Could Smaller TEE Center Settle Stalemate?

Augsuta, GA—It could be the move to get the TEE Center off the drawing board, and up running, next to the Marriott Hotel downtown.

“We do have the dollars available to implement it we’re talking about doing it at a smaller scale but getting the project done,” said Commissioner Corey Johnson.

Three times, the TEE Center subcommittee has met, and now some possible movement, with Commissioner Corey Johnson saying he could support the downtown site, if, instead of a $38 million TEE Center, the city use available sales tax money to build a $29 million version.

Cutting the funding would cut the size of the trade center. Studies from six years ago called for a 40,000 square-foot TEE Center, with room for expansion. So, is going smaller the best way to settle the TEE Center dispute?

“I would look at the feasibility study for the direction on that we need to build it so the market can support it,” said Convention & Visitors Bureau President Barry White.

Though some city leaders might support a smaller TEE Center, there’s still a lot of opposition to the riverfront location. The latest zing is coming from Mayor Pro-Tem Alvin Mason. He’s critical of the Mayor’s Tee Center Subcommittee for not looking seriously at other locations, like the James Brown Arena.

“The Mayor has become more of a cheerleader at the current location and I thought when we put this committee together that we would have some honest dialogue about various locations then determine what the best thing is to do,” said Mason.

Since May, the Commission has not been able to determine the best thing to do, a compromise is being proposed to scale it back, and put it downtown.

“I truly think if we’re going to get this thing rolling that’s going to be the option to go,” said Johnson.