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James Brown Arena

January 31, 2023

James Brown Arena (formerly known as Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center) is a multi-purpose complex located in Augusta, Georgia. It is managed by Spectra Experiences.

James Brown Arena
Former namesAugusta-Richmond County Civic Center (1980–2006)
Location601 7th Street
Augusta, GA 30901
OwnerAugusta–Richmond County Coliseum Authority
OperatorGlobal Spectrum
Capacity9,167
6,557 (hockey)
7,255 (basketball)
Construction
Broke ground1968
Opened1974 (Exhibition hall)
January 24, 1980 (Arena)[1]
Construction cost$11 million[2]
($60.4 million in 2021 dollars[3])
ArchitectPei Cobb Freed & Partners
Holroyd, Johnson, Hughes, Beattie & Davis[4]
Structural engineerLeMessurier Associates[4]
Services engineerCosentini Associates LLP[4]
Tenants
Augusta Lynx (ECHL) (1998–2008)
Augusta Stallions (af2) (2000–2002)
Augusta Spartans (AIFL/WIFL) (2006–2007)
Augusta RiverHawks (SPHL) (2010–2013)
James Brown Arena in 2017

It features an 8,000-seat arena, renamed the James Brown Arena, in honor of musician James Brown on August 22, 2006. The complex also features a 2,800-seat theater, the William B. Bell Auditorium, and a 14,500-square-foot (1,350 m2) exhibit hall that opens into a 23,000-square-foot (2,100 m2) arena floor.

The James Brown Arena is the former home of the ECHL's Augusta Lynx from 1998–2008, the AF2's Augusta Stallions from 2000–2002, Augusta Spartans from 2006-2007, and the Southern Professional Hockey League's Augusta RiverHawks from 2010–2013.

The Arena hosted UFC 11.

The arena has also hosted many concerts and pro wrestling events, including ECW's December to Dismember in 2006. Many bands have played the arena including Van Halen, Rush, Heart, Bob Seger, REO Speedwagon, KISS, Bon Jovi, Molly Hatchet, John Cougar, Kansas, Charlie Daniels Band, Alabama, Blackfoot, Mother's Finest, Ratt, Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, Cheap Trick, Marshall Tucker Band, and Loverboy.

The center-hung Fair Play scoreboard dates to the arena's opening in 1980, and in recent years has been joined by additional scoreboards and a Trans-Lux LED video display which can be found at each end of the arena.

The Future of the Arena

 
Local high school students attend CSRA College Night at the James Brown Arena.

In August 2017, the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority voted 4-2 to relocate the James Brown Arena to the former Regency Mall location off on Gordon Highway in South Augusta. The proposed site called for a new development at the Regency Mall site called Regency Town Center & Park. The development would feature a new James Brown Arena, new retail shops and restaurants, and new apartments as well. Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis was a key proponent of the move as he pushed for more redevelopment efforts in the Gordon Highway area in an area he called SOGO (South of Gordon Highway).[5] Soon following the Coliseum Authority's vote, local residents launched the "Save The J" campaign which advocated for keeping the James Brown Arena at its current location in Downtown Augusta.

Augusta commissioners voted down the proposed site in a December 2017 before ultimately deciding to put the question of the new JBA location on the Republican and Democratic primary ballots as a non-binding referendum in May 2018. Augustans voted 57% to 43% to keep the JBA at its current location in Downtown Augusta.[6]

Plans soon began to be developed for a new James Brown Arena to be constructed on the current site before plans were revealed in early 2021 for a new arena. The new arena plans call for a 10,000 seat capacity featuring meeting rooms, twelve suites, and a new connector between the Bell Auditorium and the James Brown Arena all with an estimated cost of $228 million for construction.[7]

The new James Brown Arena was on the November 2021 ballot for a bond referendum vote. Had the bond referendum passed, the estimated time of completion would have been Fall 2024.[8][9] Despite low voter turnout, the bond referendum was rejected, forcing the Coliseum Authority to look for alternate sources of funding.[10]

Incidents

In late February 2013, the arena's ice system malfunctioned, causing all of the arena's ice to melt. As a result, following the playing of the remaining 2012-13 regular season home games at the RiverHawks practice facility, the Augusta RiverHawks suspended operations for the 2013-14 season. After team owner Bob Kerzner, the city of Augusta, and Global Spectrum failed to reach an agreement on how to replace the $1.2 million ice system as well as compensation for the remaining home games lost to the system's failure, Kerzner and the SPHL announced that the RiverHawks would move to Macon and resume play as the Macon Mayhem for the 2015-16 SPHL season.[11][12]

