The old James Brown Arena is no more, and crews continue the step-by-step process to prepare the site for the construction of the new arena.
News crews were given a walk-through at the now-empty tract where the new arena will be built.
John Rawlins, project manager with Nations Group, said the current step is using engineered backfill materials in what used to be the old arena’s basement. The material has a better compaction rating. Rollers are then used to help complete the process.
“We’ve got a special inspection sub (contractor) out here as well that’s performing compaction testing,” said Rawlins. “Once it meets the specified requirements of the structural engineering design, they’ll begin their deep foundation work, which will begin with micropiles and rammed aggregate piers to create the foundation for what will begin to be the base of the new arena.”
The new construction will sit flush on the ground, unlike the original arena, that had a lower level. The redesign eliminates a chronic problem the old arena had with the water table, which is 12 to 18 feet below the surface.
“The last arena did have to have pumps in it running because you had a basement, whereas this arena, now the new event level, or lowest level of the arena, will be at grade,” explained Wojciech Sadej, a superintendent with PCL Construction. “So, what you’re standing on right now will be the event level. There is still some waterproofing that goes into some things like the elevator pits, but there will be no longer a need for the constant pumping out of water that was in a so-called basement.”
Rawlins said the footprint of the new arena will be slightly different. The JBA extended out farther toward 7th Street. The new one sits back more to allow for the construction of the connector to the Bell Auditorium.
“If you drew a line just to the right there for the new addition to the Bell, that Grand Hall, and drew it straight out, that’s the limits of the new arena,” he said. “Then you’ll have a green space in here for events, almost like a park, or if they’re to have any sort of other events, but a big open space here to socialize before you go in, either to the arena, to your show or other events you may have outside the arena.”
At some point, that section of 7th Street will be closed to allow work on the new sanitary sewer line. It is being routed around the new arena. The date for that has not been set.
More than the configuration of the building has changed. While under construction, it is being called the Augusta Arena. Katie Berube, Oakview Group Director of Partnerships, said they have been contacted by companies interested in buying the naming rights.
Berube and Brad Usry, Vice Chairman of the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority, said Brown will be honored in some way at the new arena. However, changing the name got immediate pushback on social media, including from Deanna Brown, his daughter, and Jordan Johnson, Commissioner of District One, which is where the arena is located.
Usry also said they are still committed to bringing hockey back to Augusta. He anticipates more details will be released in the near future.
“We want to keep this in the public eye because we’re proud of it. We’ve worked hard to get here,” he said. “Like somebody asked out there, when is it going vertical? We can’t wait. We’re just as antsy as you guys are for that to happen.”
Rawlins said, once the foundation work is complete, they will begin creating the skeletal construction, followed by exterior walls. He anticipates that it will happen by the end of this year.
The arena is still on schedule to be opened in Spring 2027.
You can follow the progress at https://newaugustaarena.com/
