Some people may have been confused at seeing allocations of $16.5 million for Cyber Center parking and $25 million set aside for the New James Brown Arena. In terms of the Cyber Center parking garage, commissioners want the public to know that the allocation is not to replace or enlarge the existing garage. In terms of the arena allocation, well, the explanation is a bit tricky.
When Gov. Brian Kemp announced the new Georgia Cyber Center, the city had to scramble to be in on the deal, so city officials decided that Augusta would build the parking deck. District 7 Commissioner Sean Frantom says the opportunity for economic growth with the Cyber Center was a deal the city simply could not pass up.
“When the governor brought those two buildings to Augusta, we knew that we had to have skin in the game, so to speak,” says Frantom.
So, the city built the parking deck, and now it’s time to pay for it.
Frantom says the SPLOST 8 allocation is simply to pay off the bonds that were taken out over a seven-year period.
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In terms of the new James Brown Arena, the commission is taking a bit of a risk.
The new arena, which will seat 10,000 people, is expected to cost $228 million. The public will have the final vote on that later this year. The $25 million allocated through SPLOST 8 is seed money to help jump start the venture.
“They have already spent money on renderings, development plans and stuff like soil sampling,” Frantom says, “so the Splost money is there to help the process along.”
But what if the voters approve SPLOST 8, but then later turn down a general obligation bond to build the arena later? Frantom admits the city is taking a bit of a risk.
“I really don’t know what we would do if the G.O. bond referendum failed,” Frantom concedes. ”That is why I really would like to see the arena on the November ballot, so the public can go ahead and make the decision and we will know how to proceed.”
In terms of that “seed money” through SPLOST, Frantom says it will be up to the developer on how to use those funds.
Scott Hudson is the Managing Editor of The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
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