On November 18, 2022, the arena was evacuated before a concert was scheduled to begin after a gas leak was discovered, which resulted in the death of a maintenance worker who was servicing the arena's HVAC system.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Center Opening". Waycross Journal. January 12, 1980.
  2. ^ "Civic Center Hope of Downtown, Says Charlotte Coliseum Official". The Rock Hill Herald. July 2, 1973.
  3. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c . Archived from the original on 2012-03-07. Retrieved 2011-09-23.
  5. ^ Turner, Stephanie. "Regency Mall site eyed for proposed James Brown Arena relocation". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  6. ^ McCord, Susan. "Downtown arena 'yes' votes prevail". Athens Banner-Herald. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  7. ^ Reichard, Kevin (2020-09-19). "New James Brown Arena design unveiled". Arena Digest. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  8. ^ Harris, Kennedi. "Construction plans unveiled for new James Brown Arena". www.wrdw.com. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  9. ^ "Home". The New James Brown Arena. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  10. ^ "Richmond County voters reject funding new James Brown Arena". Augusta Chronicle. November 2, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  11. ^ Seibel, Ron. . Macon Telegraph. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  12. ^ "SPHL Approves RiverHawks' Move To Macon, GA For 2015-2016 Season". The SPHL. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  13. ^ Rioux, William (November 18, 2022). "Many details still unknown about JBA gas leak that killed 1". WRDW-TV. Retrieved November 21, 2022.

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to James Brown Arena.
  • Official website
  • Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center at Pei Cobb Freed & Partners Architects LLP

