working on the finer details now.
“Well, it’s all dried in and if you’ve been by there and this is a beautiful brickwork that actually looks like the curtains opening, which is kind of exciting. But yeah, they’re getting into some details now,” said Usry.
The Bell Auditorium is expected to be finished by the beginning of May. Commissioners will vote Tuesday at their regular meeting at 2 p.m. If approved, work is expected to begin on the new arena by the end of summer.
Photojournalist: Dania Alawir.
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