[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6161524,"mediaKeyId","5441731-7bcc2abeab1408ef26e08db0b9b4f3d5","parentId",5441731,"title","Commission orders hearing on Maxwell House after tenant complaints of rotten elevators, pests and mold","audioSeconds",837,"startMs",2457000,"endMs",3294000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5441731-7bcc2abeab1408ef26e08db0b9b4f3d5&start=2457&end=3294","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5441731-7bcc2abeab1408ef26e08db0b9b4f3d5/thumbnail_2457000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6161524/Augusta-City/Richmond-County/Georgia/Commission-orders-hearing-on-Maxwell-House-after-tenant-complaints-of-rotten-elevators-pests-and-mold","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161524-e1ee12e8f3904a60af97a6c8accc9f27/orig.mp4?Expires=1775632439&Signature=WNV6kMZxScrhyDP9T-0cvdjRTntG7MR~6V8e37-2MyZEXaRrPpwmo1yO4Cv9ya1dXEd796isLn7cP5ZBSLlSPP-zPPp2Mz~~o9cQc95nh7x2sOQziH-vTG6lMycVvluyTU189nHDabVXXSUuY7-f-xWZHbKMDhzVE5krZ-vJtel2rpXjTP8V3UMMGg9i3D45LmGf0VtmCwoEldbakzOKM771S8OXNmXcpxMY9f8vCj3a2CrPWmU8h4AFaAqIYzh4mUl6kQHSP2bqIy-rtMPzGzyUV3yWylk4eV73lDT8erA5s2gnAbJMvWCt2BViA~GV0md6~IpjTbacM2F13-uXJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-22T23:37:54.357Z","article","Augusta commissioners on July 20 directed staff to hold a hearing to determine whether to revoke the business license of Maxwell House apartments after multiple residents reported unsafe living conditions, broken elevators and pest infestations.

Resident Yolanda Brooks told the commission she had collected more than 56 tenant signatures and described months of problems including two nonworking elevators (she said both elevators had been out for about three weeks), rodent infestations, persistent mold, peeling walls and a lack of maintenance. Brooks said building management had urged tenants to “check on each other” and that some residents — including elderly tenants and home-care aides — could not practically access upper floors because elevators were inoperable.

Officials’ findings and steps: Fire and code officials said the building’s common areas are under local jurisdiction while elevators fall under the Georgia State Fire Marshal. Fire Department and code staff reported the elevators were rendered inoperable after a July 6 fire and that the property had an executed contract with an elevator service (Otis) to replace parts. Otis’ project manager told the fire chief that replacement parts were scheduled to arrive the week following the meeting and that crews would work extended hours after parts arrived.

Code enforcement staff reported recent visits and said common-area ambient temperatures were sufficient at the time of inspection and that management had filed plans of correction after earlier inspections. Commissioners and staff said they had been in regular contact with the management company and the regional management team.

Action taken by the commission: Commissioner Jordan Johnson moved — and the commission approved unanimously — a motion directing staff to conduct a hearing to consider revoking the Maxwell House business license. Attorney Turner Plunkett advised that the governing body could direct the law department to schedule a hearing and that if later investigation produced material reasons not to proceed the hearing could be cancelled; commissioners said they wanted the hearing scheduled to provide notice and to give the owner an opportunity to respond.

Why it matters: Tenants said conditions were life‑affecting: elderly residents who cannot climb multiple flights, tenants reporting rats inside walls, and a resident describing a three‑year‑old who asked whether they would have to use stairs that day. Commissioners expressed alarm after visiting the building and hearing residents’ accounts, and raised the possibility of temporary housing assistance if residents could not safely access their units while repairs were made.

Next steps and follow-up: The law department agreed to work with code enforcement and the fire department and to return to the commission the following week with options and a schedule for the hearing. Commissioners asked staff to (1) attempt to secure the property owner’s presence at the August 5 meeting alongside the owners of other troubled properties, (2) provide past code-enforcement inspection reports and (3) pursue emergency relocation options or temporary housing vouchers if residents are displaced while repairs are completed.

