James Brown Arena demoliton continues, all in the name of entertainment

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The demolition of the James Brown Arena continued on Tuesday.

Demolition has been happening for a few months, but it’s just now starting to be visible from the outside.

Once the old building comes down, a new James Brown Arena will be built from the bottom up.

The Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority calls this the largest project in Augusta’s history.

The idea is to keep fueling the growth coming to Augusta while creating an entertainment district people do not have to drive hours for.

“I remember being a teenager and coming downtown and there was nothing,” said Breannah Newton, director of operations of Frog Hollow Group. “Being a part of that growth and having lots of new restaurants and shops and now the development of the new JBA, it just seems like it’s a new chapter for downtown.”

It’s constantly changing towards a new, future-forward Augusta.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Brady Usry, vice president of the Coliseum Authority. “Once we get this area open this is going to be a game changer, not just for downtown but for all of Augusta.”

All in the name of entertainment, it’ll be a blockbuster leaders say you’ll want a ticket for. “You were going to a show in the old area, now you’re going to experience a show at the new area,” said Usry. “You’ll be coming down earlier, hanging out, and it will be a whole new experience. It’s a game changer.”

It is change that’s long overdue for you and those behind the counter.

“When you go downtown, you want to make an event of it so it’s not just a performance or event,” said Allen Soto, owner of Pineapple Ink. “You want dinner and drinks after so were excited, but also were excited for the out-of-town crowds it will draw because that is always good for business.”

The coliseum authority says with workers not going away anytime soon, green benefits can be seen now.

“It will be a long process but we’ve also got construction workers downtown for the next 3 years,” said Usry. “These guys have to eat lunch and stay in hotels and they aren’t all local so they will be eating and there will be a little bit of boom with construction.”

Local restaurants are also preparing to make lasting impressions.

” We are excited for people to come in from out of town and discover Pineapple Ink because we always want to put our best foot forward and show people what Augusta is all about and hopefully earn their future business,” said Soto.

If everything remains on schedule and within budget like it is now, leaders are expecting the new James Brown Arena to open its doors in 2027,

Demolition is expected to be complete by the end of February.

The new coliseum is being built thanks to Richmond County taxpayers.

It will be funded using a half-penny sales tax that passed as a referendum last year.

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