Coordinates: 33°28′12″N 81°57′59″W / 33.47000°N 81.96639°W / 33.47000; -81.96639

January 31, 2023
james, brown, arena, formerly, known, augusta, richmond, county, civic, center, multi, purpose, complex, located, augusta, georgia, managed, spectra, experiences, former, namesaugusta, richmond, county, civic, center, 1980, 2006, location601, streetaugusta, 30. James Brown Arena formerly known as Augusta Richmond County Civic Center is a multi purpose complex located in Augusta Georgia It is managed by Spectra Experiences James Brown ArenaFormer namesAugusta Richmond County Civic Center 1980 2006 Location601 7th StreetAugusta GA 30901OwnerAugusta Richmond County Coliseum AuthorityOperatorGlobal SpectrumCapacity9 1676 557 hockey 7 255 basketball ConstructionBroke ground1968Opened1974 Exhibition hall January 24 1980 Arena 1 Construction cost 11 million 2 60 4 million in 2021 dollars 3 ArchitectPei Cobb Freed amp PartnersHolroyd Johnson Hughes Beattie amp Davis 4 Structural engineerLeMessurier Associates 4 Services engineerCosentini Associates LLP 4 TenantsAugusta Lynx ECHL 1998 2008 Augusta Stallions af2 2000 2002 Augusta Spartans AIFL WIFL 2006 2007 Augusta RiverHawks SPHL 2010 2013 James Brown Arena in 2017 It features an 8 000 seat arena renamed the James Brown Arena in honor of musician James Brown on August 22 2006 The complex also features a 2 800 seat theater the William B Bell Auditorium and a 14 500 square foot 1 350 m2 exhibit hall that opens into a 23 000 square foot 2 100 m2 arena floor The James Brown Arena is the former home of the ECHL s Augusta Lynx from 1998 2008 the AF2 s Augusta Stallions from 2000 2002 Augusta Spartans from 2006 2007 and the Southern Professional Hockey League s Augusta RiverHawks from 2010 2013 The Arena hosted UFC 11 The arena has also hosted many concerts and pro wrestling events including ECW s December to Dismember in 2006 Many bands have played the arena including Van Halen Rush Heart Bob Seger REO Speedwagon KISS Bon Jovi Molly Hatchet John Cougar Kansas Charlie Daniels Band Alabama Blackfoot Mother s Finest Ratt Motley Crue Def Leppard Cheap Trick Marshall Tucker Band and Loverboy The center hung Fair Play scoreboard dates to the arena s opening in 1980 and in recent years has been joined by additional scoreboards and a Trans Lux LED video display which can be found at each end of the arena Contents 1 The Future of the Arena 2 Incidents 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksThe Future of the Arena Edit Local high school students attend CSRA College Night at the James Brown Arena In August 2017 the Augusta Richmond County Coliseum Authority voted 4 2 to relocate the James Brown Arena to the former Regency Mall location off on Gordon Highway in South Augusta The proposed site called for a new development at the Regency Mall site called Regency Town Center amp Park The development would feature a new James Brown Arena new retail shops and restaurants and new apartments as well Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis was a key proponent of the move as he pushed for more redevelopment efforts in the Gordon Highway area in an area he called SOGO South of Gordon Highway 5 Soon following the Coliseum Authority s vote local residents launched the Save The J campaign which advocated for keeping the James Brown Arena at its current location in Downtown Augusta Augusta commissioners voted down the proposed site in a December 2017 before ultimately deciding to put the question of the new JBA location on the Republican and Democratic primary ballots as a non binding referendum in May 2018 Augustans voted 57 to 43 to keep the JBA at its current location in Downtown Augusta 6 Plans soon began to be developed for a new James Brown Arena to be constructed on the current site before plans were revealed in early 2021 for a new arena The new arena plans call for a 10 000 seat capacity featuring meeting rooms twelve suites and a new connector between the Bell Auditorium and the James Brown Arena all with an estimated cost of 228 million for construction 7 The new James Brown Arena was on the November 2021 ballot for a bond referendum vote Had the bond referendum passed the estimated time of completion would have been Fall 2024 8 9 Despite low voter turnout the bond referendum was rejected forcing the Coliseum Authority to look for alternate sources of funding 10 Incidents EditIn late February 2013 the arena s ice system malfunctioned causing all of the arena s ice to melt As a result following the playing of the remaining 2012 13 regular season home games at the RiverHawks practice facility the Augusta RiverHawks suspended operations for the 2013 14 season After team owner Bob Kerzner the city of Augusta and Global Spectrum failed to reach an agreement on how to replace the 1 2 million ice system as well as compensation for the remaining home games lost to the system s failure Kerzner and the SPHL announced that the RiverHawks would move to Macon and resume play as the Macon Mayhem for the 2015 16 SPHL season 11 12 On November 18 2022 the arena was evacuated before a concert was scheduled to begin after a gas leak was discovered which resulted in the death of a maintenance worker who was servicing the arena s HVAC system 13 See also Edit State of Georgia portalJames Brown statue Imperial Theatre Augusta Georgia References Edit Center Opening Waycross Journal January 12 1980 Civic Center Hope of Downtown Says Charlotte Coliseum Official The Rock Hill Herald July 2 1973 1634 1699 McCusker J J 1997 How Much Is That in Real Money A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States Addenda et Corrigenda PDF American Antiquarian Society 1700 1799 McCusker J J 1992 How Much Is That in Real Money A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States PDF American Antiquarian Society 1800 present Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Consumer Price Index estimate 1800 Retrieved April 16 2022 a b c Pei Cobb Freed amp Partners Archived from the original on 2012 03 07 Retrieved 2011 09 23 Turner Stephanie Regency Mall site eyed for proposed James Brown Arena relocation Post and Courier Retrieved 2021 09 05 McCord Susan Downtown arena yes votes prevail Athens Banner Herald Retrieved 2021 09 05 Reichard Kevin 2020 09 19 New James Brown Arena design unveiled Arena Digest Retrieved 2021 09 05 Harris Kennedi Construction plans unveiled for new James Brown Arena www wrdw com Retrieved 2021 09 05 Home The New James Brown Arena Retrieved 2021 09 05 Richmond County voters reject funding new James Brown Arena Augusta Chronicle November 2 2021 Retrieved July 7 2022 Seibel Ron Macon Mayhem to hit ice in 2015 Macon Telegraph Archived from the original on 14 July 2014 Retrieved 25 June 2014 SPHL Approves RiverHawks Move To Macon GA For 2015 2016 Season The SPHL Retrieved 25 June 2014 Rioux William November 18 2022 Many details still unknown about JBA gas leak that killed 1 WRDW TV Retrieved November 21 2022 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to James Brown Arena Official website Augusta Richmond County Civic Center at Pei Cobb Freed amp Partners Architects LLPEvents and tenantsPreceded byFair Park ArenaDothan Civic Center Ultimate Fighting Championship venueUFC 11UFC 13 Succeeded byFair Park ArenaBoutwell Memorial Auditorium Coordinates 33 28 12 N 81 57 59 W 33 47000 N 81 96639 W 33 47000 81 96639 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title James Brown Arena amp oldid 1134831921, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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