Ending: Commissioners thanked tenant advocates and said staff would act promptly to investigate, notify the owner, schedule a hearing and, if necessary, pursue temporary relocation assistance for impacted tenants.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Augusta Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Following persistent tenant complaints about broken elevators, infestations and unsafe conditions at the Maxwell House apartments, the Augusta Commission voted to hold a hearing to consider revoking the property’s business license and asked legal and code staff to investigate and report back.","taxTitle","Augusta City, Richmond County, Georgia","taxId",3794,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6161529,"Augusta Commission appoints Tanya Barnhill to fill District 4 vacancy; special election set for Nov. 4",325,3007000,3332000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5441731-7bcc2abeab1408ef26e08db0b9b4f3d5&start=3007&end=3332","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5441731-7bcc2abeab1408ef26e08db0b9b4f3d5/thumbnail_3007000.jpg","/articles/6161529/Augusta-City/Richmond-County/Georgia/Augusta-Commission-appoints-Tanya-Barnhill-to-fill-District-4-vacancy-special-election-set-for-Nov-4","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161529-69c12e227e716f54c27334f01f61e5ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1775632439&Signature=F2t6F6pGO3bD4NNJYfaI5qyTxA3rAURAsh9e~JuyPby4hXqmWbPuv-oO1MnpDIR6qGL7QBtrFvpPfBon9IQHTsNm9E81zLboJ~dJmnua1~F0KI~oC46cFcJx4Gn-ASAN9PzAgKcqljwZA1WLZ7OulWyhXDMMhhC69ebRRhf5Q0J0q6dlNQhlfapE0V9-BHuA3akFWyPSPgrznB~QRLaOQrv55p64GcJYUwlwmGWGADaM0L4JnPvbCEo8OHAjTCJ62~63S3ODgIE4-ScesYB1XRwZcCdo2nWLrcYLEyqYQN05OMhFuH6TWd0ma4FuOZmsQgaWSxSffIlSaQzoyTRKbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Augusta Commission on July 20 appointed Tanya Barnhill to fill the District 4 vacancy created by the resignation of Commissioner Alvin Mason.

Commissioners opened nominations for the vacancy. Commissioner Francine Scott nominated Augustus Palmer; Commissioner Don Clark nominated Tanya Barnhill. After a vote on the first nominee failed, the commission voted to appoint Barnhill by a recorded council vote and she accepted the appointment.

Why it matters: Barnhill will serve on the commission immediately in an interim capacity and the commission also adopted a resolution calling a special election to fill the remainder of the seat through the end of the term. Director Travis Doss of the Richmond County Board of Elections advised the commission that state law and local procedure require an interim appointment when a vacancy occurs with more than 12 months remaining in the term, and that a special election may be held on a September or November special-election date; the commission set November 4, 2025, as the special-election date.

Vote and process: The commission conducted votes in the order nominations were made. The motion to appoint Augustus Palmer failed. The nomination and appointment of Tanya Barnhill carried: the clerk recorded the final vote as 6 yes, 3 no, and 1 abstention (outcome: approved). The commission directed staff to arrange an oath and administrative paperwork so Barnhill could be sworn in when convenient.

Barnhill’s remarks: After the vote, Barnhill thanked supporters and said she did not take the appointment lightly, noting she would represent District 4 residents. The mayor congratulated Barnhill and advised her to coordinate with legal staff to schedule the formal swearing-in.

Special election schedule: County elections director Travis Doss told commissioners that, because Mason’s term extended beyond 12 months (term expiration cited as Dec. 31, 2026), state law requires an interim appointment until a special election. The board of elections confirmed the next practical special-election date is Nov. 4, 2025, which the commission approved; doing so avoids the higher cost of holding a standalone election in September, the director said.

Next steps: The commission instructed legal staff to prepare and circulate the resolution calling the Nov. 4, 2025 special election. Barnhill will coordinate with legal staff to complete oath paperwork and formally take her seat.

Ending: The commission’s action was presented publicly; several commissioners asked staff to ensure the Board of Elections has the adopted resolution and that calendar and qualifying deadlines are met.","After nominations and two rounds of voting, the Augusta Commission appointed Tanya Barnhill to replace Alvin Mason in Commission District 4. The commission also moved to call a special election for Nov. 4, 2025, to fill the remainder of the term.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6161534,"Coliseum Authority says naming rights sold; family, commissioners press for clarity on ‘James Brown’ use",1325,1112000,2437000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5441731-7bcc2abeab1408ef26e08db0b9b4f3d5&start=1112&end=2437","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5441731-7bcc2abeab1408ef26e08db0b9b4f3d5/thumbnail_1112000.jpg","/articles/6161534/Augusta-City/Richmond-County/Georgia/Coliseum-Authority-says-naming-rights-sold-family-commissioners-press-for-clarity-on-James-Brown-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161534-6a10de4948d563d25a446b26e6db71e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775632439&Signature=UygeFs6cKcby6cH-GpmX9u~nOwn1QILKZlnRig-pleZeCaxbbalM7mt1Z80f9T0prsov3-0mVZ6tzL~QRjtBqK3bj2vnxCSfVfo-NqMi0Z-qSe-9mZG-nsOcOJHJCCrhb-rxZQRAb2qfUuEtJWdBGhEHmJLbC5vPThax1eGXUQ~1XY-DvBgT3mqYBWI0Z1taLIOkdOizeuL1MXhwmCoOUHZltaWpvBH5WWyNo-vxTVhm99mO1q8cjF6jx8R2KmBtYD5EjIpURFQfIT1OOeTwfyH0TxUI1AoiwibGC4RzMj36GfsvnACwD9cDZClP5hqAKgrvacbOLPh05EPUqLz20w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Augusta Coliseum Authority told the Augusta Commission on July 20 that naming rights for the new arena were sold and that legal and commercial constraints influenced what the authority can publicly call the facility.

