Augusta Marriott proposes $18 million expansion of convention center; commissioners signal support
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Summary
Hospitality leaders asked the commission to fund an approximately $18 million expansion to add a third bay at the Augusta Convention Center to increase capacity and economic impact; commissioners generally voiced support and asked staff to include the project in SPLOST recommendations.
Representatives from the Augusta Marriott and its development partner presented a revised cost estimate to expand the Augusta Convention Center by one bay and increase total rentable space to roughly 50,000–57,000 square feet. Derek May said the group had originally sought more than $40 million but worked with the convention center's design team, RW Allen, to find a lower‑cost option. "In order to increase at least one bay...it would be estimated approximately $18,000,000," May said.
Speakers said a third bay would permit larger events and simultaneous events (for example, increasing basketball court capacity for tournaments such as Peach Jam). The presenters estimated the convention center has generated more than $200,000,000 in economic impact since opening in 2013, with annual impacts of about $28 million to $31 million in recent years.
Commissioners largely signaled support. Mayor Pro Tem Wayne Guilfoyle said downtown improvements drive economic value, and other commissioners asked staff to consider the request in the SPLOST package. No vote was taken; staff said the convention center expansion is a candidate for inclusion pending final SPLOST prioritization and balancing against other requests.
