Could Arena Site Save TEE Center?

Augusta, GA—The James Brown Arena was not the first choice for the TEE Center, but some believe it could be the only choice if the project is going to be built.

“I see it as dead in the water as a practical matter and a political matter I don’t see six votes to move the matter along,” said former Augusta Mayor Bob Young.

Young was involved in the initial planning for the trade center, and is suggesting taking the $20 million voters approved in the 2005 sales tax and expand the current exhibition space at the arena for a trade center.

Young is not sure if a TEE center would work at the Augusta Entertainment Complex, but he knows what’s going on now is not working. “I think they ought to talk about it what else are you going to do you can either not do it or look at some other alternative,” he said.

Young feels, with the new board at the arena, the public would support putting the TEE Center there.

Hap Harris is a member of the new Augusta Coliseum Authority. He hasn’t talked to Young about the TEE Center, but would support any plans to get it built.

“Whatever the math is that makes it work that brings us one to Augusta…if all the math works out, and that’s a good spot, and it will work…that’s a good thing,” said Harris.

In 2007, Commissioners approved building the trade center next to the Marriott Hotel, off Reynolds Street, so city leaders would have to re-vote to build it at the James Brown Arena.

“I think it’s something that could be done. In fact, I think it’s something that should be done…we utilize our existing assets, we don’t cause any additional dollars for the taxpayers, we have the parking, we have the real estate,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Alvin Mason.

“If it turns out we can put it at the Civic Center and still get the hotels to come downtown and be somewhere in the proximity, I think it’s the right thing to do,” said Commissioner Joe Bowles.

Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau President Barry White says the James Brown Arena was studied as a possible site, but it was determined next to the current city conference center is the best location for the TEE Center.

White added it’s been two years since Commissioners approved the location, and architects are finishing the design. He says it’s “well past the time to be considering an alternative location.”