Chairman Cedric Johnson, appearing before the commission, said renderings and ballots used in earlier public outreach sometimes showed “James Brown Arena,” but that between 2021 and 2023 the authority learned naming-rights agreements had been negotiated and that the authority was advised it could not continue using the James Brown name without written permission from the rights holder.

Johnson told the commission the Bell Auditorium project had more than 32% minority participation and 90% local participation and defended the authority’s record on contracting and outreach. He said arena operators commonly pursue naming rights to supplement operating revenue and avoid future taxpayer subsidies.

Why it matters: commissioners and members of the public have urged the authority to preserve James Brown’s legacy and be transparent about any contracts that affect use of his name. That public pressure has grown after petition drives and public comment asking that the arena retain the James Brown name.

At the meeting, Deanna Brown Thomas, identified herself as a daughter of James Brown, thanked the body for a prior letter of solidarity and urged the commission and the Coliseum Authority to “give the voters what the voters voted for” and “make the James Brown Arena the James Brown Arena in perpetuity.” She said the family is willing to provide whatever paperwork is needed and suggested she and representatives of the rights holder had previously discussed formalizing any permissions in writing.

Several commissioners asked for documentation. Johnson said members of the community and the Coliseum Authority have discussed naming rights with the entity that controls use of James Brown’s name and that he had spoken with the rights holder; he also said no one had produced written documentation to the authority showing a prohibition and asked anyone with paperwork to provide it to the authority. Johnson said the authority offered the rights holder a right of first refusal on naming-rights proposals and that the rights holder had declined that offer but stated it would allow third parties to use the name if a purchaser of naming-rights payments agreed.

Commissioners asked for follow-up and clearer communication. Commissioner Don Clark and others emphasized the community’s emotional attachment and asked for regular updates so the public understands whether the arena name can remain James Brown Arena, whether naming rights could apply to the whole entertainment complex, or if commercial partners would instead use a combined brand (for example, a corporate sponsor’s name paired with an honorific for James Brown).

What commissioners asked the authority to do: Commissioners asked that the Coliseum Authority provide the commission with copies of any contracts, agreements, or written statements from the rights holder and to brief the commission as conversations progress. Chairman Johnson said the Coliseum Authority intends to return with more regular updates and pledged to “make sure his legacy is honored.”

Community response: The commission invited public comment. Deanna Brown Thomas said the family would be willing to provide documentation (she said she would ask the rights holder, referenced in public statements as “Prime Wade”/“primary wave”) to the commission if needed. She said that James Brown accepted recognition during his lifetime and that removing his name after his death would be unacceptable to the family and the community.

What the authority says about finances and hockey: Johnson told the commission the authority expects naming-rights revenue could range from about $1 million to $1.2 million per year, revenue the authority said would help subsidize operations and reduce the need for further taxpayer support. He also said the Coliseum Authority had considered hosting hockey at the arena after receiving professional assessments that such programming would support the venue’s financial sustainability; he said he personally opposed hockey but agreed to follow the recommendation of professional consultants if they showed community benefit.

Next steps: Commissioners asked the Coliseum Authority to (1) share any written materials from the rights holder or contracts, (2) provide the commission with regular updates on naming-rights negotiations, and (3) return to the commission with additional information about the financial assumptions behind naming-rights projections and how any naming arrangement would preserve or recognize James Brown’s legacy.

Ending: Chairman Johnson thanked commission members and Coliseum Authority members in attendance and reiterated the authority’s stated goal of balancing honoring James Brown’s legacy with the need to generate revenue to avoid future taxpayer asks.","Coliseum Authority chair Cedric Johnson told the Augusta Commission the new arena’s naming rights were sold and the authority is seeking ways to honor James Brown while offsetting operating costs. James Brown’s daughter and several commissioners pressed for documentation or a written agreement about use of the name.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission orders hearing on Maxwell House after tenant complaints of rotten elevators, pests and mold

Augusta Commission appoints Tanya Barnhill to fill District 4 vacancy; special election set for Nov. 4

Coliseum Authority says naming rights sold; family, commissioners press for clarity on ‘James Brown’ use