Augusta Leaders Push to Retain James Brown Arena Name

News Summary

Augusta Commissioners are advocating for the preservation of the ‘James Brown Arena’ name amidst attempts by the Coliseum Authority to rebrand it. Commissioner Alvin Mason raised concerns about misleading voters regarding funding for the new arena while emphasizing the cultural significance of James Brown’s legacy. A unanimous decision to send a letter urging the name’s retention reflects the broader sentiment among city leaders who see the removal of the name as a loss for the community. With support from various commissioners and the mayor, efforts to honor the music icon’s impact continue as construction progresses.

Augusta – Augusta Commissioners are advocating to retain the name “James Brown Arena,” amidst controversy with the Coliseum Authority’s recent announcement to rebrand the new arena as “New Augusta Arena.” Commissioner Alvin Mason expressed significant dissatisfaction with the name change, accusing the authority of misleading the voters of Augusta-Richmond County. This pushback comes after the Coliseum Authority had previously used the James Brown name to gain public support for a sales tax meant to fund the new building.

Mason’s claims suggest that the Coliseum Authority has acted dishonestly in obtaining funding by invoking the legacy of the late music icon, who is known as the “Godfather of Soul.” Augusta Commissioners unanimously supported a motion to send a letter to the Coliseum Authority, urging that the name James Brown Arena be maintained. This decision aligns with a broader sentiment among city leaders who recognize the historical and cultural significance of the name for the city.

Commissioner Francine Scott emphasized the importance of preserving James Brown’s legacy and acknowledging the rich history of music associated with the arena. The Commission’s stance articulates a shared concern that the removal of James Brown’s name would strip away an essential element tied to the identity of the venue and the community it serves.

The discussion about the James Brown Arena coincided with a vote on a new $19 million garbage service contract that moves the city from a dual hauler system to a single hauler model. In this change, residents who wish to continue receiving recycling services will need to negotiate a separate agreement directly with the hauler, introducing a monthly fee for those interested. Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice raised concerns regarding the city’s waste management and recycling strategies, further indicating that there remain pressing issues for the city beyond the arena’s naming.

Amidst the ongoing discussions about the arena’s name, several conflicting suggestions from the Coliseum Authority have surfaced. Initially, the authority proposed selling naming rights for the new arena, contradicting earlier assurances that the James Brown name would be preserved. Previous historical renderings of the new building prominently displayed James Brown’s name, but recent views have increasingly leaned towards referring to it as the “Augusta Entertainment Complex” or simply as the “new arena.”

Adding to the controversy, a meeting involving the Coliseum Authority showed an intention to drop the James Brown name, which has drawn ire from local leaders and community members. Although the family of James Brown had initially sold naming rights to an external company, this entity has since emphasized its commitment to honoring Brown’s legacy and preserving his influence in the arena’s identity.

Support for retaining the James Brown name isn’t limited to individual commissioners. Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson and Commissioner Brandon Garrett have also voiced their support for keeping the name, reinforcing the collective stance of the Augusta Commission regarding this matter. In light of this, commissioners have voted to instruct the city attorney to draft a letter expressing solidarity and urging for the name to remain entrenched in the arena’s future.

As construction on the new arena progresses, the foundation is anticipated to be visible by the end of the year. The actions taken by the Augusta Commission reflect not only a strong local commitment to honoring James Brown’s legacy but also a concerted effort to maintain civic pride through heritage and cultural recognition.

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Additional Resources

• WJBF: Augusta OKs New Garbage Deal Trashes Dropping James Brown from Arena Name
• The Augusta Press: Augusta Commission Votes to Support Keeping James Brown Arena Name
• WRDW: We Voted JBA City Leaders Fight Name Change New Arena
• Augusta Chronicle: Update on New James Brown Arena in Augusta
• WRDW: Augusta Commissioners Want to Keep James Brown Name New Arena
• Wikipedia: James Brown