Despite delays and rising costs, The Classic Center Arena will provide economic boost
By Sarah Coyne
Mayor Kelly Girtz addresses the finances of The Classic Center Arena at a news conference at the University of Georgia on Dec. 1. (Photo/ Sarah Coyne)
Despite rising costs and construction delays, The Classic City Arena will make a significant impact on Athens-Clarke County. . The new arena, which sits directly behind The Classic Center on Foundry Street, is now set to open August 2024, according to Mayor Kelly Girtz who answered questions about the venue at a recent news conference on Friday.
Confidence in The Classic Center Arena’s construction has been impacted due to recent delays with the opening being pushed back to August 2024, more than two years after its breaking ground ceremony.
“I’m frustrated with the rising price of every project we’re doing,” said Mayor Kelly Girtz.
The Classic Center Arena could help the local governments’ fight to increase affordable housing and help the current poverty rate percentage.
“We wanted to see the arena be a foundation for higher wages for people in the service sector in Athens,” said the mayor.
In an attempt to help the percentage of individuals living in poverty in Athens-Clarke County, the new arena is set to create an estimated 600 new jobs. All jobs provided by the arena, as well as jobs in private developments will rise to the living wage, calculated by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Living Wage Calculator.
Along with the creation of new jobs, the arena will provide a $33 million annual economic impact. Officials expect the arena to pay for itself in less than three years.
Lillian, a fourth-year International affairs student at the University of Georgia, has been living next to the construction site for almost a year. She expressed concerns over the noise and overall disruption to her daily life from the construction.
“I’m not really convinced that it’s ever going to be done to be honest, because ever since I moved in here, it’s been under construction and honestly, you can’t see that much physical construction going on,” she said.
The Classic Center Arena is directly east of the pavilion and north of the transit center. With the ability to hold up thousands of guests, the space will draw in events such as hockey games, concerts and as well as performances such as Disney on Ice.
Why I Wrote the Story:
I wrote this story to show the impact The Classic City Arena will have on Athens-Clarke County.
Keywords: Athens-Clarke County, Economy, Jobs