The Augusta Commission voted Tuesday to draft a letter of support to keep the name “James Brown Arena” for the city’s new event facility.
The unanimous vote followed lengthy criticism from Commissioner Alvin Mason over efforts by the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority and Oak View Group to market the facility as the “New Augusta Arena.”
The temporary label is believed to position the venue for corporate naming rights.
Mason said the use of James Brown’s name was central to the campaign to pass the 2023 referendum authorizing a new sales tax to issue $250 million in bonds to build the new arena, calling the proposed rebranding a “fraudulent intent.”
The name was prominently used in marketing materials and community meetings, particularly to mobilize African-American voters, he said.
Mayor Garnett Johnson and other commissioners, including Brandon Garrett, voiced agreement with Mason’s position. The letter will be drafted by Interim General Counsel Jim Plunkett, who also served as special counsel on the arena bond issue.
While the commission does not control the arena’s name, former mayor Bob Young said after the meeting that the commission could vote to remove coliseum authority members if seven commissioners agree.
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Commission OKs waste hauling contract
In other business, the commission unanimously approved a five-year contract with one of Augusta’s two waste haulers, Coastal Waste & Recycling, to service the entire county. Commissioner Tina Slendak was absent.
Engineering and Environmental Services Director Hameed Malik said the company’s proposal will cost the city a net $19 million per year. The price for residential customers has not been determined.
Commissioner Jordan Johnson questioned whether a single hauler could serve the entire county, after Malik previously recommended the need for two.
“Maybe we can get the owner of the company to come up and maybe speak to some of these questions,” Johnson said.
An unidentified Coastal representative, who has attended recent meetings with city lobbyist Butch Gallop, declined to answer questions during the meeting or after the vote.
Mayor Garnett Johnson said the city’s procurement committee deemed Coastal’s bid the best value. The process remained open until Tuesday’s vote, with public participation by bidders typically restricted.
Under the new contract, which starts Aug. 1, customers must negotiate separately with Coastal for collection of recyclable materials, Malik said.
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Department realignment moves forward
In other action, the commission approved making part of the 2026 budget a proposed department “realignment plan” that separates Engineering from Environmental Services and moves grounds maintenance functions from Central Services, Recreation and Parks and Engineering into their own department.
“Go out 15th street and look at your medians, ditches and retention ponds and you tell me what we’ve been doing is working,” Johnson said.
